© Mark Schwartz
While trying to rescue the fish, which some called a white shark and others said was a salmon shark, near 34th Avenue about 6 p.m., Pelagic Research Shark Foundation Executive Director Sean Van Sommeran said large waves were hurting the animal's chances to escape to sea.
Later Friday, Van Sommeran said he did not think the shark would survive as waves up to 11 feet pounded the point. "The shark's still there," Van Sommeran said shortly before 8 p.m. "The swell keeps washing it back in after we released it twice."
If the fish dies, its carcass likely would be hauled to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife facility, Van Sommeran said.
Van Sommeran said the male shark was stuck in an area submerged at high tide, which was about 9:30 p.m. Friday, and that, too, would complicate the rescue. Although the high water would submerge the beach, it may not be enough to free the shark, Van Sommeran said. High tide also would restrict the rescuers' access to the animal.
The rescuer advised observers not to get so close to the shark, but many already had done so Friday afternoon, taking pictures of the large animal.
"It's not helping," Van Sommeran said. He said he also believes the shark is sick.
Mark Shwartz of Santa Cruz was among the first witnesses of the stranded shark. Shwartz saw the animal during his regular walk at East Cliff Drive about 5:15 p.m. Friday.
"At first, I didn't know what it was. I thought maybe it was a dolphin," Shwartz said. "When I got close, it was clearly a shark. It was flailing and there was a photographer at the water. I bet he got some interesting photos."
Shwartz also filmed a video, which is posted on youtube.com, of the animal struggling in shallow water.
Two Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office patrol units went to the site and told bystanders on loudspeakers to stay clear of the shark, Shwartz said. Within an hour, the gathering grew to a crowd of nearly 50 people.
Shwartz said only an amateur photographer was close to the animal before rescuers arrived. Van Sommeran said he was dispatched by officials from California Fish and Wildlife.
"I don't think there was anything that could be done to save it," Shwartz said. "Something was wrong. I don't know if it was injured or sick."
The animal was stranded during a rising tide; low tide was about 3 p.m., according to surfline.com.
A 911 call for assistance was made about 5:30 p.m. with the caller concerned about people taking photos of the animal.
Central Fire Battalion Chief Anthony Cefaloni said the district's firefighters were called to the scene about 5:45 p.m.
"There's nobody injured so there isn't anything we can do about it," Cefaloni said.
Comment: SFGate reports the shark has died: