government
Man uses drone to warn surfer of shark circling beneath him off California coast
By Danielle Abreu at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 19, 2026
· 1 min read
A California man’s morning surf was cut short after a frightening run-in with a shark off the coast of Santa Cruz.
Drone video captured near Seascape Beach in Aptos shows the surfer sitting on his board as a murky shape emerges in the distance.
The shark can then be seen closing in on him a...
Key takeaway Drone video captured near Seascape Beach in Aptos shows the surfer sitting on his board as a murky shape emerges in the distance.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The close call between the surfer and the shark off the coast of Santa Cruz has significant implications for beachgoers and surfers in Los Angeles County. While shark sightings are not uncommon in California, the fact that the surfer in this incident reported seeing more sharks near Seascape Beach over the years suggests a potential increase in shark activity in the area. This could lead to increased vigilance and safety measures at beaches in the Greater Los Angeles area, where surfing and other water activities are popular. The use of drones to monitor the coastline and alert swimmers and surfers to potential dangers is also an interesting development, and one that could be explored further in Los Angeles County, where technology and innovation are often used to enhance public safety. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife's data on shark bites will likely be closely watched in the coming months to see if there is a trend emerging.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 19, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A California man’s morning surf was cut short after a frightening run-in with a shark off the coast of Santa Cruz.
Drone video captured near Seascape Beach in Aptos shows the surfer sitting on his board as a murky shape emerges in the distance.
The shark can then be seen closing in on him a...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 19, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Danielle Abreu at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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