Whale shark spotted off California coast amid El Niño

A 14-16 ft whale shark, classified as endangered, was spotted in the Pacific Ocean between Santa Barbara Island and Malibu on September 9, 2026. Commercial fisheries pilot Carl Sbarounis recorded the sighting. Experts linked the rare appearance to El Niño, which has warmed California's coastal waters, attracting tropical marine species including manta rays and bluefin tuna.