Reeling in the Dreams: Southern California Bluefin

Directed by Michael Fowlkes

Bluefin hadn’t been seen in Southern California waters in any numbers for almost 50 years. But when the feeding pins were set up off south of the boarder about a decade ago, an unexpected thing happened. With nothing else to do but swim in a giant pin and get fed, these initial school sized bluefin began spawning. Broadcast spawners the fertile eggs drifted outside the pins and a “new” school of baby bluefin tuna were created. With perfect water conditions and a plentiful supply of bait, these fish stayed around and year after year continued to grow and breed and before anyone really knew what was happening, we had a bluefin tuna fishery in our back yard. Initially 20 to 25-pound fish were being caught. Each consecutive year producing larger fish. This year we’re anticipating setting a new California state record when a 400-pound local fish will be captured.