Posted by on April 27, 2005 at 04:53:51:
In Reply to: Spearing of huge sea bass sparks outcry from divers posted by on April 26, 2005 at 15:19:46:
Sea Bass Weighs 150 to 200 Pounds
LA JOLLA, Calif. -- A man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of using a spear gun to kill a protected sea bass in the La Jolla Ecological Preserve, 10News reported.
Omid Adhami, 34, and two other men, were spotted around 12:45 p.m. trying to lift the 150- to 200-pound black fish into his boat, said San Diego lifeguard Lt. Rick Wurts.
Lifeguards sent a rescue boat to the fishermen's vessel and discovered the dead sea bass, which had been shot with a spear gun, Wurts said.
The sea bass, which can grow to 500 pounds and live to the age of 50, is a "docile fish that you can swim right up to," Wurts said.
However, they only reproduce when they are older, and the fish that was killed appeared to be in its prime, the lieutenant said.
"What's so tragic about a black sea bass is that it's a majestic animal and they live to be very old," Wurts said.
Adhami was arrested by San Diego police on suspicion of shooting a protected species and fishing in a protected area, he said.
The case was turned over to the state Department of Fish and Game.