SLO District Attorney Settles Lawsuit with Morro Bay Fishing Boat Operator

The 'Black Pearl' fishing vessel will pay penalties and follow fishing restrictions after violations.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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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 case involved the 'Black Pearl' charter boat service taking customers fishing in restricted waters and inaccurately reporting the species of rockfish caught.

Why it matters

Commercial fishing is a highly regulated industry in California to protect the long-term sustainability of the state's coastal ecosystems. This settlement highlights the importance of enforcing fishing laws and ensuring all operators follow the same rules to maintain a fair marketplace for law-abiding fishermen.

The details

In July 2025, California Department of Fish & Wildlife officers observed the 'Black Pearl' fishing in a restricted area and found the crew was not accurately reporting the species of rockfish caught by passengers. After being contacted by the District Attorney's Office, the company took steps to come into compliance, including upgrading their computer systems and training crew.

  • On July 12, 2025, CDFW officers spotted the 'Black Pearl' fishing in a restricted area.
  • On January 22, 2026, a San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge approved the settlement.

The players

Black Pearl Sportfishing LLC.

The company that operates the 'Black Pearl' commercial sport fishing charter boat.

Brian Walker

The commercial sport fishing operator of the 'Black Pearl' vessel.

California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW)

The state agency entrusted with protecting California's marine resources by enforcing fishing laws.

San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office

The local prosecutor's office that brought the civil enforcement action against Black Pearl Sportfishing LLC.

Judge Craig Van Rooyen

The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge who approved the settlement.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Dan Dow, District Attorney (edhat.com)

What’s next

The judge's order prohibits the 'Black Pearl' from exceeding daily fish catch limits and requires the crew to accurately report the specific species of rockfish caught by passengers.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the importance of strict enforcement of fishing regulations to ensure the long-term sustainability of California's coastal ecosystems and a fair playing field for all commercial fishing operators.