A CDFW investigation
“CDFW officers work to protect California’s precious resources by investigating those who violate laws meant to keep our environment and ecosystems safe from destruction and harm.”
– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SAN LUIS OBISPO – On March 4, 2024 the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office announced a settlement in a civil enforcement action with commercial fisherman Brad Leage, a commercial sport fishing operator. Leage operates the boat, “the Endeavor,” a 55-foot commercial charter fishing vessel based at Morro Bay. The charter boat service regularly takes dozens of paying passengers on deep sea fishing trips along the coastal waters of San Luis Obispo.
Commercial fishing is a highly regulated business in California with a purpose to protect the long-term sustainability of California’s coastal ecosystems. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers are entrusted with protecting the state’s precious marine resources by patrolling and enforcing fishing laws along California’s 840-mile-long 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 crew fishing on the trip and exceeded legal catch limits. Leage also admitted that some customers exceeded legal fish limits and caused the waste of fish.
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife rely upon 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 take fish and wildlife resources in California requires a high degree of mutual trust between the public and law enforcement. Commercial fishing regulations exist to ensure the health of our coastal ecosystems for the public’s continued enjoyment and for a sustainable commercial fishing industry.”
The stipulated civil judgment requires Leage to pay civil penalties totaling $12,000. The stipulated judgment also requires Leage to accurately report the number of fish caught on board during sport fishing trips. Finally, the judgment prohibits the crew of the Endeavor 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 follow applicable commercial fishing laws for the next 12 months and comply with the terms of the stipulated civil judgment.
The civil case was investigated by CDFW 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.
Here is a copy of the civil complaint. Here is a copy of the stipulated final judgment.
