Photo: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced an “emergency action” designed to reduce potential interactions between sharks and swimmers this summer. The new regulations for pier-based fishing in the Golden State come as shark interactions and sightings have increased in 2026. An El Niño-fueled marine heat wave impacted migration patterns of sharks along the California coast several months ago, prompting experts to predict an abnormally “sharky” summer as far back as March.
“We started seeing baby white sharks about four, four-and-a-half feet long about a month ago, which is really early,” Chris Lowe, director of California State University Long Beach’s shark lab, told NBC Los Angeles back in March. “Now the simple explanation to that is, the water is really warm right now, unusually warm for this time of year. Based on (El Niño and a marine heat wave) we predict it’s going to be a sharky summer. We’re not food. We’re not a threat. So we’re just something to ignore.”
Nonetheless, state officials are still taking necessary measures to minimize potential interactions between humans and sharks in crowded waters. The CDFW called the emergency action regulations a protection for both the animals and swimmers. They’ve drawn up guidelines on fishing gear that can be used near shore, on piers, and on beaches that commonly hook sharks, which in turn elevates hazards to swimmers that may be nearby.
“Specific gear types used to target large sharks, including hooks greater than 1.5 inches in maximum inside measurement and wire or metallic lines and leaders, will be prohibited when recreational fishing from shore or within 1,000 yards of shore from Pigeon Point (San Mateo County) south to the U.S.-Mexico border,” an announcement from the CDFW reads. “Shore fishing includes beaches, banks, piers, jetties, breakwaters, docks and other man-made structures connected to the shore. Unless extended, the emergency regulations will expire 180 days after being filed with the secretary of state. The Commission may pursue up to two 90-day extensions of the emergency action and, ultimately, may propose continuing the restrictions through regular rule making if the regulations prove to be effective.”
In other words, these regulations are temporary for now, but could be extended well into the future.
