SAN PEDRO, Calif. (KABC) — Anglers along the Southern California coast are reporting rare sightings of marine life typically found in warmer waters, a trend they say has accompanied this year’s El Niño conditions.
At a marina in San Pedro, fishermen returned after a day and a half on the water with what they described as an unusually successful catch.
“Between 15 anglers, it was about 140 tuna fish,” Charlie Burkhardt said.
They say sometimes a good day can produce only 15 to 20 fish.
Fishermen say warmer water associated with El Niño has brought species more commonly found in tropical environments closer to the Southern California coast.
“I came back with a swordfish yesterday, and they’re right off the coast,” angler Brian Dupuis said.
They showed us images of manta rays in Southern California waters.
“They’re also called devil rays, which we normally never see here in our Southern California waters,” said Marc Sonoda, captain of Amigo Sportfishing.
“It happens but pretty rare I’d say once every few years yeah it’s pretty special,” said Harry Roberts of Tackle Express.
Other unusual encounters have been reported farther south along the coast, including a blue marlin caught near Newport.
Another crew recently reported spotting a hammerhead shark, a species that has appeared more frequently during recent years with warm water conditions.
But with these appearances come consequences – some animals getting sick or stranded.
“We’ve seen puffer fish, trigger fish, sea snakes, seahorses. We see more sea turtles pass through our waters and sharks and rays,” said Nate Jaros, vice president of animal care at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
For many fishermen, however, the unusual visitors have made for a season of remarkable sightings and unexpected encounters off the Southern California coast.
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