NO White Sharks In California at times??

[Sea Weed]

This link was posted on fish reports.net thought it may be of interest here as well.

   
Posted on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - 7:14 pm:      
THERE ARE NO WHITE SHARKS ON THE CALIFORNIA COAST!! I was diving off San Miguel Island last month with Steve Gade the science teacher at the High School and looking over my shoulder the whole time. If you have ever dove the open water, west end high spots you’ll know what I mean. Of course he didn’t bother to tell me about this study until after 3 dives!! I quote, “A recent study has shown 3 out of four white sharks prefer crest!” Oops, sorry, here it is, “Satellite telemetry studies of 20 adult and subadult white sharks (360–530 cm estimated total length (TL)) in the eastern North Pacific during 1999–2005 revealed long distance seasonal migrations from the coast of California to an offshore focal area 2,500 km west of the Baja Peninsula, as well as the Hawaii Islands. . . .”

The conclusion is there are no white sharks off the coast of California April- July, most congregate here November – February for the sea lion festival and the rest the time they are in transit to or from the “White shark diner” somewhere between Baja and the Hawaiian islands! Even if there were a few stragglers around that makes me feel much better, for at least for half the year.

Here’s the full report.

http://www.topp.org/sites/topp.org/files/topp/publications/whitesharkw engetal.pdf

[Sea Weed]

I don't know why the link isn't working Go to fishreports.net  read post by Darby he is from Virges landing in Morro Bay. Be sure to click in U.S.A. then California then Port San Luis and Morro Bay. the link might work for you from there.

[wolfman]

Don't stop looking over your shoulder. Historical data indicates otherwise.  I plagiarize from  http://www.sharkresearchcommittee.com/2000.htm

Along the Pacific Coast of North America, shark attacks on humans occurred in every month of the year, with a dramatic peak during August, September and October. The fewest attacks reported for a month were three each for March and June. There were four shark attacks reported in February and five for April. January had six confirmed attacks, with May and December reporting seven cases each. There were nine cases authenticated for November, with 10 incidents occurring during July. These nine months accounted for 54 (50%) of the 108 confirmed shark attacks from the Pacific Coast. The remaining 54 (50%) shark-attack cases were: 16 reported in October, 17 in August, and 21 in September.

There must be a few clever ones whio hide from satellites.

[Spike]

There might be a few we haven't tagged.

I never used to think about white sharks in so cal although I had one come to the boat at La Bufadora and the toothy critters showed up for the epic seabass bite of 2000 at Trancas... in May.  I thought about tiger sharks a lot in Mexico though.  Then Shark Shield was developed.  Now I fish some of the sharkiest waters in the world around Bodega Bay and if it's hot, I take a swim.  I don't worry about bloodying the water when it means preserving my take in a pinch although I don't recommend it.  If my green light is on, sharks are not a factor.  I haven't been able to get anything bigger than a dogfish to the boat when Shark Shield is on.

This is as much shameless promotion as my surprise at consumer disbelief in the technology.  I had a marine biologist pass on a claim from a much smarter(?) guy that "it doesn't work with white sharks".  That's crazy talk.  A lot more people believe it attracts sharks too.  That's even crazier.  I've talked to fathers who swim with their kids in places locals won't even touch.  I've met surfers and divers who have narrowly survived being in the jaws of white sharks and credit their confidence to return to the seas to this technology.

[EFISH]

A week or so ago the paddle boarders had a race from point dume to malibu pier.  the story is that two of the guys were followed by a small white shark for quite a while.   But thats just what I heard.    The point Dume canyon to the red bell marker to the south always give me a uneasy feeling.  But I still fish it some times.  I was out there once, right at the bell when all of a sudden 5-6 seals launched out of the water and  got up on to that float as fast as they could..  I moved out of the area as fast and quite as I could!!!!!!!!!!
Peace Out
EFISH

[Sea Weed]

Thats what I thought! and exactly why I also use a shark shield.

[Spike]

Eric's story is either a year old or happened a second time.  To the best of my knowledge on it, a white shark harrassed a racer,  a racer lifeguard comes to his aid, powerboat comes to their aid and lifegaurd goes on to finish race and place at Malibu Pier. 

If seeing one is one in a million, getting bitby a white shark in Malibu is one in 10 million.  I don't believe the 2 Pepperdine students were victims of shark attacks, I spoke to enough people to believe they drowned and the shark bites to her torso were incidental.

The Shark Shield Technology is like something out of a science fiction movie.  The dropoff by the bell buoy at Dume has a sharky history.  I'll sit on that spot anytime now.  I'm also drifting the mouth of Tomales and Bodega Bay with complete confidence.  The shark activity up here makes Malibu look like a kiddie pool.

[wolfman]

There is a profile for Whitey victims that can be deduced from reading various reports/databases on this topic, which seems to come up on this site every year at just about the time the water is warming up.  Fortunately, kayak fisherman don't fit it.  The profile is pertty much:  be in the water during the predator hour wearing a wetsuit in a pinniped habitat. 

[Spike]

Taking this full circle, it's clear that sharks have not been an issue for kayak anglers in So Cal waters.  I'm aware of at least 10 kayak fishermen sightings between Malibu and SD.  The story is usually the same.  "I looked over, saw a big shark looking at me then it sank out."  While most people beat it back to the beach, it is noteworthy to the sport that Big Boy just moved up the line and fished another spot.

If a spot gets sharky, just give it a few weeks or 3.  That's always worked for us.

[Steve A]

Two weeks ago, I was fly fishing the surf at Santa Claus Lane and I ran across a freshly killed seal pup with a nasty gash. Some kind of shark bit a front flipper off as well as a lot of breast meat. Interesting.

Steve A

[jdouble]

Oh Boy.  You guys see this?

http://www.veoh.com/collection/Fire-News/watch/v188165337pjBzatW