Grunion runs offer something to see at local beaches

MONTECITO, Calif. - Marco Farrell of Montecito has been on the lookout for grunion and this month he saw grunion runs on local beaches.

He shared video of a grunion run near the Butterfly Beach steps in Montecito during a recent high tide after midnight.

The long, slender fish are native to California and their mating season is an unusual sight to see.

The fish deposit their eggs in the sand and wiggle out before returning to the sea. The eggs remain buried in the sand for days before hatching and the newborn fish attempt to make it to the ocean.

The fisherman said you have to have a license if you intend to catch any and you have to be careful where you step.

Most people just want to experience it.

There will more grunion runs later this month.