A 26-year-old surfer has died after he was attacked by a shark at Manresa State Beach.
He has been identified as surfboard maker Ben Kelly.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation said the incident happened about five miles west of Watsonville at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
"It was about one mile south of the main parking lot at Manresa," California State Parks Public Safety Superintendent Gabe McKenna told KCBS Radio. "We were notified of the incident. We had a state park lifeguard that was on a routine vehicle patrol on the beach and was flagged down by a citizen regarding the shark incident."
Officials said the water off of the beach where Kelly was attacked will be closed until Thursday, aligning with protocol.
"Obviously there are immediate public safety issues with clearing the water, which we did immediately," McKenna said.
Kelly was attacked about 100 yards offshore by an "unknown shark species" and was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Sharks are naturally occuring in the ecosystem in Monterey Bay, but attacks are uncommon," McKenna said.
Beachgoers are advised to avoid the area.