Digging deeper into Dungeness

In the past, this time of year would be when many Monterey Bay locals start planning their menus for Thanksgiving. Dungeness crab—a West Coast seafood delicacy—often tops the list. Whether it’s domoic acid caused by warmer water, the potential risk of entanglements with migrating whales, or tricky negotiations between fishermen and their buyers—the holiday season no longer guarantees fresh crab.

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A Special Halloween Report on Spooky Fishermen Superstitions

With Halloween here, it presents a timely moment to explore how superstitions help prevent spooky—and outright scary—situations on the sea. One is particularly Hallow’s Eve appropriate: Black cats, it turns out, are good luck to have onboard. Sailors with tattoos won’t drown (crosses and heart tattoos recommended), but uttering the word “pig” onboard invites bad luck (go for “sow” or “hog”). Read more to learn about some fun superstitions out at sea!

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Your pets can enjoy tasty local seafood now too!

The featured local delicacies at Pacific Pet Treats are delicious, but not for humans! They’re made specifically for your pets - healthy and sustainable seafood treats, like cod skins, halibut chews, and salmon chips. Pacific Pet Treats, located in downtown Monterey started with a sequence of inspirations that unfolded organically—on, around, and very much connected to Monterey Bay and its fishermen. Learn more by reading the full article here!

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The Surfer-fishers of Monterey Bay

Commercial fishing is unique: There’s no 9-to-5, no standardized wage, and no regularity to the schedule. In short, commercial fishing is a lifestyle more than a profession, and one that is tuned to the ebb and flow of the tide and the life cycles of wild fish. For many the water is not just an office, but a playground with a cadre of Monterey Bay fishermen also moonlighting as elite surfers who ride the giant—often 50-plus foot—waves of Monterey County and beyond.

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Nick Rahaim
Welcome to our new Executive Director, Melissa Mahoney!

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.

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California FarmLink - working to support the next generation of fishermen

In the Monterey Bay region, we are blessed with incredibly productive farmlands combined with an abundance and diversity of seafood. Farmers and fishermen have been feeding our community and the world for decades, and there are many similarities between the two livelihoods. Our team met with staff from California FarmLink to discuss the similarities between farmers and fishermen and the challenges they face and to explore potential opportunities for collaboration. Click here to keep reading and learn more!

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Get Hooked! At Big Sur Bakery, a Review and Beyond

The seafood proved flat-out spectacular, a rich and complex spread. There was smoked king salmon collar and black cod, tender abalone served on the shell with bright edible flowers, and seafood boudin, a French-style sausage packed with Dungeness crab, rock crab, and rockfish. The show at hand was the second installment of the new Get Hooked! Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust dinner series.

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The hidden history of women in Monterey Bay fisheries

Women have always played pivotal roles in the success of the commercial fishing industry, whether as cannery workers, fish cutters, biologists or business managers. Yet, their work has often been overlooked. To remedy this, we’ve taken a deep dive into the work of women in Monterey Bay fisheries, going back more than a century.

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Welcome, Shelley!

Meet the newest Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust team member, Shelley Dearhart! Shelley started as our Community Outreach Manager just before the New Year, and will be overseeing our community engagement efforts and marketing and communications strategies in support of our mission.

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