October 2023 - Director's Corner

I was struck by a  statement from a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle about the status of California’s commercial fisheries. 

Summarizing the current state of our ailing salmon and crab fisheries, author Tara Duggan stated “California’s $200 million commercial fishing industry could become the state’s first big casualty of climate change, along with related businesses like charter boat companies and fish processors.”

This made my heart sink. 

I know it’s really tough right now in the fishing industry, but the word “casualty” takes it to a whole new level. Is fishing as a community based, intergenerational and independent industry going away on our watch? 

It didn’t seem like that long ago that things were looking up for our local fisheries. Younger fishermen were making investments in permits and vessels, community supported fisheries and dock sales were getting popular as a direct pipeline from boat to plate, and the local seafood movement seemed to be picking up speed. So what happened? 

Climate change, for one. Covid, strike two. Inflation, strike three. 

And yet, when I visit our harbors, I still see boats operating and some level of activity. When I ask fishermen how they are getting along, their response is brief and I can feel the disappointment, frustration, and concern. I also see grit and perseverance. 

It’s like some part of them is exhausted and wants to give up, but they just can’t. Not yet. 

They are still waiting for word on federal disaster relief (the status is pending) which is unlikely to come through for another year at least. They are holding out a glimmer of hope that the fall/winter Dungeness crab season might keep them afloat. And now, they have to contend with a sudden closure of nearshore groundfish in state waters due to concerns for a non-target species, quillback rockfish. 

As the head of an organization dedicated to local sustainable fisheries and healthy fishing communities, I too am disappointed, frustrated, and concerned. 

But something  gets me going each morning: Our fishing community. If they won’t give up, I’m certainly not going to. 

We will keep celebrating local seafood, and supporting our local harvesters. If you want to help, please check out our Local Catch Guide for where you can purchase local seafood — or better yet, take a trip to one of our harbors on a Saturday morning and buy it off the boat!