Environment
Strong El Niño draws tropical species into Southern California waters
A fish never before recorded in California, a rarely seen sea snake and tropical sharks are among the warm-water visitors documented along the coast.
An unusually strong El Niño, following an extended marine heat wave, is carrying warmer water and tropical wildlife farther north along California, Reuters reported Saturday. Southern California sightings include a longfin bigeye caught at the Venice Fishing Pier, a yellow-bellied sea snake that came ashore in Orange County, and whale sharks and hammerheads offshore.
New state record: Longfin bigeye caught at Venice Fishing Pier
Rare visitor: Yellow-bellied sea snake seen in Orange County
Historic nesting: Two olive ridley nests found in Orange County
Local concern: Prolonged warm water can damage kelp habitat
Benefits and risks share the same warm water
The conditions have boosted catches for some sportfishing businesses. Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching told the Los Angeles Times earlier in the week that its boats had caught more than 5,800 yellowfin tuna and more than 150 mahi-mahi this year. Reuters also reported catches of wahoo and dorado. Researchers cautioned that the same warm water can disrupt the ecosystem, especially kelp and other species that cannot simply move to cooler conditions.
The sightings extend a pattern already visible in Orange County. NOAA Fisheries confirmed that olive ridley sea turtles nested near Seal Beach on September 16 and near Huntington Beach three days later—the first recorded natural sea-turtle nesting on the U.S. West Coast. Experts expect many conditions to move toward normal after El Niño fades, but they say the event is still unfolding.
The broader shift does not mean every tropical visitor will establish a permanent range. Scientists told both news organizations that ocean temperature, currents, prey and fishing effort all affect what reaches Southern California and what anglers ultimately catch.
Sources: Reuters — October 17, 2026 → · Los Angeles Times — October 13, 2026 → · NOAA Fisheries — September 25, 2026 →