MONTEREY BAY FISHERIES TRUST
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Mission Statement
To advance the social, economic and environmental sustainability of Monterey Bay fisheries.
About This Cause
Commercial fishing has been an integral part of the history, culture, and identity of the Monterey Bay region for generations. Yet today, the local fishing industry is struggling and it is difficult to find fresh, local seafood in our restaurants and markets. Since 2014, the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust (MBFT) has worked to advance the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of Monterey Bay fisheries. MBFT increases community access to nutritious, sustainably caught seafood while preserving an integral part of Monterey Bay’s economy, heritage, and biodiversity. We collaborate with the fishing industry, local government, conservation organizations, restaurants, markets, and local food system partners to achieve a balance between a healthy ocean ecosystem and a healthy seafood economy. MBFT’s programs, outreach, and collaborations support sustainable fishing, revitalize our working waterfronts, create jobs, and ensure dollars spent locally are reinvested locally. Today, most seafood consumed in our region and throughout the U.S. is imported, often traveling thousands of miles from boat to plate—while most locally landed seafood is exported out of the region. Monterey Bay fishers must compete with cheaper imports, often from countries with inadequate regulations or from illegal, unregulated, or unreported fisheries. We are connecting consumers with our local fishing community to increase awareness and demand for sustainably harvested Monterey Bay seafood. This responsibly sourced seafood reduces carbon emissions and prevents overfishing and habitat impacts. Commercial fishers, processors, food workers, and other supporting businesses are central to the vitality of our working harbors and cultural heritage. The technical assistance, tools, and resources we provide builds the resilience of our entire seafood industry. We also protect access to historic fishing rights through our Quota Leasing Program, helping to fuel our local fishing economy. MBFT builds the capacity of stakeholders to participate in fisheries management and conservation to foster a more successful and engaged fishing industry that results in more effective fisheries policies. To promote ocean stewardship and prevent entanglements with marine life, we also work with fishers, harbor districts, and boaters to remove lost crab gear from the Bay through our Lost Gear Recovery Program. Through the Monterey Bay Community Seafood Program we are increasing food security, supporting the local fishing economy, and building lasting relationships among our seafood industry and local food relief programs. The program has donated over 23,000 nutritious seafood meals to families in need of food assistance while purchasing almost $100,000 in local seafood from our fishing community. This program has illustrated the often understated importance of California seafood to food security and the vital role seafood can play in nutrition. As Charlie Lambert of Ocean2Table (a community-supported fishery) recently stated, “As a community member, the Trust is helping me be a smarter, better consumer. As a business owner, we share the mutual goal of supporting the local fishing industry and focusing on the seasonality and sustainability of seafood on the central coast. As a fisherman, they’re educating me on how to be more involved, how to tune into important meetings, and how to provide feedback.”