A right whale dives below the water surface north of the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal as a fishing boat heads west into the canal. A group of 30 right whales were reported feeding during the mid-day seen from a news helicopter overhead. Photo taken on April 15, 2025
Ventura County – The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday that William Porter McHenry, a local fishing boat captain, has been fined for illegally dumping toxic waste into the Pacific Ocean off the Southern California coast.
McHenry, who owns and operates McHenry Fisheries, Inc., was found to have allowed waste known as “stick water” to be dumped from his fishing vessel, the 67-foot Sea Pearl. The incident occurred on December 6, 2024, when authorities observed the Sea Pearl heading out to sea and releasing the toxic mixture before returning to shore.
Stick water, a byproduct of the squid fishing process, is a mixture of ink and ammonia released by squid as they die in the fish hold. According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office (VCDA), this mixture is highly toxic and classified as a harmful substance. It is created when squid, caught in nets, are placed into a fish hold filled with saltwater. As the squid perish, they release ink, which can pose a significant threat to local marine life.
Under California law, fishing companies are required to store stick water and any leftover wastewater in the vessel’s hull while at sea. The waste must then be disposed of properly at least three nautical miles offshore to prevent harm to marine ecosystems. However, an investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) revealed that the Sea Pearl did not comply with these regulations.
After offloading 206,298 pounds of market squid in Ventura Harbor, the Sea Pearl was seen by CDFW officers heading past the Ventura Harbor break wall, reportedly dumping the stick water before turning back toward shore. The vessel never reached the three-mile offshore requirement, as confirmed by the CDFW after reviewing the Sea Pearl’s navigation logs. During an inspection, officers found three of the boat’s four fish holds empty, with only a small amount of stick water remaining in the fourth hold.
As a result of the illegal dumping, McHenry has agreed to a settlement that includes a fine of nearly $17,000. This amount covers environmental restoration costs, penalties, and investigation expenses. Specifically, $8,444.69 will be allocated for environmental restoration, $6,555.31 will go toward penalties and investigation costs for the district attorney’s office, and $1,889.39 will be for violations related to unfair business practices. The environmental restoration funds will be directed to the Ventura County Fish and Wildlife Fund and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The fine serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of illegal waste disposal and the importance of protecting California’s marine environment.
