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NOVEMBER 2025

The La Jolla Report: Big Takeaways from

MREP West Coast

The drama is high, the anticipation alive in the air. 

Commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, environmentalists and government officials and other stakeholders, who all gathered for 2025’s West Coast Marine Resources Education Program (MREP), are all ready to leap into their final training event,  a fully simulated Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) meeting.

Then—before the mock council can begin—someone calls for a halt.

Dan Wolford, who’s a former council member chair, longtime fisherman and also an engineer and conservationist, asks for a pause. 

He wants the room to consider the oath that all real-life councilmembers take.

LAST CHANCE TO GET HOOKED!

Limited seats remaining.

Solstice in Big Sur is hosting our final Get Hooked Dinner of the year on Sunday, November 16th. Mark your calendars for this unique evening – tickets are available now!

Experience an unforgettable night at Solstice's picturesque Big Sur valley setting, where we'll celebrate the treasures of Monterey Bay waters. Chef Tim Eelman will prepare a three-course feast featuring sustainably harvested, locally caught seafood. He'll be joined by guest chef Zach Ladwig of The Ranch at Rock Creek. This dinner directly benefits the Community Seafood Program, ensuring each dish supports both our local fishing families and community food access.

Solstice

46840 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Sunday, November 16th

5pm-9pm

~Tickets include discount code to lodging at Big Sur River Inn~

Don't miss this exceptional culinary experience nestled in Big Sur's breathtaking landscape.

A special thank you to our event sponsor, Pinnacle Bank!

We are looking for corporate sponsors to underwrite future Get Hooked dinners. If you are interested in growing your company’s visibility by giving locally, please email us at info@mbfishtrust.org.

*2026 Get Hooked Dinner Schedule Coming Soon*

This past October, I had the joy and privilege of visiting Martha’s Vineyard for a family wedding. Beyond the beauty of the island itself, it was a significant reunion for my dad and his four brothers, who hadn't been together in over 15 years. Our journey—plane, car, and ferry from Woods Hole—landed us in port on a blustery, post-nor’easter day, with fall colors in their full glory.

Exploring Martha's Vineyard in the autumn is like stepping into a series of perfect postcards. Everywhere you look, there's the ocean, the sound, forests, stone walls, and beautifully maintained homes. It’s absolutely stunning! Given its reputation as a major sailing and fishing region, it wasn't long before we discovered connections to the local seafood and commercial fishing communities.

The Immunity-boosting Power of Fish

➤ We all know that fish is heart-healthy, but did you know fish also boosts your immune system? More and more science is revealing the essential role that nutrients contained in fish play in supporting our body’s defenses and keeping us fighting fit. Read more in this month’s edition of Hooked on Nutrition.

SEASONAL SEAFOOD RECIPE

Bang Bang Lingcod Recipe

Looking for a family-friendly seafood recipe that'll have everyone asking for seconds? This month we're featuring Katie Wiley's Bang Bang Lingcod from Positively Groundfish. Made with local, wild West Coast lingcod (known for its firm texture and sweet, clean taste), this dish is quick to prepare, packed with nutrients, and seriously kid-approved.

November 13-December 31

Support Putting More Local Seafood, On More Local Plates

Monterey County Gives! launches November 13th and runs through December 31st—and we need your help to reach our $50,000 goal!

When you give to MBFT during this campaign, every dollar is matched by the Community Foundation for Monterey County, doubling your impact for our fishing community and working waterfronts.

Your gift supports:

➤ Community Seafood Program – Delivering fresh, locally caught fish to families facing food insecurity. With 1 in 4 adults in Monterey County facing food insecurity, your support ensures nutritious seafood reaches those who need it most while providing stable income for fishing families.

➤ Local Seafood Movement – Expanding our Get Hooked dinner series, Local Catch Guide, and community outreach that connects fishermen, chefs, and neighbors through sustainable, locally sourced food.

➤ Fisheries Advocacy – Championing fishermen's voices in ocean policy and management decisions, ensuring local knowledge informs the regulations affecting their livelihoods.

➤The Future of Blue – Advancing critical harbor infrastructure investments needed for a resilient fishing industry in Monterey and Moss Landing.

Monterey Bay's fishing heritage stands at a crossroads, but there's real hope. Your support helps us bridge conservation and commerce, putting local seafood on local plates while ensuring fishing families thrive for generations to come.

Give starting November 13th at montereycountygives.com/fisheries

~Link available on 11/13~

Together, we can build a thriving, sustainable fishing community with seafood as a cornerstone of our local food system.

Thank you to our newest funding partner, TouchPoint Foundation, for providing a $5,000 grant to the Community Seafood Program! We would also like to extend our thanks to The Campbell Foundation for providing a small grant to help cover expenses associated with tax preparation. We are extremely grateful to our Monterey County Gives Challenge Gift supporters who have contributed $6,000 in early donations that help inspire greater community giving during the main campaign.

info@mbfishtrust.org | montereybayfisheriestrust.org