LOS ANGELES — A commercial fisherman sued the owner of the oil pipeline that spilled thousands of gallons of crude on the Santa Barbara coast, alleging the environmental disaster would cause decades of harm to the shore and hurt many businesses.

Stace Cheverez said in the suit filed Monday in Los Angeles federal court that Plains All American Pipeline has a poor safety record and didn't have proper equipment to prevent a spill, such as valves that automatically would have shut down the pipeline if there was a leak.

The suit alleging negligence and liability under state and federal laws does not specify damages but said they will exceed $5 million.

A Plains spokeswoman said the company does not comment on legal matters, but it is addressing claims filed against it. Company officials have apologized for the spill and defended its safety record.

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