Peninsula Fisherman Accused Of Illegally Trapping Crabs: DA

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A Peninsula fisherman is facing a civil suit for allegedly trapping crabs in a protected area, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office said.

The DA’s Office announced Tuesday that its Consumer & Environmental Unit has filed a civil law enforcement action against against George Jue, a commercial crab fisherman and owner/operator of the fishing vessel Take Time.

The complaint alleges that this was an unlawful business practice. It seeks an injunction to stop the practice, and civil penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation.

The civil complaint was filed Monday in San Mateo County Superior Court.

Marine Protected Areas are designated by law and offer protections for marine resources contained within those areas.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens on June 8 observed five buoys located inside the Western boundary line of the Montara State Marine Reserve (MSMR).

The MSMR is among two adjoining Marine Protected Areas that extend offshore from Montara to Pillar Point in San Mateo County. The Pillar Point State Marine Conservation Area is the other.

“When the buoys, and attached crab traps, were pulled, wardens discovered that the traps belonged to George Jue, a registered commercial Dungeness crab fisherman,” the DA’s Office said.

Wardens found 36 live Dungeness crabs when they opened the traps. The crabs were returned to the ocean.

“The purpose of marine protected area laws is to ensure the sustainability of marine resources by limiting or prohibiting fishing in certain areas, allowing for safe breeding grounds and sanctuaries for large female fish,” the DA’s Office said in a statement.

“Marine protected areas also help to boost fish populations in areas outside the designated protected area. Scientific documentation shows that marine reserves are successfully increasing the abundance and diversity of marine life. Studies also show that fish and invertebrates grow bigger in marine reserves than in unprotected areas, allowing them to produce substantially more young than smaller animals.”