California

Great white sharks: Danger or endangered?

Chris Lowe, a professor of marine biology at Cal State Long Beach who has been conducting state and federally permitted white shark research since 2002, said, "The growth of the great white shark population is the most stunning recovery of a marine fish species we have." Above, Lowe looks out from Manhattan Beach Pier.

Chris Lowe, a professor of marine biology at Cal State Long Beach who has been conducting state and federally permitted white shark research since 2002, said, “The growth of the great white shark population is the most stunning recovery of a marine fish species we have.” Above, Lowe looks out from Manhattan Beach Pier.   (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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State and federal wildlife biologists are conducting studies to determine whether to designate the great white shark as California’s first endangered marine species.

Great white sharks

Joon Kim fishes near the Manhattan Beach Pier.  (Bret Hartman / For The Times)

Great white sharks

A mother and her children play in the waves near the Manhattan Beach Pier. A 7-foot great white shark was caught off the pier recently.  (Bret Hartman / For The Times)

Great white sharks

Two surfers head out into surf near Manhattan Beach Pier. State and federal authorities are weighing a request to classify the great white shark as an endangered species.  (Bret Hartman / For The Times)

Great white sharks

Reuben Montes heads for waves near the Manhattan Beach Pier. Four juvenile great whites were caught off the pier last year.  (Bret Hartman / For The Times)

Great white sharks

The National Marine Fisheries Service and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife have been researching the health of the great white population since last year. Above, surfers ride near Manhattan Beach Pier.   (Bret Hartman / For The Times)

Great white sharks

Cory Alexander watches the waves after surfing near the Manhattan Beach Pier.  (Bret Hartman / For The Times)

Great white sharks

A census conducted from 2006 to 2008 estimated that only 219 adult and sub-adult great whites lived off the Central California coast, and perhaps again that many in the entire northeastern Pacific Ocean, including Southern California. Other shark experts claim the actual population is several times larger. Above, at Manhattan Beach Pier.  (Bret Hartman / For The Times)

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