El Niño draws exotic species to Southern California's coast
Warm water from a strong El Niño is drawing tropical fish and hammerhead sharks to Southern California, Reuters and the Los Angeles Times reported. Reuters put one fishing company's yellowfin tuna catch this year at 5,000, and the Los Angeles Times at more than 5,800, up from two last year. Experts quoted by Reuters say kelp forests could suffer.
Warm water from a strong El Niño is drawing tropical sea creatures to Southern California's coast, Reuters and the Los Angeles Times reported. Anglers are catching tuna, mahi-mahi and wahoo, and hammerhead sharks have been seen, the two news groups reported.
Donna Kalez, who runs Dana Wharf Sportfishing in Dana Point, said her boats have caught 5,000 yellowfin tuna this year, Reuters reported. The Los Angeles Times quoted her as saying they have caught more than 5,800. Reuters and the Los Angeles Times reported that her boats caught only two last year.
A federal fisheries scientist said anglers are catching "fish that should be in Cabo," the Los Angeles Times reported. Marlin fishing is the best since 1990, the paper reported. But the total yellowfin catch is still far below the levels of the strong El Niño of 2014 and 2015, the paper reported. Fewer people are fishing, it said.
Reuters reported other rare visitors. A longfin bigeye fish has been seen in California for the first time, Reuters reported. Olive ridley sea turtles made the first sea turtle nests on the West Coast, at Seal Beach in September and later at Huntington Beach, Reuters reported, citing the federal ocean agency. Yellow-bellied sea snakes and whale sharks have also been spotted, Reuters reported.
The warm water brings risks too, Reuters reported. Kelp forests, which shelter many local fish, can suffer when the sea stays warm, Reuters reported. A marine biologist said young white sharks have been gathering in Santa Monica Bay, according to Reuters. California has declared a state of emergency ahead of the El Niño winter, Reuters reported.
What we know: A strong El Niño has brought tuna, mahi-mahi, hammerhead sharks and other warm-water species to Southern California's coast this year.
What we don't: How long the warm water will last, and how much harm it will do to kelp forests and local sea life.
Where outlets agree Reuters and the Los Angeles Times report that a strong El Niño is bringing tuna, mahi-mahi and hammerhead sharks to Southern California waters.
Where they differ Reuters quotes Kalez as saying her boats have caught 5,000 yellowfin tuna this year, while the Los Angeles Times quotes her as saying they have caught more than 5,800.