The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office has filed a civil complaint against a crab fisherman who allegedly illegally harvested crabs from a protected area.
An announcement from the Bureau's Environmental and Consumer Unit reports that a civil complaint was filed on Monday against George Jue for allegedly catching 36 live Dungeness crabs in traps located in a Marine Protected Area on January 8, 2022.
The complaint alleges that Jue's actions constitute an unlawful business practice and seeks an injunction to stop the conduct and civil penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation.
The area is located off the coast from Montara to Pillar Point in San Mateo County and is designated as protected to allow for safe breeding grounds and a sanctuary for large female fish, according to the District Attorney's Office.
The protected designation prohibits any person from injuring, damaging, taking or possessing any living marine, geological or cultural resource without a scientific collection permit or specific authorization.
“Marine protected areas also help increase fish populations in areas outside the designated protected area,” the district attorney’s announcement reads. “Scientific documentation shows that marine reserves are successfully increasing the abundance and diversity of marine life.”
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