March 2026 - Director's Corner

By Melissa Mahoney, March 9, 2026

Happy Lunar New Year!

I'm especially fascinated by the advent of the 'Fire Horse' year. The last time this occurred, in 1966, was a period of turbulence and transformation in American history and politics. This year, too, is already proving bold and unpredictable.

On February 24th, we kicked off our 2026 Get Hooked dinner series with a lively and delicious event at Hook+Line Restaurant in Santa Cruz. With a full house, positive energy from our community, and the commitment of matching funds to help reach our goal for our July 2026 Week of Seafood Giving campaign, it was a fabulous start to the season!

At the same time, significant federal actions are unfolding. The Administration is moving fast offshore oil & gas lease sales off the coast of California (set for 2027), alongside new interest in critical minerals mining. These lease sales pose serious risks to our marine ecosystem and coastal economy. I've been meeting with business leaders in Monterey and have upcoming conversations planned in Santa Cruz to encourage informed engagement and strong public comment. If you would like to know more, check out www.saveourcoast.org or www.saveourshores.org for more information.

MBFT also recently facilitated an introductory meeting with fishermen and Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez, now serving as the Central Coast representative to the Coastal Commission. It was a productive conversation that strengthened relationships and improved his understanding of the local industry. We are planning additional meetings, and all fishermen are welcome to join the discussion.

Finally, the question on many minds is: Will we have a salmon season? The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) is scheduled to meet in April to discuss the pre-season data that will ultimately drive the answer to that question. We will keep you updated as soon as we know more.