District Attorney settles civil lawsuit with Morro Bay operator of commercial fishing party boat “The Black Pearl”
District Attorney settles civil lawsuit with Morro Bay operator of commercial fishing party boat “The Black Pearl”

District Attorney settles civil lawsuit with Morro Bay operator of commercial fishing party boat “The Black Pearl”

Author: District Attorney
Date: 2/23/2026 1:39 PM

District Attorney Dan Dow announces that Black Pearl Sportfishing LLC., the owner of the “Black Pearl” fishing vessel, and its operator, Brian Walker, agree to pay $12,600 in penalties and restitution and abide by fishing restrictions when taking customers sport fishing.

The Special Prosecutions Unit of the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office has settled a civil enforcement action with Black Pearl Sportfishing LLC., and its commercial sport fishing operator, Brian Walker. “The Black Pearl” charter boat service regularly takes dozens of paying passengers on deep-sea fishing trips along the coastal waters of San Luis Obispo County.   

Commercial fishing is a highly regulated business in California with the purpose of protecting the long-term sustainability of California’s coastal ecosystems. Officers of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) are entrusted with protecting the state’s marine resources by patrolling and enforcing fishing laws along California’s 840-mile-long coastline. 

On July 12, 2025, California Department of Fish & Wildlife officers were on patrol in the “Bluefin” vessel in foggy conditions near Piedras Blancas in San Luis Obispo County when they identified on radar a suspected boat drifting inside a restricted fishing area. The captain of the “Bluefin” lowered a small patrol boat and dispatched two officers to investigate.

Using radar and command instructions from the “Bluefin,” the officers located and identified the “Black Pearl” in the fog and observed 20 customers fishing in waters seasonally prohibited to fishing. Later, an audit by the CDFW of the electronic fish logs submitted to the State by the crew of the “Black Pearl” revealed it was not accurately recording the species of rock fish being caught by its passengers.   

After being contacted by the District Attorney’s Office, Black Pearl Sportfishing LLC. immediately took steps to come into compliance with reporting requirements by replacing the vessel’s computer hardware system and training the crew members in its usage.   

On Monday, January 26, 2026, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Craig Van Rooyen approved the settlement stipulation and issued an order that requires Black Pearl Sportfishing LLC. and Mr. Walker to pay $10,600 in civil penalties.

They also agreed to pay $2,000 to the San Luis Obispo County Fish and Game Fund, a program under which funds are exclusively used for programs and projects that benefit the fish and wildlife of San Luis Obispo County. The order also prohibits the business from exceeding daily fish catch limits set by law and requires the boat's crew to report the specific species of rockfish that its customers catch.   

“Civil enforcement actions like this are essential to protect our precious marine resources and to make sure that everyone who does business on our coast plays by the same rules,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “By holding violators accountable, we safeguard the long‑term sustainability of our coastal waters and ensure a fair marketplace for the many law‑abiding commercial fishermen who depend on them.”

The civil case was investigated by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kenneth Jorgensen, assigned to the District Attorney's Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit.  

Here is a copy of the civil complaint.  Here is a copy of the stipulated final judgment. 

Our Consumer and Environmental Enforcement Unit is committed to preserving fair business competition and the fair enforcement of laws relating to public health and safety. Environmental enforcement focuses on the laws that protect public health and safety; including the generation, transportation and disposal of regulated waste, damage to our natural environment and hazardous work-place conditions.  

Environmental enforcement cases can be pursued in either criminal or civil court.  Examples of such cases include illegal transportation or disposal of hazardous waste, illegal streambed dumping or alteration, and cases involving worker death or serious injury.  The unit also aims to increase public awareness of environmental issues through presentations to local groups when called upon. 

To report suspected violations of our environmental laws, call your local police department or, if within the unincorporated areas of the county, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department Patrol Headquarters at (805) 781-4550.   You may also find assistance at San Luis Obispo County Environmental Health Services.

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.

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