A fisherman kayaking near Paradise Cove in Malibu was taken to a local hospital on Sunday morning after a suspected shark bit him twice. Witnesses said he had reeled in what was believed to be a mako shark and was trying to release it when the animal knocked him into the water. The shark reportedly bit him again before swimming away. Emergency crews responded, while authorities later described the incident as a fishing accident rather than a shark attack.
| 1) | Kayaker injured while releasing suspected shark |
| 2) | Witnesses describe two bites and rescue |
| 3) | Authorities classify incident as fishing accident |
| 4) | Beach remains open after Malibu encounter |
| 5) | Warmer October waters can increase shark encounters |
Kayaker injured while releasing suspected shark
The incident occurred Sunday morning, October 4, 2026, near Paradise Cove in Los Angeles County. The fisherman was kayaking off Malibu when he caught what witnesses believed was a shortfin mako shark. While attempting to release the animal, he was bitten and fell into the water.
Reports indicated that the shark then bit him a second time before swimming away. The victim was later reported to have two wounds on his leg, including injuries on the lower leg and above the knee. The circumstances described by witnesses suggest the bites occurred during the handling of the fish rather than during an unprovoked approach by the animal.
Witnesses describe two bites and rescue
People near the beach saw the fisherman after the encounter and observed injuries around his legs. A manager at the nearby Paradise Cove Beach Cafe said the victim had visible tooth marks in two places.
“He was bitten in two places. I saw there were some teeth marks on his lower leg and above the knee.”
Video from the scene showed a lifeguard moving toward the fisherman shortly after the incident. A nearby fisherman reportedly helped pull the injured man from the water onto a boat and transported him back to shore.
Authorities classify incident as fishing accident
The Los Angeles County Fire Department initially referred to the event as a shark attack, but later characterized it as a fishing accident. The change in description reflected reports that the fisherman was handling a shark he had caught when the bites occurred.
After reaching shore, the victim reportedly contacted his girlfriend, a retired lifeguard. She helped him from the boat, assisted him on land and called emergency responders. Fire department crews arrived and transported him to a local hospital for treatment. No further medical details were provided.
Beach remains open after Malibu encounter
The encounter took place off a Malibu beach near Paradise Cove, but the beach remained open afterward. The reported response involved a lifeguard, nearby boaters, the victim’s girlfriend and county fire crews.
A manager at the beach cafe said the location had experienced unusual events before but had not seen an incident like this one.
“We’ve had a lot of crazy stuff happen here, but we’ve never had a shark attack like that.”
Officials did not announce a beach closure or provide additional details about the shark’s size, condition or exact species.
Warmer October waters can increase shark encounters
Shark encounters in Southern California can become more likely in October, when warmer coastal waters attract prey and juvenile sharks. Female sharks may also use shallow, warmer areas as nursery grounds, providing young sharks with places to feed and grow.
Those seasonal conditions offer context for the Malibu encounter, but they do not establish why the individual shark approached the kayak. The animal was identified by witnesses as a suspected mako, and that identification was not confirmed in the available reports.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A kayaker was bitten twice near Paradise Cove in Malibu. |
| 2 | The shark was believed by witnesses to be a mako. |
| 3 | Nearby people helped the injured fisherman reach shore. |
| 4 | The beach stayed open after the incident. |
Summary
A Malibu fisherman was hospitalized after suffering two bites while trying to release a suspected mako shark from his kayak. Witnesses and nearby boaters helped him return to shore, where his girlfriend and emergency crews assisted him. The county fire department later described the event as a fishing accident, and Paradise Cove remained open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the shark encounter happen?
It happened near Paradise Cove, off the Malibu coast in Los Angeles County, California.
How many times was the fisherman bitten?
Reports said the fisherman was bitten twice, with injuries observed on his lower leg and above the knee.
Was the beach closed after the incident?
No. The beach remained open after the encounter.