Warming Ocean Waters are Raising Stingray Concerns on the South Coast

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – The warming waters this year in the Pacific Ocean are believed to be a component to the rising numbers of stingray encounters in Southern California, including along the Carpinteria coast.

Special signs can be seen at the Carpinteria beaches urging people getting in the water to move their feet back and forth as part of the "stingray shuffle." That will stir up the stingrays where they are hiding in the sand and move them on.

At the Carpinteria and Santa Claus Lane beaches many people in and out of the water were aware of the sting ray issue due to the changing water conditions.   

Two people who had been stung this summer said they were in high pain and the hot water treatment made a significant difference to reduce the pain. One person had an infection and it took antibiotics to bring it under control.

Theresa Smith said, however, the sting ray was not in the sand but swimming at the time it struck with its venomous barb on the tail.

Lifeguards further south in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties have reported a significant rise in stingray encounters, calls for service and on the scene treatments. In some cases lifeguards, fire crews and medics are responding.

(More details, photos and video will be added here later today.)

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