Exotic species appear off California thanks to an unusually strong El Niño

Exotic tropical species migrating further north because of El Niño Weather phenomenon followed extended marine heat wave Fishermen love it, but kelp beds harmed and ecosystem altered By Daniel Trotta and Matt Silverstein DANA POINT, Calif., Oct 17 (Reuters) — The longfin bigeye fish was spotted in California for the first time last month, and the first sea turtles of any kind nested on California beaches. Meanwhile, a venomous yellow-bellied sea snake swam ashore as whale sharks and hammerheads cruised just off the coast. Exotic species have been visiting California's shores since an unusually strong El Niño weather phenomenon arrived this year. Occurring naturally every few years, El Niño brings warm ocean water farther north, and tropical species with it, providing California with a stunning visual display that has become ever more evident with the advent of drone and video technology. "There's kind of a buzz. Fishermen are loving it for sure. I'm as interested as anybody else. It's strange times," said Nate Jaros, vice president of animal care at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Other visitors include flying fish and manta rays. California had already experienced an un