California Fisherman Frees Hooked Juvenile Shark

A 20-year-old fisherman in Southern California jumped into the ocean on Wednesday morning to free a juvenile great white shark he had accidentally hooked while casting from the Hermosa Beach Pier, drawing cheers from onlookers who captured the rescue on video.

The incident unfolded shortly after 9 a.m. when Kevin Phan, an experienced angler, realized the heavy tug on his line was not a typical catch but a young shark struggling near the shoreline. Without hesitation, Phan stripped down to his underwear, grabbed a pair of scissors, and waded into the surf amid crashing waves. Witnesses described him approaching the animal calmly, cutting the fishing line, and removing the hook from near its mouth. The shark initially appeared disoriented and tired from the fight, rolling with the waves, but Phan grabbed its tail and guided it toward deeper water until it regained its strength and swam away freely.

Bystanders, including local residents walking the beach and pier, quickly gathered to watch. Matthew McIvor, who filmed the scene with his wife, said he spotted the commotion while strolling and pulled out his phone after realizing the unusual nature of the catch. "He was super...