September 12, 2019

Question: This is something that comes up all the time with the guys I fish with in Baja. Is there some kind of way – say, a declaration form or something – in which anglers can legally bring Gulf Grouper or Broomtail Grouper legally taken in Baja into California? I have seen these fish brought back on long-range fishing boats out of San Diego. I am surprised these businesses would break the law, although it happens. The regulations seem clear to me: “May not be taken or possessed.” It’s the same wording prohibiting the take or possession of Garibaldi. (Chad C.)

Answer: You are correct. The California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 28.12 expressly prohibits the take or possession of Gulf Grouper or Broomtail Grouper in California – even if legally caught in Mexico. Should you see any long-range boats in California in possession of either of these species, you can report them anonymously to CalTIP at 1-888-334-CalTIP (1-888-334-2258) or by texting the tip to 847411.

These species are very rare in California waters today. Their protections date to the 1950s, when an expatriate population of these large fish were living off the La Jolla Cove area of San Diego and were very popular with divers. Back in the 1950s, sport fishing fleets were mostly incapable of venturing all the way into Mexican waters from California ports to fish as easily and comfortably as they can do today so it was easier at the time to ban any possession or importation of the fish.