Fish poachers hooked in protected Back Bay

After a group of people were caught illegally fishing in Newport’s Back Bay last weekend, officials said poaching in local waters likely happens more often than they know.

The Back Bay is a protected ecological reserve, and except for two specific spots, fishing of any kind is illegal. California Department of Fish and Game officials said they patrol the area often but don’t have enough staff to keep a constant watch.

“This is one group out of probably a dozen groups,” Fish and Game Warden Dave McNair said.

There are four fish and game wardens who patrol Orange County and parts of Los Angeles County, McNair said.

As the sun was setting Aug. 6, an observant Eastbluff resident spotted people fishing off an inflatable raft in the Back Bay andcalled police, who sent out Newport Beach Animal Control Officer Eric Metz.

Metz and several police officers combed the brushy area off Jamboree Road. In the growing darkness, they spotted four men fishing with a net off a small boat, Metz said.

When the men came ashore, officers questioned them, and the men denied fishing with the gill net — a specialized underwater net that traps fish by the gills, immediately killing the fish.

Once contacted by the authorities, Metz said the men and their families tried to hide the boat and net, and got rid of the fish.

“The wives threw the fish in the brush when they saw us going down there, so obviously they knew they were doing something wrong,” Metz said.

The men were given several citations, including unlawful taking of fish, fishing without a license and being inside a restricted area.

Gill nets are illegal without a commercial license because they catch a large number of fish, McNair said. There are size requirements for fishing, and by the time a fish has been trapped in the gill net, it’s already dead — too late to size it up and throw it back.

Like many, the alleged poachers have probably done it more than once, McNair said.

Because the few fish and game wardens can’t be everywhere at once, McNair said watchful residents who know the rules can be a big help.

“We don’t always 100% get the violators, but we do collect evidence, and it helps us,” McNair said.

“Folks being eyes and ears for their local area — it’s just like any neighborhood watch; it’s just a positive experience, positive outcome.”