Storms can cause big damage, but as some San Diegans are learning, it can also lead to a big catch. Dozens of blue fin tuna are washing ashore in Imperial Beach, and experts think they know why.
Blue fin tuna are known as ‘hard tails’ because they’re elusive and difficult to catch, but Michael Ganey stumbled upon one while he was walking along the sand, checking the surf in Imperial Beach. His fish tale is enough to surprise just about any avid angler.
“It was probably 35 to 40 pounds solid, still kicking, still alive, I grabbed it, picked it up by its tail, did the routine of pull the gill plate out and the next thing you know I've got fresh sashimi for dinner,†he said.
So how did it get there? The Department of Fish and Game believes last week’s powerful storm broke some of the farming pens off the coast of Northern Baja, allowing the fish to escape.
“There’s no report of how many pens were taken down but there's definitely blue fin-grade tuna, yellow fin, right here on the beach.â€
Rusty Brooks, a waitress at the 'Ye Old Plank Inn says beachcombers have scooped up as many as 25 giant tunas so far.
“Oh, they’re excited, they’re like ‘Oooh, I got a tuna!’ You know tuna is so expensive,†Brooks said.
Expensive is right. A 35-pound tuna can net anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 in the Japanese market.
Brooks was working the day Ganey hooked his prized tuna and snapped a cell phone photo.
“He goes over and picks it up and comes in all excited and asks me if he could borrow some ice and I go what for? And he says ‘I got a tuna on the beach, I want to put it on ice,’†Brooks said.
Now Brooks says she's looking forward to a little return on her investment.
“He’s [Ganey] supposed to come back with some filets for the ice I gave him,†she said.
While officials aren't citing Ganey, the Department of Fish and Game says taking live fish from the ocean is illegal and is considered fishing without a license. If you're caught officers have the option of giving you a warning or issuing a citation that could run you anywhere from $120 to $500.
Officials say there’s no way to know how many tuna escaped from the farming pens, but wouldn't be surprised if more wash up over the next few days.
