Rare basking sharks spotted off Southern California coast

KABC logo
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Basking sharks spotted off Southern California coast
Sighting of basking shark off of Southern California coast could mean a comeback for these once vanishing sharks.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- You might be able to catch one of the world's biggest sharks floating around the Southern California coastline.

Marine scientists say basking shark sightings are on the rise after vanishing more than 30 years ago.

RELATED: Deep Blue, one of world's largest great white sharks, possibly spotted off Hawaiian coast

They can grow to be about the size of a small bus.

The gentle giants swim with their mouths wide open, eating tiny foods like plankton.

Researchers hope the recent sightings are a sign that they're making a comeback.

See more stories and videos about sharks.