Fisherman Rescues Great White Shark Caught on Line in Hermosa Beach

20-year-old Kevin Phan waded into the water to free the protected shark, drawing praise for his quick thinking and bravery.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:18am

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft, earthy tones of blue, green, and gray, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals that evoke the powerful yet graceful movements of a great white shark swimming through the ocean.A fisherman's daring rescue of an entangled great white shark underscores the delicate balance between human activity and the protected marine life off California's coast.Hermosa Beach Today

In a dramatic rescue caught on video, a 20-year-old fisherman named Kevin Phan rushed into the surf off Hermosa Beach, California to free a great white shark that had become entangled in his fishing line. Phan worked to carefully cut the shark loose and guide it back into deeper water, where it regained its strength and swam away. The incident highlighted the rarity of shark attacks in the state, with officials noting there have been fewer than 20 fatal shark incidents in California since 1950.

Why it matters

Great white sharks are a protected species in California, and incidents where they interact with humans are extremely rare in the state. Phan's quick action to free the shark, despite the risks involved, demonstrated his awareness of conservation efforts and the need to avoid harming these vulnerable marine animals.

The details

Footage captured by bystander Alexandra Garry showed Phan wading into the surf to reach the great white shark, which had become tangled in his fishing line. Phan worked to carefully cut the shark free and then guide it back into deeper water, where it was able to swim away unharmed. Phan later explained he had no intention of catching a protected species, and his priority was to release the shark as quickly as possible.

  • The incident occurred on April 1, 2026 off the coast of Hermosa Beach, California.

The players

Kevin Phan

A 20-year-old fisherman who rescued a great white shark caught on his fishing line in Hermosa Beach, California.

Alexandra Garry

A bystander who captured dramatic footage of Phan's rescue of the great white shark.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

The state agency that oversees regulations and conservation efforts related to sharks in California, noting that shark incidents involving humans are extremely rare in the state.

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What they’re saying

“I wasn't intentionally targeting white sharks, because I know the rules of California state law, you can't target them at all. When I saw the great white, my brain just clicked into the action, and I tried to free it as quickly as I could.”

— Kevin Phan, Fisherman

“He definitely deserves the praise. It's not every day you need to strip to your underwear in front of a crowd to go help a great white shark, and he didn't hesitate!”

— Alexandra Garry, Bystander

What’s next

Officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will continue to monitor the state's shark population and any interactions with humans, in order to maintain conservation efforts and public safety.

The takeaway

This dramatic rescue highlights the rarity of shark incidents in California, where great white sharks are a protected species. The fisherman's quick thinking and bravery in freeing the entangled shark without harm demonstrates the importance of respecting and preserving these vulnerable marine animals.