Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
Strong El Niño brings tropical marine life to California's coast
A strong El Niño is warming waters off California and bringing tropical marine life farther north than usual.
In 2026, unusual visitors included whale sharks, hammerheads and a venomous yellow-bellied sea snake, while a longfin bigeye fish was recorded in the state for the first time.
Sea turtles nested on California beaches for the first time, with two olive ridley nests found in Orange County.
El Niño has also helped fishing businesses: one operator reported 5,000 yellowfin tuna caught this year, compared with two last year.
But hurricanes and large waves have damaged homes and beaches, and California declared a state of emergency ahead of further effects expected this winter.
Experts say kelp forests may face the greatest short-term harm because they need colder water and shelter many species.
Conditions are expected to mostly return to normal after El Niño passes in 2027, though some animals may be affected differently.
An unusually strong El Niño in 2026 has brought tropical marine species into California waters.
Sightings include whale sharks, hammerheads, flying fish and manta rays, while a longfin bigeye fish was recorded in California for the first time.
Two olive ridley sea turtle nests found in September were the first recorded nests of any sea turtle species on the US West Coast.
The warmer water has benefited some fishing businesses, while experts warn that kelp and other marine life may be harmed.
California declared a state of emergency ahead of further effects expected this winter.
- Who
- Tropical marine species have appeared off California, alongside local fishers, scientists and wildlife experts observing the changes.
- What
- An unusually strong El Niño has brought warm water and tropical species north along California’s coast.
- When
- The phenomenon arrived in 2026; notable sightings and turtle nests were reported in September.
- Where
- California’s coast, including Orange County, Santa Monica Bay and the Venice Fishing Pier in Los Angeles.
- Why
- El Niño brings warm ocean water farther north, carrying tropical species with it.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
California had experienced an unusual marine heat wave.
A longfin bigeye fish was spotted in California for the first time.
Two olive ridley sea turtle nests were found on Orange County beaches.
Brown pelicans followed a fishing boat into the harbor at Dana Point, according to the Reuters photo caption carried by Daily Sabah.
- First California record
- Longfin bigeye fish, caught at the Venice Fishing Pier in Los Angeles
- Sea turtle nests
- Two olive ridley nests found in Orange County in September
- West Coast record
- First recorded sea turtle nests of any species on the US West Coast
- Yellowfin tuna catch
- 5,000 caught by anglers in 2026, compared with 2 the previous year
- Sea snake sightings
- Six or seven confirmed yellow-bellied sea snake sightings in California
- White shark nursery
- Reappeared in Santa Monica Bay for the first time since 2011
3 sources
What people are saying
There’s kind of a buzz. Fishermen are loving it for sure. I’m as interested as anybody else. It’s strange times.
Dorado is very exciting because they’re very acrobatic, so they jump out of the water. We catch them off kelp paddies, and it’s a thrill.
It’s good for some sharks and probably bad for others.