By Redaccion
Redaccion@latinocc.com
A commercial fishing boat captain in Ventura has been fined for dumping toxic waste into California’s state waters. State authorities reported that the contaminant known as “stick water” poses a serious threat to marine life and must be properly disposed of.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced that William Porter McHenry, owner and operator of McHenry Fisheries, Inc., will have to pay fines for illegally releasing toxic waste into the ocean from his 67-foot commercial vessel, Sea Pearl.
The incident occurred on December 6, 2024, when McHenry allowed “stick water” to be discharged at sea. This substance, generated during squid fishing, contains high levels of ammonia and can severely harm the marine ecosystem. Authorities observed the Sea Pearl heading out to sea while releasing the waste, then returning to shore without crossing the state waters boundary, violating environmental regulations.
“This case underscores 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.”
Stick water is produced when squid, caught using purse seine nets, are held in saltwater tanks in the boat’s hold. As the squid die, they release ammonia-rich ink, turning the water dark and toxic. After the squid are unloaded onshore, the stick water is returned to the vessel for disposal, which must occur at least three nautical miles from shore, as required by law.
An investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) revealed that the Sea Pearl offloaded 206,298 pounds of squid at Ventura Harbor. It then received the stick water back from tanks operated by Silver Bay Seafoods. CDFW officers observed the vessel pass the harbor break wall and appear to discharge the waste before turning back, never reaching the required offshore disposal limit.
A CDFW warden boarded the Sea Pearl to inspect its fish holds and fishing licenses. Three of the four holds were empty, with only a small amount of stick water remaining in the fourth. McHenry provided the vessel’s most recent navigation track logs, which confirmed the boat never crossed the boundary of state waters.
As part of a legal settlement, McHenry must pay $8,444.69 for environmental restoration, with funds allocated to the Ventura County Fish and Wildlife Fund and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. He must also pay $6,555.31 in penalties and investigative costs to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, as well as $1,889.39 for unfair business practices.
