SoCal Surfers Warned of Increased Shark and Stingray Activity This Summer

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Southern California surfers are being warned that the upcoming summer could bring an unusual mix of marine life, with rising ocean temperatures and the developing El Niño phenomenon potentially increasing encounters with both juvenile great white sharks and stingrays. Marine scientists, including Dr. Chris Lowe, director of the California State University Long Beach Shark Lab, have highlighted the growing concern over the region’s changing ocean conditions.

“We predict it’s going to be a very sharky summer,” Lowe said, citing the impact of warming waters on shark migration patterns. The forecast comes as sightings of juvenile great white sharks have already increased along Southern California beaches. Warming ocean temperatures and prolonged marine heat waves—often referred to as “The Blob”—have created favorable habitats for young sharks, allowing them to expand their range farther north and remain in local waters longer than historically observed.

But sharks may not be the only marine life surfers need to watch for. Lowe also noted that warmer waters could lead to a surge in stingray populations. “The other thing about El Niño is that sharks aren’t the only ones that like them, stingrays do,” he explained. “Rays for days.”

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Stingrays, particularly round stingrays, are known to inhabit shallow coastal areas where surfers, swimmers, and beachgoers frequently enter and exit the ocean. Their barbed tails can deliver painful stings, often described as feeling like “stepping on a hot knife.” Surfers and lifeguards have long advised a simple precaution: the “stingray shuffle.” This technique involves sliding feet across the sand instead of taking normal steps when walking through shallow water, which alerts buried stingrays to a person’s presence and gives them time to swim away.

While El Niño years often bring more consistent surf conditions and cleaner waters, the potential for increased marine life activity has some surfers apprehensive. “For surfers, the prospect of warmer water, cleaner conditions, and more consistent swell often makes El Niño years something to celebrate,” the article noted. “But as ocean temperatures continue to climb, this summer’s lineup may include more than just good waves.”

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Lowe’s research, conducted through the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach, has focused on the movement and behavior of sharks, rays, and gamefish using advanced technologies like acoustic and satellite telemetry. His work has contributed to understanding how climate change and environmental shifts affect marine ecosystems. “As the climate and environment continue to change, I frequently speak with the media about how fluctuations in water temperatures and weather patterns affect ocean life,” Lowe stated.

The Shark Lab’s findings align with broader trends observed by marine biologists. Juvenile great white sharks, which are typically found in warmer southern waters, have been increasingly spotted in regions like Southern California. This shift is linked to the expansion of their prey base and the availability of sheltered habitats in shallow bays and estuaries.

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For surfers, the combination of warmer waters and heightened marine activity underscores the importance of awareness and preparedness. “Keep those eyes peeled, and those feet shufflin’,” the article concluded, emphasizing the need for vigilance.

While the presence of sharks and stingrays adds an element of risk, it also highlights the dynamic nature of Southern California’s coastal environment. Surfers and beachgoers are encouraged to stay informed about local conditions and follow safety guidelines to minimize encounters.

As the summer progresses, researchers like Lowe will continue monitoring the region’s marine life, providing updates on how climate patterns influence ocean ecosystems. For now, the message is clear: the surf may be good, but the waters beneath could hold more than just waves.