Southern California whale-watching cruise treated to rare sighting

A group of tourists aboard a Newport Beach whale-watching charter recently witnessed a rare, albeit grisly, sight when they came upon a feeding mako shark.

The encounter occurred on Friday, Aug. 16, during an afternoon cruise run by Davey’s Locker Whale Watching, roughly two miles offshore.

A video shared with KTLA shows a 6 to 8-foot mako, estimated to weigh around 600 pounds, feeding on the carcass of a swordfish within 10 feet of the vessel.

Shortfin makos ( Isurus oxyrinchus ) are commonly found in California’s coastal waters but rarely seen on whale-watching cruises. Experts say they typically live in deep, offshore waters but can sometimes be found closer to shore, particularly during warmer months.

Mako sharks, particularly the Shortfin mako, are considered potentially dangerous to humans due to their speed, agility, and powerful jaws. However, attacks on humans are extremely rare.

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