Sharks are pretty common here along the Central Coast, but some locals say the sightings have gotten more frequent.
Drone footage from Danny Martinez shows a great white shark near the Oceano dunes. He said it’s the biggest shark he’s seen and estimates it’s around 18 feet.
Rich Weisbecker has been surfing in Pismo Beach for over 30 years. He said it’s pretty common to hear about sharks in the waves.
“I've seen a couple of sharks breach all the way out of the water, but I've never seen one swimming next to me," Weisbecker said. "I've never had one touch me or never really felt in danger at all.”
Richard Draeger, another surfer, had a close encounter about three weeks ago.
“I've seen two of them going by at the Oceano, and I've seen one cruising by at Grover and I saw one go right under me on the south side of the pier," Draeger said. "The one on the south side of the pier went under me about three weeks ago.”
Draeger said he’s been surfing in the area for 20 years and seeing sharks more frequently.
I visited the Central Coast Aquarium to learn why sharks are attracted to this area. Aquarist manager Branden Clarin said it’s not just great whites, but smaller species like swell sharks and horn sharks are also visiting the coast.
“There's a lot of food," Clarin said. "Like whales coming in. We also get seals that are coming in, and we end up with sharks coming in because it's time to feed. Most of the time the sharks we're seeing are juveniles. Juveniles kind of hang out closer inland. They're getting experimental, trying new foods and stuff like that.”
Clarin said there could be multiple explanations for more frequent great white sightings, like advanced technology, more protections or because of this year’s El Niño.
“It's warmer water," Clarin said. "The juveniles like that warmer water, as I mentioned before. So they'll kind of hang out in that zone often. If it gets too warm, they'll kind of leave. But during this time of the year is kind of when we start to see an increase of them I would say.”
For Draeger and Weisbecker, both surfers said they’re not scared to head out into the water.
“Don't splash around," Draeger said. "Try to stay calm. If you'd be cool, they'd be cool. That's the way I think about it.”
“It just makes you realize that we're not the only ones in the water," Weisbecker said. "It gives you a little respect for the water.”
