January 2024 - Director's Corner

Just like waves on the beach…the last year recedes, and another year rolls in.

The start of a new year beckons hope, yet with all that’s going on, this year also invites worry. Multiple wars, climate disruption, and political strife are affecting us globally. Closer to home, our fisheries are facing a calamity of closures, threats, delays, and nearly a total loss of ‘on the water’ income. An industry that was once thriving is now in dire straits, threatening our food security, heritage, and community fabric.

Worry is a natural human emotion. But a wise person once told me that worrying is like praying for the thing you don’t want to happen. So, rather than worry, I’m working on some constructive actions as a way to transform my worries into fuel for change. 

First, I’ve taken time over the holidays to step away from the problem to gain perspective. I enjoyed family time, time away from work, walks on the beach. I even read a book that was NOT work-related!

Second, I’ve been brainstorming new ways of thinking about these issues and asking for help in unlikely places. In order to support the Monterey Bay fishing fleet in 2024, we will need collaborative, community-driven solutions for the challenges we face, making sure to engage local government leaders so they can help with funding and political pressure where it’s needed.

Third, I’m staying positive. There is plenty of bad news to bring us down, making it even more important to be mindful of my online habits, and to care for my head and heart space so that I can do my best work in service of our mission.

I am excited about what is possible, despite the difficult circumstances. When we work together, get creative, and harness the resources we have as a collective, we can make our community a more resilient and vibrant place for all of us. So, let’s get to it!

If you have ideas, connections, or information about your fishery that needs to be heard, please reach out to me at mmahoney@mbfishtrust.org.