Story perspectives
El Niño brings rare devil rays and juvenile whale shark northward
By Drooid · · How we work
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Story summary
- El Niño conditions are pulling rare sea creatures into Southern California waters.
- Fisherman Juan-Carlos Aguilar reported a large school of sicklefin devil rays near Catalina Island.
- Carl Sbarounis filmed bentfin devil rays, endangered spinetail devil rays, and a black ray.
- Sbarounis also captured a juvenile whale shark between Santa Barbara Island and Malibu.
- Sea surface temperatures are nearing 80 °F, a level that draws tropical species northward.