Juvenile Shark Drags Fisherman Into The Water

SANTA MONICA—On July 13, video was captured of a fisherman off the Santa Monic Pier who was dragged into the water by a juvenile shark on his fishing line. A California local posted the scene on Instagram. The family of the fisherman was pulling on the other end of reel as the fisherman appeared to be attempting to climb a rope back up to the pier, when he got pulled back down into the water a second time. After the second fall into the water, the fisherman was rescued without any injuries. Reports indicate that it is not uncommon for juvenile white sharks to be active around the Santa Monica Pier. Smaller sharks that feed on small fish and stingrays. They measure no more than 10 feet long. There are many bacteria warnings for area beaches that are listed on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health webpage. Health officials warn against the consumption of fish and other seafood caught off the Santa Monica Pier due to “toxic levels of mercury and PCBs found in the very waters the sharks were swimming in. According to the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulation handbook, updated January 13, 2026, Leopard Shark fishing is open year-round in all depths with specific details limits are in the handbook. The fisherman may have been fishing for White Shark, which is illegal. The California Fish and Wildlife will determine if his actions were intentional. White shark may not be taken, except under permit issued by the Department pursuant to Section 1002 of the Fish and Game Code for scientific or educational purposes. Shark, White, Taking and Attracting (FGC §5517) (a) Except as authorized by a permit issued pursuant to Section 1002, or as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 8599, it is unlawful to do any of the following: (1) Take any white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). (2) Use any shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum to attract any white shark. (3) Place any shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum into the water within one nautical mile of any shoreline, pier, or jetty when a white shark is either visible or known to be present. (4) Place any shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum into the water for the purpose of viewing any shark when a white shark is visible or known to be present. (b) For purposes of this section, “shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum” means any natural or manufactured product or device used to attract sharks by the sense of taste, smell, or sight, including, but not limited to, blood, fish, or other material upon which sharks may feed, and surface or underwater decoys. By Sharon