Fisherman strips down to free great white shark hooked at Hermosa Beach Pier

Another shark sighting has been reported along the Southern California coast after a fisherman freed a juvenile great white shark that had been accidentally caught on a fishing line near the Hermosa Beach Pier, raising concerns as experts warn of an active shark season ahead.

Video shows the man stripping down to his underwear and wading into the water with scissors to cut the fishing line and help guide the shark back into the ocean, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The incident happened just after 9 a.m. Wednesday when 20-year-old Kevin Phan accidentally hooked the young shark while fishing from the pier. Witnesses said the moment drew a crowd as the fisherman rushed into the water to free the animal.

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For a brief moment, onlookers feared the shark was not moving, but it soon began thrashing before Phan lifted it by the tail and pushed it into an incoming wave, prompting applause from people gathered on the pier, the Times reported.

Witness Frank Paine said the scene unfolded as people along the beach realized what had been caught.

“The kids were doing yoga on the beach,” Paine told KTLA’s Omar Lewis. “Somebody yelled shark. And so these guys brought this shark in. You’re not supposed to hook them … and then this one on the other side of the pier.”

Stephen Copeland said he ran toward the commotion after noticing a crowd forming.

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“I saw a bunch people over there, and I ran down there like there’s something going on,” Copeland said. “He was in his underwear … he said that was the second one of the day.”

Another fisherman said the sighting could change how often he visits the pier.

“Don’t know if I’m gonna be coming here as often because of that,” George Lam said. “Mostly just here for smaller fish, something get a quick bite.”

Experts say juvenile great white sharks typically pose little danger to humans, but they may bite defensively if hooked or entangled in fishing gear.

Marine researchers also expect more shark sightings along the Southern California coast this year due to warmer-than-usual ocean temperatures linked to El Niño conditions, which can draw juvenile sharks closer to shore earlier in the season.

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Just last week, an 8-foot great white shark was spotted circling a surfer off Newport Beach, prompting a temporary beach closure.

Officials say anyone who spots a shark should calmly leave the water and alert a lifeguard so they can monitor the situation.

Phan later shared on social media that he suffered minor cuts and scrapes during the rescue but said he was relieved the shark was able to swim away safely.

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