NEWPORT BEACH (FOX5/KUSI) — The Newport Beach fishing charter, Bongos Sportfishing, went fishing for yellowtail and ended up encountering a whale shark.
The warmer waters brought by El Niño have increased sightings of some uncommon species in Southern California.
Rare sighting of spinetail devil rays off the San Diego coast
This specific whale shark was spotted off San Clemente Island, about 55 miles from the coast.
Whale sharks are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The main threat to whale sharks is demand for their meat, fins, and oil in international markets…