Foster City's usually calm lagoon turned tense today after an unidentified marine animal bit a person in the water, prompting a police response and fresh warnings for anyone heading out onto the canals. The incident happened near Shearwater Isle, one of the narrow channels that cut through the city’s residential neighborhoods and parks. Police say they still do not know what kind of animal was involved and want to hear from anyone who saw the encounter or noticed unusual animal behavior in the area.
What the police reported
In a news release, the Foster City Police Department said an unidentified marine animal bit a person near Shearwater Isle and that the species has not been confirmed, according to East Bay Times. Investigators said they will share more details if and when they have them and urged any witnesses to come forward. Police did not immediately release information on the person’s injuries or the exact time the bite occurred.
Where it happened
The Foster City Lagoon is an engineered, 212-acre interior waterway that averages about six feet deep and is managed for both flood control and recreation. Boating, paddleboarding and fishing are allowed on the lagoon, which loops through neighborhoods and has many public access points. That mix of recreation and wildlife means people and animals can end up uncomfortably close, especially in tighter spots such as Shearwater Isle.
How to stay safe
Wildlife experts urge people not to approach or try to touch marine mammals and to give any animals resting on shore plenty of space. The Marine Mammal Center recommends staying at least 150 feet away and calling trained responders if an animal appears injured, according to The Marine Mammal Center. Clinicians note that bites from pinnipeds and other marine animals can transmit unusual bacteria and may require specific antibiotics, according to Wilderness & Environmental Medicine.
Why officials are watching
Bites by seals or sea lions in San Francisco Bay have been reported before but remain rare, and authorities say documenting sightings helps them evaluate any public safety risk. NOAA Fisheries maintains guidance on how to respond if you encounter distressed or entangled marine life and operates a West Coast stranding hotline for reports, according to NOAA Fisheries. Foster City Police say they will continue investigating the lagoon bite and will share updates as new information comes in.
