Another shark sighting has been reported off the Southern California coast, with a fisherman releasing a juvenile great white shark accidentally caught on a fishing line near a Hermosa Beach pier, raising concerns as experts warn that shark season is approaching.
The video shows the man stripping down to his underwear and then wading into the water with scissors to cut the fishing line to help bring the shark back to the sea, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The incident happened just after 9am on Wednesday morning when 20-year-old Kevin Phan accidentally hooked the small shark while fishing off the pier. Witnesses said the moment drew crowds as the fisherman rushed into the water to rescue the animal.
For a moment, onlookers worried that the shark was motionless, but it soon began to struggle violently, with Pan grabbing its tail and pushing it into the oncoming waves, drawing applause from those gathered on the dock, the Times reported.
Witness Frank Paine said the scene unfolded when people on the beach realized what had been caught.
“Kids were doing yoga on the beach,” Paine told KTLA’s Omar Lewis. “Someone yelled shark. So these guys brought this shark in. You’re not supposed to hook them…and then this shark was on the other side of the dock.”
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On April 1, 2026, a fisherman waded into the waves to rescue a juvenile great white shark caught in a fishing line near the Hermosa Beach Pier. (Alexandra Gary)
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On April 1, 2026, a fisherman waded into the waves to rescue a juvenile great white shark caught in a fishing line near the Hermosa Beach Pier. (Alexandra Gary)
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On April 1, 2026, a fisherman waded into the waves to rescue a juvenile great white shark caught in a fishing line near the Hermosa Beach Pier. (Alexandra Gary)
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On April 1, 2026, a fisherman waded into the waves to rescue a juvenile great white shark caught in a fishing line near the Hermosa Beach Pier. (Alexandra Gary)
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On April 1, 2026, a fisherman waded into the waves to rescue a juvenile great white shark caught in a fishing line near the Hermosa Beach Pier. (Alexandra Gary)
Stephen Copeland said he noticed the crowd gathering and ran toward the commotion.
“I saw a group of people over there and I ran over there like something happened,” Copeland said. “He was wearing underwear… and he said it was the second one of the day.”
Another fisherman said the sighting might change the frequency of his visits to the pier.
“I don’t know if I’ll come here often because of this,” Lam said. “It’s mostly for small fish here, and some things will bite quickly.”
Experts say juvenile great white sharks generally pose little danger to humans, but they may bite defensively if hooked or entangled in fishing gear.
Marine researchers also expect more shark sightings off the Southern California coast this year due to warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures caused by El Niño, which could draw young sharks closer to shore earlier in the season.
Just last week, an 8-foot great white shark was spotted circling a surfer near Newport Beach, causing the beach to be temporarily closed.
Officials said anyone who spots a shark should calmly get out of the water and alert lifeguards so they can monitor the situation.
Pan later shared on social media that he suffered minor cuts and scrapes during the rescue, but said he was relieved the shark was able to swim away safely.
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