July 2023 - The Director's Corner
I heard the term ‘mailbox fisherman’ recently, in reference to the 2023 salmon closure that will keep fishermen off the water this year and looking to their mailboxes instead for payment from the government. We all chuckled at the witty joke and dark humor, and yet it points to a painful reality that more and more fishermen are being paid not to fish. The number of fishery disaster requests in the last seven years is at 60 and climbing; five more than the total number of disasters during the last 15 years (2000-2015).
The trend, and its lingering implications, has stuck with me the last few weeks. I’ve heard from a couple of fishermen that it’s pretty dismal. With no commercial fishing opportunity this year, on top of a dismal crab season, a lot of them are faced with some tough decisions.
I find myself wishing I knew - really knew - how it’s going for our local salmon fleet.
The social scientist in me comes out in these situations. I want to understand how regulatory, financial, social and cultural dynamics lead to business and personal decisions, which result in a shift in the make up and functionality of the fishing community. I want to understand because it’s not only my job to do so, but it’s my passion to work with and for our fishermen to ensure we continue to have local and sustainable seafood, and viable fisheries businesses now and in the future.
For the affected salmon fishermen in our area:
How many of you have shifted to other fisheries? How many of you found other work on land, or are thinking about retiring or getting out altogether? How many deckhands that used to find work here in the bay have left town? What maintenance have you decided to delay this year that may compromise your safety on the water? Did you pull your boat out to dry dock to wait it out? How many of you are behind on monthly expenses, wondering if you can make it until a disaster payment comes through? Any bets on just how long that will take?
I want to hear from you so that we can better understand what’s really happening. Perhaps together we can come up with some creative and workable solutions to the challenges we face.
mmahoney@mbfishtrust.org or 831.233.3101
NOAA disasters page: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/funding-and-financial-services/fishery-disaster-determinations
# disasters
1985-99: 5
2000 - 2010: 37
2011 - 2015: 18
2016 - 2023: 60