California faces highest shark numbers in years as great whites head north
California is experiencing an unusually high number of juvenile great white sharks moving north due to El Niño-driven ocean warming. Experts note that while sightings are increasing, interactions with humans remain rare.
Why it matters
Climate-driven migration patterns are altering local ecosystems and impacting public safety awareness for coastal residents.
Large numbers of juvenile great white sharks are expected off the California coast this summer. Photograph: CSULB Shark Lab Large numbers of juvenile great white sharks are expected off the California coast this summer. Photograph: CSULB Shark Lab Sharks California faces highest shark numbers in years as great whites head north El Niño climate phenomenon heating waters off Mexico but incidents with humans remain a rarity
Nick Visser Tue 14 Jul 2026 10.00 EDT Last modified on Tue 14 Jul 2026 10.02 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google C alifornia is set to see one of its sharkiest summers in a decade, with large numbers of juvenile great whites already on a reverse vacation from the warm waters of Mexico to cooler pastures along the western United States.
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