The Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust (MBFT) increases community access to healthy, local, sustainably caught seafood while preserving an integral part of the economy, heritage, and biodiversity of Monterey Bay. We partner with the fishing industry, local government, and conservation organizations to achieve a balance between a healthy ocean ecosystem and a healthy seafood economy.
Building a Monterey Bay Local Seafood Movement
We are working to ensure that sustainably harvested Monterey Bay seafood ends up on local dinner plates. Our Local Catch Guide helps community members easily find local seafood. Through our #MontereyBaySeafood campaign, we use digital storytelling, email outreach, and social media to increase awareness and demand for local seafood and build community connections.
Providing local seafood to families in need
According to the Food Bank for Monterey County, demand for food quadrupled in 2020. Through the Monterey Bay Community Seafood Program, we connect local fishermen and seafood businesses with thousands of working families, seniors, and other community members in need of food assistance. The program is a win-win, providing nutritious, local seafood to families in need while supporting our local fishing economy.
Supporting Stakeholder Engagement in Conservation and Management
We are building industry stakeholders' capacity to participate in fisheries science and conservation and engage effectively in management decisions. We foster learning, networking, and growth by sending fishermen on scholarships to the Marine Resource Education Program and providing access to tools, information, training, and technical assistance. View our Fishermen’s Portal to learn more.
Strengthening Local Seafood Businesses
We are committed to building the resilience of our local seafood industry. We share COVID-19 resources and provide technical support to fishermen applying for relief and transitioning to direct-to-consumer markets. We are also partnering with California Farmlink to develop technical assistance and loan resources for small fishing businesses.
Protecting Access to Local Fishing Rights
Our quota leasing program protects and grows local access to historic and sustainable groundfish fishing rights (e.g., rockfish, Petrale sole). Under federal fisheries management, these fishing rights can be bought and sold, making it difficult for small operators to compete with large, out-of-state businesses. With support from The Nature Conservancy and the City of Monterey, we have acquired groundfish fishing rights. We lease annually to local fishermen at reduced rates, ensuring our community has continued access to this environmentally-celebrated fishery. Read More