Shark Lab director explains how El Niño is changing great white shark behavior

Published November 10, 2026
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Shark Lab Beach Safety Team
CSULB Shark Lab Safety Team

Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab Director Chris Lowe spoke with Newsweek discussing unusual great white shark behavior amid El Niño conditions. Lowe reported that 20 tagged sharks unexpectedly dispersed following a storm, suggesting warming waters, marine heatwaves and shifting prey populations may be influencing shark movements along California's coastline.

 

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Professor Chris Lowe
Chris Lowe