Latest news with #SeaPearl
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Ventura County fishing boat captain fined $17,000 for polluting local waters
The Brief William Porter McHenry, owner of McHenry Fisheries, Inc., was fined for illegally dumping "stick water" from his vessel, Sea Pearl, into California waters. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife discovered that the Sea Pearl offloaded 206,298 pounds of squid before dumping stick water near Ventura Harbor. McHenry is required to pay $8,444.69 for environmental restoration, $6,555.31 in penalties and investigation costs, and $1,889.39 for unfair business practices. VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - A Ventura County commercial fishing boat captain has been fined thousands of dollars for illegally dumping toxic waste into California waters, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office announced Monday. What we know William Porter McHenry, owner of McHenry Fisheries, Inc., allowed the dumping of stick water from his vessel, Sea Pearl, into the ocean without crossing the state waters boundary line, according to the DA's office. Stick water, created during squid fishing, contains high levels of ammonia and is classified as harmful. Proper disposal requires it to be released at least three nautical miles offshore. It is stored in the vessel's hull after offloading and must be disposed of properly to prevent environmental harm. An investigation revealed the Sea Pearl was seen on Dec. 6, 2024 heading out to sea while releasing stick water, then turning back toward shore without crossing the state waters boundary line. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed the illegal dumping of 206,298 lbs. of market squid in the Ventura Harbor and revealed the vessel's navigation track logs, which confirmed that the Sea Pearl had never made it beyond the state waters border. What they're saying "This case highlights the importance of protecting our coastal waters," said Senior Deputy District Attorney Karen Wold. "Illegally dumping harmful waste threatens our marine ecosystem and the livelihoods of those who depend on it." By the numbers McHenry must pay $8,444.69 for environmental restoration, $6,555.31 in penalties and investigation costs, and $1,889.39 for unfair business practices. Funds from the settlement will go to the Ventura County Fish and Wildlife Fund and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to support environmental restoration efforts. The Source Information for this story is from a press release published by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office on April 21, 2025.
CBS News
22-04-2025
- CBS News
Fishing boat captain fined for dumping toxic waste into ocean off Ventura County coast
A commercial fishing boat captain was fined nearly $17,000 by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office for allegedly dumping toxic waste into waters along the California coast. They say that William Porter McHenry, who owns and operates McHenry Fisheries, Inc. and runs the 67-foot commercial fishing vessel Sea Pearl, allowed waste known as "stick water" to be dumped into the ocean on Dec. 6, 2024. "This waste can pollute the water and harm marine life," said a press release from the DA's office. "Authorities saw the Sea Pearl heading out to sea while releasing stick water, then turning back toward shore without crossing the state waters boundary line." Prosecutors described stick water as a byproduct of squid fishing. It's produced after squid are caught using seine nets and placed in the ship's fish hold, where they're stored in salt water. As the squid die, they release ink that contains high levels of ammonia, which turns the water dark and toxic and creates a harmful substance. "After the squid are offloaded onshore, the stick water and any leftover wastewater from the offloading process are stored in the vessel's hull," the release said. "Proper disposal requires it to be released at least three nautical miles offshore." Investigators with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife found that the Sea Pearl offloaded nearly 206,300 pounds of market squid at the Ventura Harbor before they received the stick water back from onshore tanks operated by Silver Bay Seafoods, the release noted. CDFW officers watched the vessel as it traveled past the Ventura Harbor break wall and allegedly dumped the stick water before turning back towards shore. "A CDFW warden boarded the Sea Pearl to inspect the vessel's fish holds and commercial fishing licenses. The inspection revealed that three of the four fish holds were completely empty, with only a small amount of stick water remaining in the fourth hold," the DA's office release said. "When asked to provide the vessel's most recent navigation track logs, McHenry complied, and the data confirmed that the Sea Pearl had never made it beyond the state waters border." McHenry was ordered to pay $8,444.69 for environmental restoration to the Ventura County Fish and Wildlife Fund and CDFW. He was also told to pay $6,555.31 in penalties and investigation costs to the DA's office, plus an additional $1,889.39 for unfair business practices.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
SoCal fishing boat captain fined for dumping toxic waste into ocean
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - A commercial fishing boat captain in Ventura County was ordered to pay fines for illegally dumping toxic waste into the ocean. What we know According to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, William Porter McHenry, who owns and operates McHenry Fisheries, Inc., allowed waste known as "stick water" to be dumped into the ocean. McHenry runs a 67-foot commercial fishing vessel named Sea Pearl. According to the DA's Office, authorities saw the Sea Pearl heading out to sea while releasing stick water, then turning back toward shore without crossing the state waters boundary line. An investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) revealed that the Sea Pearl offloaded 206,298 pounds of market squid in the Ventura Harbor before receiving back the stick water from onshore tanks operated by Silver Bay Seafoods. McHenry was ordered to pay $8,444.69 for environmental restoration, with funds going to the Ventura County Fish and Wildlife Fund and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. He also has to pay $6,555.31 in penalties and investigation costs to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, along with $1,889.39 for unfair business practices. What they're saying "This case highlights the importance of protecting our coastal waters," said Senior Deputy District Attorney Karen Wold. "Illegally dumping harmful waste threatens our marine ecosystem and the livelihoods of those who depend on it." The backstory Stick water is created during the squid fishing process. Squids are caught using seine nets and placed in the vessel's fish hold, where they are kept in saltwater. As the squid die, they release ink containing high levels of ammonia, turning the water dark and toxic. The mixture, known as stick water, is classified as a harmful substance. After the squid are offloaded onshore, the stick water and any leftover wastewater from the offloading process are stored in the vessel's hull. Proper disposal requires it to be released at least three nautical miles offshore.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Yahoo
Southern California fishing boat captain ordered to pay more than $16,000 for polluting local waters
The Ventura County District Attorney's Office announced Monday that a local fishing boat captain has been fined for illegally dumping toxic waste into the Pacific Ocean off the Southern California coast. William Porter McHenry, who owns and operates McHenry Fisheries, Inc., allowed waste known as 'stick water' to be dumped in the ocean, according to a VCDA release. The vessel run by McHenry Fisheries, the 67-foot Sea Pearl, was observed by authorities heading out to sea while releasing stick water and then returning on Dec. 6, 2024. Louis Vuitton burglary suspects in 3 vehicles escape from police Stick water is created during the squid fishing process, Ventura County officials said, explaining that squid are caught with nets and placed in the boat's fish hold, which is filled with saltwater. 'As the squid die, they release ink containing high levels of ammonia, turning the water dark and toxic,' the Ventura County DA's Office said in their release. 'This mixture…is classified as a harmful substance.' Once the squid are brought onshore, fishing companies are required by law to store the stick water and any leftover wastewater in their vessel's hull. They must then properly dispose of the stick water at least three nautical miles offshore, officials said, as it can harm local marine life. McHenry, however, did not do that, according to Ventura County authorities. 'An investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife revealed that the Sea Pearl offloaded 206,298 pounds of market squid in the Ventura Harbor before receiving back the stick water from onshore tanks operated by Silver Bay Seafoods,' VCDA's release stated. 'CDFW officers observed the vessel heading past the Ventura Harbor break wall, purportedly dumping stick water before turning back toward shore without ever reaching the state waters boundary line.' California Gov. Gavin Newsom reacts to death of Pope Francis When a CDFW warden boarded the Sea Pearl to inspect the vessel's fish holds and commercial fishing licenses, they found that three of the four fish holds were completely empty, with only a small amount of stick water remaining in the fourth hold. Upon McHenry submitting the vessel's recent navigation track logs, the warden was able to confirm that the Sea Pearl did not make it beyond the three-mile requirement. As part of the settlement, McHenry must pay nearly $17,000, including $8,444.69 for environmental restoration, $6,555.31 in penalties and investigation costs to the district attorney's office and $1,889.39 for unfair business practices. The environmental restoration funds will go to the Ventura County fish and Wildlife Fund as well as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
