“It is important that we have law enforcement and investigative agencies that work to protect our environment, fish and wildlife, and hold accountable those who illegally dump toxic substances into state waters.” – CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
VENTURA COUNTY – On April 21, 2023, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced that Silver Bay Seafoods – California LLC, has entered a settlement following the illegal dumping of toxic substances into state waters.
On December 22, 2021, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) witnessed squid ink being released into Ventura Harbor. Silver Bay Seafoods, a commercial seafood processing business, was offloading squid from a fishing vessel that resulted in a large amount of squid ink wastewater, known as stick water, to be released into the harbor.
Squid ink wastewater is lethal to fish and marine life due to its high concentration of ammonia. Fishing vessels are prohibited from releasing squid ink wastewater inside of state waters and are required by law to transport the wastewater three nautical miles offshore for disposal.
A second incident of illegal discharge of squid ink wastewater was discovered and documented by a Ventura County District Attorney’s Office environmental specialist on January 7, 2022. The environmental specialist observed the discharge of dark colored wastewater coming from the Silver Bay Seafoods’ dock hose line in Ventura Harbor. Photos and videos taken by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office captured the unlawful release of stick water.
Under the terms of the settlement, Silver Bay Seafoods will pay $12,500 in penalties to the Ventura County Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund and $12,500 in penalties to the CDFW Fish and Game Preservation Fund. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office obtained $5,000 in civil penalties and $6,815.04 for the entirety of investigative costs. The total settlement was $36,815.04.
Along with the monetary settlement, Silver Bay will create written protocols for stick water disposal which will require acknowledgment and signature by all employees. They will produce educational materials including a graphic illustrating the impact of stick water on sea life and will invest in upgrades to their processing equipment at the Ventura facility to safeguard from similar events happening in the future.
