There’s some-fin cool happening in Coronado. The city has teamed up with California State University Long Beach’s Shark Lab to install two new, state-of-the-art buoys off the coast to track + study local shark populations.

Let’s dive into how this works, with a little help from Coronado Lifeguard Capt. Sean Carey.

What do the buoys do?

The buoys are outfitted with solar-powered receiver technology that detects sharks that have been tagged by researchers. The tech is used to better understand shark behavior patterns.

“Anytime a tagged shark passes within about 500 meters of one of these buoys, the buoy is going to record the detection — and it’s going to tell us which shark it was, based on that tag number,” Carey explained.

The data is recorded by the lab and shared with Coronado lifeguards in real-time via an online database + app that sends alerts.

Where are the tagged sharks + buoys?

Over the past seven years, the Shark Lab has tagged 175+ white sharks with active transmitters from Morro Bay to San Diego.

In November 2020, researchers began a 3-month process to tag seven sharks in Coronado. Carey said those sharks have all since scattered, with two of them migrating north to Del Mar.

Since the Coronado buoys were installed, there have been no shark detections. Carey said it’s hard to say why the tagged sharks have moved away, but thinks it may have to do with a diminished stingray population — their favorite food source. This doesn’t mean there aren’t sharks in Coronado, though — just not the tagged ones right now.

In San Diego County, these bright yellow buoys have only been installed at two beaches: Del Mar and, as of last month, Coronado.

Carey said the Coronado buoys were installed between 300-400 yards offshore, and depending on the tide, “well beyond where the surfers are catching waves.” One is in front of the city’s main lifeguard tower, while the other is off the southern end of Hotel del Coronado. These two locations were chosen because they span most of the area.

“We have almost the entire beach covered,” Carey added.

The other buoys in the Shark Lab’s California network are off Carpinteria, Long Beach + Huntington Beach.

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EVENTS

Today

Being As An Ocean | Fri., Jan. 14 | 7 p.m. | SOMA San Diego | $16+ | Rock out with the hardcore punk band — true locals from Alpine — with guests Capstan, Thousand Below + LIMBS. 🎸
One More Time: A Tribute to Daft Punk | Fri., Jan. 14 | 9 p.m. | Music Box | $17 | Donning chromed helmets and all, this act pays homage to the beloved French electronic + dance music duo. ⚡

Saturday

Kids Marathon Mile at LEGOLAND | Sat., Jan. 15 | 6:30 a.m. | LEGOLAND California | $30+ | A 1-mile fun run/walk for all ages + abilities. 👟
Mike Xavier Presents: Hip-Hop + Poetry Night | Sat., Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. | Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd. | $22.59 | A curated lineup of spoken word and hip-hop artists hitting their flow live. 🎤

Monday

10 Cooking Skills for the New Year | Mon., Jan. 17 | 10 a.m. | Sur La Table in Fashion Valley | $79 | Sharpen 10 techniques in the kitchen — from roasting veggies to dry-brining protein — while creating dishes like herb-brined chicken + creamy risotto. 🍗

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH IN SAN DIEGO

Note: COVID-19 protocols are changing rapidly to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in San Diego. Please make sure to check event listing pages + venue websites for the most up-to-date information.

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NEWS NOTES

Weather

68º | Mostly cloudy | 2% chance of rain
Did you feel the 3.9 magnitude earthquake that shook near Anza-Borrego Wednesday night? If so, make sure to let the United States Geological Survey know. (CBS 8)

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:51 a.m.
Set: 5:05 p.m.

Tide

Low: 12:26 a.m. + 2:11 p.m.
High: 6:48 a.m. + 8:44 p.m.

Civic

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. County offices, family resource centers, library branches + animal shelters will be closed in observance. Check out the San Diego Union-Tribune’s list of service days + events to celebrate. 🗓️
San Diego’s home “mini-restaurants” are here to stay — for now. On Tuesday, county officials approved a temporary ordinance that allows “MEHKOs” — or microenterprise home kitchen operators — to sell freshly cooked meals from home kitchens. MEHKOs can sell up to 30 meals per day + a max of 60 per week. 🍲 (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Community

After months of repairs, the Front Street underpass at the Federal Office Building in downtown San Diego reopens Sat., Jan. 15. All vehicle lanes, as well as improved pedestrian lanes + crosswalks, will be up and running again at 7 p.m. 👟 (Times of San Diego)

Shop

Say hello to the Hello Kitty Café Truck, which will visit the Shoppes at Carlsbad tomorrow from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. This will be one of three chances between now and Sat., Feb. 19, to pick some adorable (see: ‘grammable) desserts + merch. 🎀 (NBC 7)

📸 @vangoghsandiego

“Beyond Van Gogh: San Diego” — an immersive exhibition that takes you deep into 300+ artworks created by Vincent van Gogh (yes, this includes the iconic “Starry Night”) — debuts today at the Wyland Center at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

As visitors meander through the masterpieces, a symphonic score plays along, adding to the unique experience. Entry is timed, so each visit lasts about one hour.

Ready to Gogh?

It’s all in the details:

📍 Where: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar

🗓️ When: Runs through Sun., March 6

🎟️ Tickets: $36.99+

✅ COVID-19 safety: Masks required

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THE WRAP

Editor's pick: Happy Friday. Monica here, daydreaming of our stunning shorelines. For me, something about our beaches just feels like the ultimate reset on the weekends — I love the sound of the ocean. Some of my favorite spots: La Jolla Shores + Ocean Beach. Michael loves Pacific Beach + Encinitas. And the fact that we can enjoy them in this 70-degree “wintry” weather? Well, that’s just beachy. Enjoy your weekend, San Diego.

Missed yesterday's newsletter? A non-beer tour of our city's tasting rooms

Today's Edition by:

Monica

SDtoday Team

Editorial: Monica, Michael, Trevor, Britt, Dayten

Sales: Rachel

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