Undercover California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials found the operator inaccurately reported crew numbers, exceeded catch limits
– The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office Special Prosecution Unit settled a civil enforcement action against commercial fisherman Brad Leage, a commercial sport fishing operator. Leage operates the boat, “the Endeavor,” a 55-foot commercial charter fishing vessel based in Morro Bay. The charter boat service regularly takes dozens of paying passengers on deep-sea fishing trips along San Luis Obispo’s coastal waters.
Commercial fishing is a highly regulated business in California with the goal of protecting the long-term continuity of California’s coastal ecosystems. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers are charged with protecting the state’s valuable marine resources by patrolling and enforcing fishing laws along California’s 840-mile coastline.
In 2019 and 2021, undercover CDFW officers participated in two sport fishing trips with Leage on the Endeavor. On both fishing trips, Leage admitted that he inaccurately reported the number of fishing crew members on the trip and exceeded legal catch limits. Leage also admitted that some customers exceeded the legal limit of fish and caused the fish to be wasted.
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife relies on commercial fishermen to accurately report fishing activities for the successful management of fisheries off our Central Coast,” said Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth. “The opportunity to harvest California’s fish and wildlife resources requires a high level of mutual trust between the public and law enforcement. Commercial fishing regulations exist to ensure the health of our coastal ecosystems for continued public enjoyment and for a sustainable commercial fishing industry.”
The assigned civil judgment requires Leage to pay civil penalties totaling $12,000. The stipulated judgment also required Leage to accurately report the number of fish caught on board during the sport fishing trip. Finally, the judgment prohibits Endeavor’s crew from fishing on paid customer trips during the 2024 fishing season.
In addition to the civil enforcement case, the case was also prosecuted criminally. In the criminal case, Leage agreed to obey applicable commercial fishing laws for the next 12 months and abide by the terms of the assigned civil judgment.
The civil case was investigated by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kenneth Jorgensen assigned to the District Attorney’s Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit. The criminal case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Amy Fitzpatrick and Sean Baird.
The DA’s Consumer and Environmental Enforcement Unit is dedicated to the fair enforcement of laws related to public health and safety. Environmental enforcement focuses on laws that protect public health and safety; including the generation, transportation, and disposal of regulated waste, damage to our natural environment and hazardous workplace conditions.
Environmental enforcement cases can be pursued in either criminal or civil court. Examples of such cases include illegal transportation or disposal of hazardous waste, illegal dumping or alteration of the streambed, and cases involving worker death or serious injury. The unit also aims to increase public awareness of environmental issues through presentations to local groups when called upon.
To report suspected violations of our environmental laws, call your local police department or, if within unincorporated county areas, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department Patrol Headquarters at (805 ) 781-4550. You can also find help at San Luis Obispo County Environmental Health Services.
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