SAN DIEGO, CA — The unique phenomenon of the grunion run is occurring this week, offering residents and visitors one of the final opportunities of the season to witness this extraordinary experience along the Southern California coast.
The grunion, a small silver fish measuring between six and eight inches, has a distinctive breeding ritual that sets it apart from other marine life. This fish is known for its remarkable behavior of coming ashore in large numbers during mating season, specifically during the new and full moon phases.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the upcoming grunion runs are scheduled for Thursday night through the weekend, indicating it may be one of the best opportunities to observe this spectacle this summer.
Typically, female grunions will lay around 3,000 eggs at once, with a total of up to 18,000 eggs throughout the mating season. After the females deposit their eggs in the sand, male grunions follow closely behind to fertilize them before they all return to the ocean on the incoming tides. This captivating event creates a scene on the California coast that resembles a shimmering blanket of silver fish dancing in the waves.
The grunion’s mating season spans from the spring into the summer, and the clock is ticking on this year’s runs. Here are the prime locations to witness the grunion in action before their season ends: Surfer’s Knoll in Ventura County, Malibu Cove, Santa Monica Beach and the Pier area, Redondo and Torrance Beach, San Pedro area beaches, Cabrillo Beach, Seal Beach, Cherry Beach in Long Beach, Huntington State Beach and Pier, Newport Beach and Balboa Peninsula, Capistrano State Beach and Doheney Beach, Carlsbad State Beach, Tamarack Beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea Beach, San Elijo Beach, and Coronado Ferry Landing Beach, all of which provide ample opportunities to spot these fish.
The timing for the grunion runs is crucial; they typically emerge in two-hour intervals, with each run providing a chance to see them up close. The confirmed dates for grunion runs in July and August are as follows:
– July 10: 9:25 to 11:25 p.m.
– July 11: 10:05 p.m. to 12:05 a.m.
– July 12: 10:45 p.m. to 12:45 a.m.
– July 13: 11:25 p.m. to 1:25 a.m.
– July 24: 9:35 to 11:35 p.m.
– July 25: 10:15 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.
– July 26: 10:55 p.m. to 12:55 a.m.
– July 27: 11:35 p.m. to 1:35 a.m.
– August 9: 9:55 to 11:55 p.m.
– August 10: 10:35 p.m. to 12:35 a.m.
– August 11: 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.
– August 12: 12:05 to 2:05 a.m.
– August 23: 10 p.m. to midnight.
– August 24: 10:35 p.m. to 12:35 a.m.
– August 25: 11:15 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.
– August 26: 11:50 p.m. to 1:50 a.m.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends attendees to approach these events with patience, noting that the second hour of a grunion run is often the most fruitful.
Currently, it is open season for grunion fishing; individuals 16 and older with a valid fishing license are permitted to catch them. However, strict regulations apply: grunion can only be taken by hand, trapping methods involving digging holes are prohibited, and each person is limited to a catch of 30.
While many popular beaches host grunion runs, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife advises against recommending specific locations due to varying safety conditions and local regulations. For the latest updates on where runs have occurred, calling local beach lifeguards can provide valuable information.
This natural spectacle is one that attracts many both locals and visitors alike, making it an essential summer experience not to be missed.
image source from：patch
