Mendocino Area Parks Association and California State Parks Post Warning on Facebook
IMPORTANT STATE PARK ANNOUNCEMENT:
Due to a shark incident on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at approximately 5:00 PM, Big River Beach was closed to the public in accordance with department policy. The beach is scheduled to reopen today, March 20, 2026, at approximately 5:00 PM
The closure followed standard California State Parks protocol, and with no additional shark activity reported since Wednesday’s incident, Big River Beach is expected to reopen as scheduled this evening. The delay between the incident and the public warning has raised understandable questions about how quickly information moves through official channels — and whether communication can be tightened in future events. Officials maintain that conditions are safe for reopening, though many beachgoers will return with a natural mix of relief and caution.
Whatever you do in our wild, beautiful Mendocino, please do it with care, mindfulness, and a watchful eye on the wild.
🦈 ABC News piece featuring CDFW on the Mendocino shark bite
The ABC News national story by Kelly McCarthy includes direct quotes from John Ugoretz, pelagic fisheries and ecosystem program manager at CDFW. He confirms statewide shark‑incident numbers and explains how rare these encounters are.
Key elements from the ABC segment
Identifies the victim (James Eastman, 39) and the location (Big River Beach, Mendocino Headlands State Park).
Includes CDFW’s statement that they collected DNA samples and are investigating the incident.
Notes CDFW’s context: 234 shark‑related incidents in California since 1950.
Mentions that while sharks are mobile, it’s possible the same shark remains in the area.
Frames the attack within the broader uptick in statewide shark encounters.
ABC10 (Sacramento): Confirms CDFW is leading the investigation and collecting evidence.
ABC7 (Bay Area): Covers the attack and closure protocol; no CDFW quotes.
