Monterey Bay seeing more young great white sharks

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — It’s that time of the year when an increase in young great white sharks are spotted in Monterey bay. Many juvenile sharks currently gathering at Soquel Cove.

Experts tell KION news that sharks have been migrating in this area for about 10 years. First showing up in 2014. An area that many local residents refer to it as “Shark Park."

Some beach-goers have claimed more shark spotting, Philip smith is visiting from Manhattan and heard from his neighbors about the sharks.

“I guess it makes me feel a little bit more hesitant to go out to the water, I'm not going to be jumping in headfirst and going swimming that’s for sure," Philip Smith visiting from Manhattan said.

Shark experts are saying this year the great white sharks are returning in greater numbers compared to previous years due to the warmer water.

dr. david a. ebert / program director, psrc moss landing marine laboratories

“Water within Monterey is a little warmer area and I think because of that warmer water here, that’s why they’re hanging there during the day and then they will go move off and feed," Dr. David A. Ebert Program Director, PSRC Moss Landing Marine Laboratories said.

The Gordillo family rented a house along the Seacliff beach and were able to spot a few.

“I think it was yesterday we were going on our balcony and we are looking and we saw like little shadows and fin sticking up in the water, we decided to count for sharks and see how many there were," Gracie Gordillo visiting with her family said.

As more young great white sharks appear in the area, some people express concern.

“I don’t think I’d let a child in the water too deep and certainly not above ankle deep," Karen Wardle from Aptos said.

Some people are excited about the shark sightings in the area.

“I’m excited because I think this is the perfect place to live and that just as part of the perfection of the nature here so I really like the idea that there’s more sharks," Peggy Rudy who lives in Aptos said.

Experts say most of the sharks are under the surface of the water where you can’t quite see, but once and a while a fin will break the surface of the water.