Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Endangered Whale Shark Spotted Near California During El Niño
A very large whale shark was seen swimming near California.
It was estimated to be 14 to 16 feet long.
Carl Sbarounis filmed it from an aircraft on September 9, 2026.
The whale shark was reported between Santa Barbara Island and Malibu.
Whale sharks usually prefer warm, tropical water.
They eat tiny sea creatures, fish eggs and small fish, rather than people.
The ocean near California is unusually warm because of El Niño.
This warm water may be bringing tropical animals closer to California.
Other unusual animals, including rays and bluefin tuna, have also been spotted.
A 14- to 16-foot whale shark was filmed near California on September 9, 2026.
The sighting was reported between Santa Barbara Island and Malibu in the Pacific Ocean.
Commercial fisheries pilot Carl Sbarounis recorded photographs and video of the animal.
The article links the unusual appearance to unusually warm ocean conditions caused by El Niño.
Tan-brown rays, spinetail devil rays and bluefin tuna have also been seen near California.
- Who
- A 14- to 16-foot whale shark was filmed by commercial fisheries pilot Carl Sbarounis after his friend Ryder DeVoe alerted him.
- What
- An endangered whale shark was spotted near the California coast, alongside reports of other unusual marine animals.
- When
- The sighting occurred on September 9, 2026; the article describes it as occurring the previous week.
- Where
- The whale shark was reported in the Pacific Ocean between Santa Barbara Island and Malibu, although the article also says it was about 500 kilometres off California’s coast.
- Why
- The article attributes the unusual sighting to warm ocean conditions associated with El Niño, which can draw tropical marine species toward California.
- Animal
- Whale shark
- Estimated size
- 14 to 16 feet
- Reported date
- September 9, 2026
- Reported location
- Between Santa Barbara Island and Malibu in the Pacific Ocean
- Conservation status
- Classified as endangered, according to the article
- Cause cited
- Unusually warm ocean conditions linked to El Niño
- Other sightings
- Tan-brown rays, spinetail devil rays and bluefin tuna