Imagine: A Promise Scholars and McNair Scholars Journal

This study focuses on the critically endangered giant sea bass (Stereolepis gigas) and the current conservation efforts to help preserve the species. The giant sea bass is the largest bony fish on the California coast measuring up to 7 feet and weighing about 255 kilograms. They nearly went extinct due to their slow growth rate, predictable aggregations, and heavy fishing pressure. There are commercial and recreational landing restrictions in California that make it illegal to catch giant sea bass, yet fishing activities remain legal in Mexico. Although past fishing regulations have successfully increased the giant sea bass population, there is more that can be done to prevent future declines. Various research projects are expanding our understanding of giant sea bass, such as UC Santa Barbara’s Spotting Giant Sea Bass project, UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and a marine research lab at CSU Northridge; all are determined to develop the most efficient conservation strategies to help increase the species’ population. Based on data from past regulations and current research on giant sea bass, marine protected areas should be expanded geographically to further increase the protection of the species, especially in aggregation and nursery habitats. Implementing expanded protection areas would eliminate incidental catch-and-release mortality of giant sea bass, significantly reduce the sale of the species in fish markets, and allow for young-of-year and juveniles to survive and mature into adults.