San Diego Bay is home to various shark species, a natural part of its diverse marine ecosystem. The bay’s environment makes it an appealing habitat, influencing shark behavior and distribution.
Common Shark Species in the Bay
Leopard sharks are among the most frequently encountered species within San Diego Bay. They are identified by distinctive dark spots over a silver or gray body, typically measuring four to five feet, though they can reach six feet. They often gather in large groups, particularly pregnant females during warmer summer months, frequenting shallow, sandy, and muddy areas.
Gray smooth-hound sharks also inhabit the bay, typically reaching about 46 inches. These docile sharks are sometimes observed schooling alongside leopard sharks. Horn sharks are recognizable by their short, blunt snouts and prominent ridges above their eyes. These smaller sharks, usually around 3.3 feet long, are nocturnal and spend their days hidden in rocky crevices or kelp forests.
Broadnose sevengill sharks, which can grow up to ten feet, have been noted with increasing frequency in the San Diego area since 2009. These larger sharks utilize the bay’s shallow, inshore waters, often staying near the seafloor. Juvenile great white sharks also use San Diego’s coastal areas, including parts of the bay, as nursery grounds. These young sharks, typically five to nine feet long, are drawn to warmer, shallower waters.
Factors Attracting Sharks to the Bay
San Diego Bay serves as important nursery grounds for several shark species, including juvenile great white and broadnose sevengill sharks. The bay’s calm, shallow, and warmer waters provide protection from larger predators found in the open ocean.
The abundance of specific prey species within the bay is a primary attractant for sharks. Leopard sharks feed on crabs, shrimp, clam siphons, and fish eggs found in the bay’s sandy and muddy bottoms. Juvenile great white sharks in these nursery areas primarily consume bottom-dwelling prey like stingrays, while gray smooth-hound sharks find ample food such as crabs, shrimp, and small fish.
Warmer water temperatures within the bay also play a role, particularly for leopard sharks. Pregnant females congregate in these warmer, shallow waters, which can help accelerate their gestation period. This combination of a protected environment, consistent food supply, and favorable water conditions makes San Diego Bay an ideal habitat for these various shark species.
Understanding Shark Behavior and Safety
The sharks commonly found within San Diego Bay are generally not considered dangerous to humans. Species like leopard, horn, and gray smooth-hound sharks are typically docile and pose a low risk of unprovoked interactions.
Even juvenile great white sharks that utilize the bay’s nursery areas primarily feed on bottom-dwelling organisms and are not typically a threat to people on the surface. Shark attacks are statistically rare events, with very low numbers reported annually worldwide. If an interaction occurs, it is often due to curiosity or mistaken identity.
To enhance safety while enjoying the bay, several precautions can be taken.
Avoid swimming during dawn or dusk, as these are peak feeding times for some shark species.
Swim or kayak in groups, as sharks are less likely to approach multiple individuals.
Stay in areas where you can see the bottom.
Avoid proximity to active fishing areas.
Maintain a respectful distance from marine life and avoid harassing any animals encountered.