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SANTA MONICA, Calif. () — Southern California anglers are seeing an unusual abundance of warm-water fish species as elevated ocean temperatures linked to El Niño and marine heatwaves draw species typically found farther south into local waters.
Fishermen operating near Marina del Rey and Santa Monica say they are catching species and sizes of fish rarely seen in the area.
“Biggest yellowtail I’ve ever seen ever up here,” said Tony Villanueva, a boat captain.
Alex Garcia, also a boat captain, said anglers have been landing unusually large catches.
“We’ve been catching a bunch of big bonito,” Garcia said.
According to fishermen, these species are more commonly associated with waters off Mexico and are now appearing along the Southern California coast.
“People go on overnight trips and pay big money to go catch the fish that we’re catching right here right in our backyard,” Garcia said.
Dr. Julia Coates, an environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said warmer ocean conditions are driving the changes.
“Right now we’re experiencing warm water due to what’s called a marine heatwave,” Coates said.
Coates said the marine heatwave is bringing unusually warm water to Southern California, along with tropical and pelagic fish species that typically swim in deeper waters.
Garcia said the unusual conditions have created rare sightings for local anglers.
“To see a hammerhead shark with yellowtails swimming around it was pretty cool,” Garcia said.
Veteran boat captains who have spent decades fishing local waters describe the phenomenon as a rare event.
“We had fish up to, like, 25, almost pushing 30 pounds. Unheard of here, unheard of. Dorado, catching Dorado on the anchor right off Santa Monica,” Villanueva said.
Garcia said water temperatures are significantly higher than normal.
“The water temperature obviously is way higher than it usually is. It’s like 76 degrees out there,” he said.
While the warmer waters have boosted fishing opportunities, Coates said similar conditions in the past have had serious environmental consequences.
“We saw a dramatic loss of kelp and kept forests in Northern CA, that ecosystem was dramatic and changed and has not yet recovered,” Coates said, referring to a previous thermal anomaly.
Villanueva also noted the effects of unusually warm water farther south.
“Down south, the water’s so warm that it’s actually killing off some fish because the water’s too warm,” he said.
Coates said Southern California experienced a similar combination of El Niño conditions and marine heatwaves between 2013 and 2016 during an event known as “The Blob,” which kept ocean temperatures warmer for an extended period.
Despite expectations for high surf, local fishing operators say they plan to continue running trips.
“The fish are out there, it’s a really cool time to get out on the water,” Garcia said.
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