Giant sea bass were often caught from fishing barges stationed along central and southern California in the 1920s and 1930s. Commercial catch for the species peaked in 1932 and began a dramatic decline in both California and Mexican waters. In 1981, California's government banned intentional fishing for giant sea bass in coastal waters. Since 1996, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has placed giant sea bass on its Red List as a critically endangered species. Adding to the conservation challenges are the species' limited geographic range, depleted genetic diversity and prolonged maturation. In combination with the banning of gill nets from state waters and the closing of the giant sea bass fishery, scientists hope giant sea bass populations will recover over time. Filmed with help from Los Angeles Parks and Recreation and Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.