MALIBU—A single whale shark was spotted off the coast of Malibu on Wednesday, September 9. Sightings like this are extremely uncommon in the area, since whale sharks typically prefer much warmer waters. The footage was captured by commercial fishing-industry pilot Carl Sbarounis.
Whale sharks are typically found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, including areas off Mexico, Central America, and Southeast Asia. Warm coastal waters and a developing El Niño are pushing subtropical species north from Mexico, bringing Malibu water temperatures to nearly 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The warm conditions typically last from September into October before temperatures start to cool.
Despite their name, whale sharks are not actually sharks. They are classified as the world’s largest fish species. They commonly grow from 18 to 32 feet long, though larger individuals have been recorded at 40 to 60 feet.
Whale sharks can weigh up to 40,000 pounds, making their size and weight comparable to a fully loaded school bus. They are harmless to humans and pose no threat, since they lack sharp teeth.
The sighting comes one month after a hammerhead shark was filmed near the Malibu Pier.
