The
Return of the Black Sea Bass:
Good News and Bad
It looks like the moratorium on the taking or possession of black sea bass is having its desired effect in that divers at all the Channel Islands are reporting frequent sightings of these once nearly extinct critters. In one case, a pair of divers off Anacapa nearly went berserk trying to take photos of a school of seven "smaller" fish weighing between an estimated 50 to 250 pounds!
The news is good along the coast, as well as with beach divers in Malibu, Santa Monica, Palos Verdes and Laguna Beach, enjoying the awesome experience of seeing these magnificent creatures.
So what could be the bad news about the miraculous return of the black sea bass? Well, apparently some people are unwilling to appreciate these gentle creatures visually. Divers off Anacapa Island have found evidence in the form of two severed heads from cleaned blacks that someone has been taking these fish home for dinner - not as guests, but as the main course! After locating the heads, and recovering one for evidence, divers reported their disheartening find to local Park Rangers and the California Department of Fish and Game. Anyone witnessing the taking of black sea bass should notify either Park rangers by calling on VHF marine radio channel 16, or the California Department of Fish and Game's "We Tip" number (888-DFG-CALTIP).
For those who have not had the pleasure of seeing one of these fish "at home" it is something to look forward to. Despite the appellation "black" sea bass, they are, when seen underwater, usually a very light silvery-purple color with large dark polka-dots scattered over their chunky bodies. Though this color and pattern is most pronounced on the "puppies," smaller fish up to a couple hundred pounds, even the larger ones can be spotted sporting the same design. The only time a black sea bass actually looks black, is when they are dead.
These are wonderful creatures and their return to our local waters after decades of decline is a blessing, and adds yet another benefit to the Southern California diving experience. Yet if uncaring scofflaws are allowed to prey on black sea bass, we may yet again face the loss of these magnificent denizens of the kelp beds.
