From Lines to Fines: Using Technology and Partnership to Safeguard Ocean Resources
By Katie O’Donnell
On a December morning in 2022, the crew aboard the commercial passenger fishing vessel (CPFV, aka “party boat”) Pacific Voyager embarked on what should have been a typical fishing trip. As the sport fishing vessel maneuvered along the coastline, they cast their lines, seemingly unaware of the invisible boundaries that mark one of California’s most critical marine reserves. But what they didn’t know was that this illegal action was being monitored. High above the shoreline, a sophisticated radar system tracked their progress, zeroing in as they crossed into protected waters.
What unfolded next would send ripples far beyond the waves of the South La Jolla State Marine Reserve (SMR) in San Diego. The captain of the vessel, Mark Oronoz, had triggered a cutting-edge partnership between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), local law enforcement, and conservation organization WILDCOAST. It was a partnership that would soon ensure justice was served.
Using GPS coordinates provided by WILDCOAST and ProtectedSeas’ Marine Monitor (M2) radar system, officers swiftly moved to intercept the Pacific Voyager before it could leave the protected zone. The system, which utilizes radar technology with real-time data to track potential poaching behavior, confirmed that the vessel was fishing inside a designated no-take reserve, where all forms of resource extraction, including fishing, are strictly prohibited.
What followed was a textbook operation: officers approached the sportfishing boat as it exited the reserve, confirming the illegal catch, and gathering evidence. By December 2023, Captain Oronoz stood before a court, pleading guilty to fishing in a protected area. He received a year of summary probation, five days of community service, and a fine that, while modest, sent a clear message: violations of California’s marine protected areas (MPAs) will not be tolerated.
“The M2 system was specifically designed to monitor and identify illegal activities in areas like this no-take reserve in South La Jolla,” said Brendan Tougher, M2 Product Manager at ProtectedSeas. “We are thrilled that our system can successfully support law enforcement and our community partners to protect these important marine areas from illegal fishing.”
This case is more than just a tale of high-tech enforcement—it’s a reminder of the fragility of our ocean ecosystems and the ongoing need to protect them from illegal exploitation. The South La Jolla SMR, a five-square-mile underwater reserve, is a biological hotspot containing some of Southern California’s most diverse marine life. Here, giant kelp forests sway with the tides, sheltering species like yellowtail, abalone, and even the occasional gray whale passing through on its annual migration. Beneath the waves, rocky reefs teem with life, and delicate intertidal zones brim with organisms that keep the ocean’s intricate web of life in balance.
But it’s not just the beauty of this underwater world that makes it special—its ecological importance extends to future generations. By protecting these critical habitats, MPAs help ensure the sustainability of marine species that are vital to both biodiversity and the economy. When illegal fishing occurs within these zones, it threatens not only the immediate wildlife but also the long-term health of the ocean and the livelihoods of folks that rely on the ocean’s well-being.
“Illegal fishing operators inexcusably and illegally cause long-term damage to the marine ecosystem for their own personal gain,” said San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott, whose office prosecuted the case. “We are proud to work with our law enforcement partners at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to hold these offenders accountable. And we’re especially grateful to WILDCOAST and ProtectedSeas, who’ve successfully developed technology that advances our ability to protect our treasured natural resources.”
And while most fishers follow the law, the few bad actors that do violate MPA regulations threaten the health and sustainability of these areas for us all.
A Web of Protection
California’s network of MPAs, established through a collaborative public planning process, is one of the most comprehensive in the world, covering roughly 16% of the state’s waters. These MPAs are designed to act as refuges for marine life. These underwater parks also safeguard critical habitats which create thriving cultural and natural resources with great economic value.
The South La Jolla SMR is part of this global effort, offering protection to an area that is home to an array of species vital to California’s marine biodiversity. Yet, despite the existence of these boundaries, enforcement can often be challenging. That’s where modern technology comes into play.
The M2 system, designed by ProtectedSeas, is a game-changer for nearshore ocean conservation. By using a combination of radar and camera systems, it autonomously monitors coastal waters for vessel activity 24/7, providing real-time data to law enforcement agencies like the CDFW. In remote and rugged nearshore areas where on-the-ground enforcement is nearly impossible, the M2 system provides eyes on the water—catching illegal fishing operations in the act, as it did with the Pacific Voyager.
This high-tech surveillance system isn’t just about punishment, though. It’s about ensuring that the ocean’s ecosystems have a fighting chance in an era where human impacts—both intentional and accidental—are taking their toll on the planet’s waters. Effective monitoring and enforcement ensures our oceans are healthy, safe, and bountiful for years to come.
The Ongoing Fight for Marine Conservation
For conservation organizations like WILDCOAST, this case is a significant victory. Since 2000, WILDCOAST has worked tirelessly to protect marine ecosystems along the Pacific coast of North America. Our partnership with ProtectedSeas and CDFW has made strides in securing the future of vital habitats.
The fight to preserve our oceans is far from over. The case of the Pacific Voyager serves as a reminder that, with the right tools and partnerships, we can hold those who harm the environment accountable. But it also highlights the importance of public awareness of regulations and of continued investment in transparent technologies that support monitoring and enforcement that helps safeguard these precious ecosystems.
California’s conservation story has and will continue beyond the illegal fishing case in the waters of South La Jolla. With the passing of the Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 210 in September of 2024, the state of California formally recognized MPAs as a critical tool to protect biodiversity and build climate resilience along our coasts and in our waters. State agencies, with the support of non-governmental groups, scientists, and community members, will propel the conservation of valuable ocean resources forward.
As more MPAs are established and new technologies like the nearshore M2 system are deployed, California is setting an example for how modern conservation efforts can evolve in an increasingly industrialized world. With successful monitoring and the continued cooperation between government agencies, local nonprofits, and cutting-edge technology, California’s waters and natural resources can thrive and provide for current and future generations.
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