Ventura County Fishing Violations Lead To Hefty Fines

Three fishermen illegally caught 80 fish in Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor, leading to almost $6,000 in fines.

Here are some details from the Ventura County Star:

A plea deal was reached recently with three fisherman stemming from a September incident in which they used illegal nets and illegally took nearly 80 fish near Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard.

Three Los Angeles County men were ordered to pay $5,725 each in fines after reaching the agreement in Ventura County Superior Court, said Lt. Jake Coombs of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The men pleaded guilty to misdemeanors for the use of the net, also known as a Hawaiian throw net that is illegal to use in the state of California, and for the illegal taking of 78 walleye surfperch on Hollywood Beach, he said.

CDFW also released the following Facebook post:

Poaching doesn’t pay! Poachers are subject to steep fines for fish and wildlife violations. One such poacher caught illegally using a throw net to take more than their limit of fish recently appeared in court and was found guilty on numerous counts with a fine totaling $5,725.

During the early morning hours of spiny lobster season opening weekend, wildlife officers aboard a patrol boat in the Channel Islands Harbor area of Ventura County saw a group near the north jetty at Hollywood Beach engaged in illegal netting activities. Coordinating with additional officers nearby, six suspects were detained. During the investigation, officers learned three of the anglers had been illegally using Hawaiian-style throw nets to take a variety of fish; they also possessed gross over-limits of surf perch.

Officers seized three throw nets and 78 fish illegally taken. Ultimately, three of the anglers determined to be responsible for the illegal activities were cited and released.