Man enters settlement for depositing paint debris into Channel Islands Harbor
VENTURA, Calif. - Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that a Monterey man has entered a settlement for the unlawful deposit of toxic substances into the Channel Islands Harbor.
On Feb. 9, 2021, 56-year-old Frank Sal Aliotti of Monterey reportedly conducted routine maintenance on his commercial fishing boat “El Dorado.” The DA's Office said this maintenance unfortunately caused a substantial amount of paint debris to float into the harbor and coat nearby aquatic life.
The district attorney said Aliotti cooperated during the investigation and quickly instituted remedial measures to ensure a similar incident would not happen again.
Under the terms of the settlement, Aliotti will pay $4,000 for investigative costs and a $1,000 civil penalty to the District Attorney's Office. In addition, Aliotti is expected to pay $15,000 to the Channel Islands Harbormaster to provide oil spill response equipment and aerial and underwater drones so they can conduct image surveillance during safety operations in the harbor.
This settlement also requires Aliotti to comply with all applicable laws related to California Fish & Game Code section 5650.
This settlement is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife and the District Attorney’s Office Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit.
