Content Ad

This morning we posted a video of a free-swimming yellowfin tuna in Dana Point Harbor, an unusual sight indeed. But this video steps it up a notch.

After seeing the aforementioned video, Derek Marso, who owns and operates Valley Farm Market in Spring Valley (an awesome market with fresh seafood, meat, and vast selection of craft beers) submitted this video. The video was shot by his sister, who upon returning from Catalina Island by ferry to Dana Point Harbor, had seen several tuna swimming in the harbor. Others took notice, and as you see in the video, an angler prepared with a speargun, took a shot and successfully landed one of these fish right from the dock.

Dana Point Harbor is a small marina located right on Dana Point, 65 miles north of downtown San Diego.

Content Ad B

Last summer, and even already this year there were several reports of both yellowfin and bluefin tuna spotted within southern California harbors.

The unusually warm water is to credit for these wayward fish, as yellowfin tuna are typically found in local waters in the warmest months of summer, and offshore within the warm currents from Baja. The warm water is an indication that we be in store for one of history’s most significant El Niños.

See also: Top 10 fishy El Niño Signs

This man was likely violating California’s Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations. Although difficult to decipher for sure, it appears the combination of three regulations in particular provide a conclusion that this is not allowed.

Below are those three codes, and I’ve highlighted the portions that appear relevant to this scenario.

28.65. GENERAL. Except as provided in this article, fin fish may be taken only on hook and line or by hand. 28.90. DIVING, SPEARFISHING. Persons who are floating or swimming in the water may use spearfishing gear and skin or SCUBA diving equipment to take fin fish other than giant (black) sea bass, garibaldi, gulf grouper, broomtail grouper, trout, salmon or broadbill 28.95. SPEARS, HARPOONS AND BOW AND ARROW FISHING TACKLE. Spears, harpoons and bow and arrow fishing tackle may be used for taking all varieties of skates, rays, and sharks, except white sharks. Such gear may not be possessed or used within 100 yards of the mouth of any stream in any ocean waters north of Ventura County, nor aboard any vessel on any day or on any trip when broadbill swordfish or marlin have been taken. Bow and arrow fishing tackle may be used to take finfish other than giant (black) sea bass, garibaldi, gulf grouper, broomtail grouper, trout, salmon, broadbill swordfish and white shark.

Disclaimer: SDFish does not condone this type, or any illegal fishing activity. It is your responsibility as an angler to know and understand the regulations set forth in the 2015-2015 Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations, as well as all local laws in the area of which you’re fishing. This article was posted not to glorify any presumable accomplishment of the angler, but to highlight the unusual circumstances of a small school of tuna in the harbor.