El Niño Could Bring More Great White Sharks to California Beaches
Summary
Researchers and California wildlife officials say El Niño’s warmer ocean conditions could keep juvenile great white sharks near California beaches later in the year and may help them range farther north. Officials and researchers have reported more sightings and increased shark numbers in some Southern California survey areas in 2026, but say it is too early to determine how long sharks will remain or how much warming explains the increase.Key Facts
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife scientist Elizabeth Hellmers said social media reports and drone footage showed increased juvenile white shark activity off Southern California beaches in 2026.
- Juvenile great white sharks commonly stay near Southern California shores from about April through October, according to Hellmers.
- Hellmers said current water conditions and late-fall and winter forecasts suggest sharks may continue to be present in nearshore waters, but it is too early to know whether they will stay later than usual.
- Researchers have reported juvenile sharks farther north, including around Monterey, during warm-water years.
- The Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory’s SharkEye drone program recorded more white sharks in its Carpinteria survey area in 2026 than in recent years.
- Researcher Neil Nathan said an earlier marine heatwave and warmer temperatures associated with emerging El Niño conditions may have contributed to the increase.
- Nathan said his team is still analyzing eight years of data to assess how much sea temperature changes explain the 2026 increase.
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