Why More Hammerhead Sharks Are Popping Up Off Southern California Coast
HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Hammerhead sharks are common in the tropics. But they are also becoming common off the Southern California coast.
On Saturday, Dylan Marks was shark-fishing on his kayak near Malibu when a hammerhead bit his right foot.
On Sunday, Robert Wagner was fishing for yellowtail off Huntington Beach when a 10-foot hammerhead bit the bait ball off. He captured the shark encounter on video.
"This is actually happening. This is rare occurrence and something you don't see every day," Wagner said. "I mean this is one of those fish stories I'll tell for the rest of my life because of how rare it was."
Sharks are not rare in the waters off Southern California, but hammerheads are, said Ralph Collier, a shark expert, who has been researching sharks in California since 1962. He said he has not heard of this many sightings of hammerheads since the 60's.
"These sharks are everywhere they're moving up here following their food because these warmer water fishes are moving up here," said Collier. He believes there are many more hammerheads out there right now off the Southland coast.
Collier said he expects to hear about more hammerhead sightings as the winter approaches.