Being the spouse of a commercial fisherman or woman is not easy: They’ll be gone for long hours if not days, income can vary wildly from year-to-year, and they make their living in one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. But for Kristen Deyerle, the challenges of being the better half of a commercial fisherman have been tempered by the adventure, community, and tradition of commercial fishing in Monterey Bay.

Jacobo, 33, grew up in Michoacán, Mexico and came to the United States when he was 19 years old. He now lives in Salinas with his wife and two children. He has worked for the Deyerle family for 8 years and has been a manager for 5 years.

There are many ways people get into the seafood business. For Jenn Gerard Lovewell of Real Good Fish, an early career providing locally sourced, nutritious meals to school children in cafeterias led her to her current work sourcing sustainable seafood from the Moss Landing docks.

Alan founded Real Good Fish (formerly Local Catch Monterey Bay in 2012) as a solution to reconnect our communities to the ocean and local fisheries. Alan was honored at the White House in 2016 as a “Champion of Change” for innovations in Sustainable Seafood.

Sabina Duran has worked in the seafood industry since 1992 when she started at Del Mar Seafoods. In 2001, she joined the team at Deyerle Brothers Seafood. With nearly 30 years of experience, Duran’s knowledge of the physiology of fish from the Monterey Bay might rival the scientists.

Andrew Hippert, manager of Moss Landing Boat Works, provides a tour of his boatyard and discusses projects underway and large investments in local infrastructure in the pipeline.

Dr. Mike Graham, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories professor and owner of Monterey Bay Seaweeds, shows how aquaculture can complement commercial fishing in Moss Landing.

Fisherman

Walter Deyerle is the quintessential waterman. When the 30-year-old is not making a living catching halibut, rockfish, sablefish and Dungeness crab on the Monterey Bay, he’s surfing, diving, boating and sport fishing. He’s even paddled out and caught waves at Mavericks, a monstrous break just north of Half Moon Bay.

Deckhand

Lorenzo grew up in Watsonville, but much of his education took place in Moss Landing and on the Monterey Bay. Starting at about the age of five, his father took him to the jetty and beach to fish, and then out on a motorboat to where they spent weekends baiting hooks and casting.

Wholesale Fish Buyer & Seller

Roger Whitney has been part of the Monterey Bay fishing community since he was a child. He grew up fishing for albacore, salmon and smelt in the Monterey Bay with his father.

Fisherman

Born into a fishing family, Jerid grew up on the ocean. Starting at the age of five, he spent his childhood fishing with his dad on albacore boats.

Fisherman & Fishmonger

Calder Deyerle fishes for Dungeness crab, King salmon, California halibut, black cod and rockfish on the Monterey Bay. He grew up crewing for his father Richard and uncle Daniel Deyerle, owners of Sea Harvest restaurants and a wholesale seafood business by the same name.