CSULB shark expert assesses close encounter off Santa Barbara
Published September 15, 2026
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Chris Lowe, professor and director of Cal State Long Beach's Shark Lab, was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times after reviewing drone footage of a juvenile great white circling a Santa Barbara swimmer and found no signs of aggression or predation. Lowe said the shark appeared inquisitive, emphasized that humans are not prey and noted that most close encounters do not result in bites.
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