Fisherman Rescues Tangled Great White Shark in Dramatic Ocean Rescue

Footage captures 20-year-old's daring efforts to free the shark from his fishing line at a California beach.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, graphic silkscreen illustration featuring a repeated pattern of a bright orange fishing hook against a vibrant blue background, conceptually representing the dramatic rescue of a shark from a fishing line.A fisherman's daring rescue of a great white shark highlights the risks and responsibilities of recreational fishing along California's coastline.Long Beach Today

In a dramatic scene captured on video, a young fisherman named Kevin Phan bravely dove into the turbulent surf of Southern California's Hermosa Beach to free a great white shark that had become tangled in his fishing line. The 20-year-old risked his own safety to cut the line from the shark's mouth and guide it back into the ocean, drawing cheers from onlookers.

Why it matters

While great white sharks are apex predators, juvenile sharks like the one caught in this incident generally pose a low risk to humans at beaches. However, their increasing presence near shore to feed on smaller fish has led to more frequent encounters, raising concerns about public safety and the need for responsible fishing practices.

The details

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Wednesday when Phan found himself unexpectedly snagging a great white shark while fishing from a pier. Footage shows Phan sprinting towards the water's edge and venturing perilously close to the struggling shark, working to cut the line from its mouth as onlookers watched. After several tumbles through the crashing waves, Phan was able to grab the shark's tail and guide it safely back into the ocean.

  • The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.
  • Phan reported this was the second shark he had encountered that day while fishing.

The players

Kevin Phan

A 20-year-old fisherman who bravely rescued a great white shark tangled in his fishing line at Hermosa Beach in Southern California.

Stephen Copeland

A witness who observed Phan's daring rescue and reported the incident to local news outlet KTLA.

George Lam

Another fisherman at the pier who expressed concerns about the increasing shark sightings in the area.

California State University at Long Beach

A university that has conducted studies showing juvenile great white sharks generally pose a low risk to humans at beaches, though their presence near shore to feed on small fish has led to more frequent encounters.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I saw a bunch people over there, and I ran down there like there's something going on. He was in his underwear... he said that was the second one of the day.”

— Stephen Copeland, Witness

“Don't know if I'm gonna be coming here as often because of that. Mostly just here for smaller fish, something get a quick bite.”

— George Lam, Fisherman

The takeaway

This dramatic rescue highlights the risks and responsibilities involved in recreational fishing, as well as the need for continued research and public education around the presence of juvenile great white sharks near popular beaches. While these sharks generally pose a low threat, their increasing proximity to shore underscores the importance of responsible fishing practices and respect for marine wildlife.