A fisherman at the Santa Monica Pier was pulled into the water by a small shark before a dramatic rescue by bystanders. The incident, captured on video and shared on social media, shows the man dangling from his fishing line before attempting to climb back onto the pier.
In the footage, the fisherman can be seen struggling in the water beside the pier. As he attempts to pull himself over the railing, he loses his grip and splashes back into the ocean. Onlookers eventually assist him back onto the pier.
The caption accompanying the video indicated that the fisherman had caught a juvenile shark that was too heavy and was pulling the line under the pier. The Santa Monica Pier is a popular spot for fishing, with no license required for activity on the pier itself, though a California Department of Fish and Wildlife license is necessary for fishing on the shore.
Health officials have previously advised caution regarding the consumption of certain fish caught near the pier due to potential contamination from mercury and PCBs.