Corona del Mar Man Cited for Spearing Giant Sea Bass

A Corona del Mar was recently cited by the California Department of Fish and Game for illegally taking a giant sea bass, state officials reported.

Scott Andrew Carlton, 30, of Corona del Mar, was spearfishing about 7:30 p.m. Friday at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point when he speared a protected black sea bass, according to a news release issued by the DFG.

A concerned citizen took a photo of Carlton and his catch, then notified a nearby CHP officer who detained Carlton, authorities reported. He was later cited by Fish and Game Warden Justin Sandvig, but said he was unaware that taking a giant sea bass is a misdemeanor.

“Ignorance of the law is no excuse especially when poaching state protected species,” Capt. Dan Sforza, of DFG’s Law Enforcement Division, said in a released statement. “Giant black sea bass are endeared my many ocean enthusiasts because of their size and docile nature.”

According to the DFG, prior to the 1950s a large numbers of giant black sea bass could be found in the waters off of Southern California, but most of these large creatures were harvested for their value as photographic trophies.

Black sea bass reside mostly near the shoreline in deep rocky environments and can grow up to 500 pounds and be seven feet long.