SHARK ACTIVITY in Sunset Beach led to a 48-hour closure of beach and ocean access (Flickr/Neal Turner).

A section of the Sunset Beach shoreline and ocean in Huntington Beach has been closed down due to shark activity.

At about 3:45 p.m. on Sunday, lifeguards were told of a beached juvenile whale near Tower 22 in Sunset Beach. The whale was still alive, but bite marks were seen on the mammal, who later died.

Beachgoers told the lifeguards of seeing “splashing and aggressive shark activity” before the whale washed ashore.

In response, the shoreline and access to the ocean will be closed for one mile in each direction of the incident for 48 hours, meaning 3:45 p.m. Tuesday.

The Pacific Marine Animal Center and adjacent cities were notified of the incident.