April 2026 - Director's Corner

By Melissa Mahoney, April 6, 2026

Happy Spring!

We got a dose of summer heat in March, with a week of near-90-degree temperatures, setting new records for our region and across the state. Out on the water, another marine heatwave is making itself known, with surface temperatures currently 3-4 degrees above average (NOAA Fisheries). The warmer water can cause species ranges to shift, decrease the survival of salmon, and cause harmful algae blooms that can close fisheries and hurt wildlife. 

On March 19th, we held our second "Get Hooked" dinner of the year at Foray restaurant in Carmel. Chef Michael Chang and his team dazzled the crowd with a unique presentation of local spot prawns, black cod, and abalone. Ian Cole of Ocean2Table provided valuable insights into the recent challenges facing local fisheries.

The month concluded on an inspiring note with my first visit to the annual Bioneers Conference in Berkeley. Bioneers serves as an important gathering for people dedicated to planetary health, prioritizing and respecting Indigenous knowledge as fundamental to developing sustainable solutions. I was particularly inspired by speakers like Corrina Gould of the Lisjan Ohlone, John Warner, who discussed the emergence of Green Chemistry, Terry Tempest Williams, and many others. It was good to hear from other leaders from around the globe and just around the corner to share and learn together. As we start to pick up speed for April, I’m hopeful to see a decision coming about our first commercial salmon season in four years. I’m excited to be rolling out our seafood subsidy program with Second Harvest Food Bank and Meals on Wheels, and I hope to see many of you at our next Get Hooked dinner at the Monterey Beach Hotel on Friday, April 17th!