Harbor commission postpones vote on barge’s mooring permit

The Newport Beach harbor commission did not vote Wednesday on whether to support a new mooring permit for a barge used to raise white sea bass near Balboa Peninsula.

The Pacific Fisheries Enhancement Foundation, which is affiliated with the Balboa Angling Club, operates the barge.

Harbor commissioners delayed a vote to see if barge operators could meet a Nov. 15 deadline to make repairs to the facility.

The City Council will have final say on whether the foundation receives a new mooring permit. At the same meeting, the commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve new anti-sea lion ordinances.

The ordinances are designed to deny the animals food and rest space around the harbor.