Welcome to our new Executive Director, Melissa Mahoney!

Welcome, Melissa! The Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust is excited to have one of its co-founders and a west coast fishery expert, Melissa Mahoney, as our new Executive Director. Melissa was instrumental in coordinating early efforts among key community leaders to engage and support the genesis of the Trust. Since then, Melissa has acted as an Advisor and a Board member, participating in the Trust’s growth, challenges, and successes along the way. Given her deep institutional knowledge of the organization, combined with over 20 years of west coast fisheries project management and policy engagement experience, we felt Melissa was best poised at this time to take the reins from long-time ED, Sherry Flumerfelt.

“We couldn’t be happier that Melissa has stepped into the ED role. She’s been along for the ride since we started, holding a vision that we are in the midst of carrying out now. ” says Board Chair Steve Scheiblauer.

She has spent the last 9 years as a conservation practitioner working across state/federal policy forums, helping to apply digital technologies in fisheries, and building partnerships for experimental fisheries such as rockfish hook and line in Monterey Bay. She is excited for this opportunity to be of service to the community in which she lives, working towards a vision she holds deeply - to see healthy, thriving local fisheries and fishing communities in Monterey Bay!

“I have always been able to count on Melissa’s thoughtfulness and wisdom to guide me in tough situations, and her local regional network is impressive – I can’t wait to see how she expands our reach even further”, said Sherry Flumerfelt.

We couldn't be more excited to have her on board. If you see Melissa out and about or down at the docks, make sure to say, "Hello!"