The Monthly Newsletter With All of Your Monterey Bay Fisheries Updates

MARCH 2025

Dear Emily,

Spring has arrived, bringing plenty of important updates for our community. From the latest on the Moss Landing battery fire, to key decisions about the upcoming salmon season and the close of Dungeness crab season, there’s a lot to keep an eye on. Fortunately, with an extra hour of daylight, we have more time to stay informed and engaged! Read on for the latest news, organizational updates, and reflections—and as always, thank you for being a valued part of our incredible community.

Here’s what’s on the menu this month:

• Meet MBFT's newest board member, Gilbert Vendryes!

• Get Hooked Dinners - upcoming event at Foray in Carmel March 13th

• Director's Corner - A Turning Point

• Moss Landing Battery Clean Up Survey by the county health department

• Dungeness Crab and Saffron Ravioli Recipe

Dive in and stay connected!

Meet MBFT's Newest Board Member!

Gilbert Vendryes

Originally from France, Gilbert is a passionate epicurean. He has called Northern California home for more than a decade now. His professional background is in high tech, where he has spent over 30 years focused on international strategy and partnership development.

Having worked with some iconic brands such as Apple, EMC, and VMware, as well as leading global partner programs at Zoom, Gilbert has gained valuable business experience that he now leverages in service of community.

Join us March 13th at Foray in Carmel-by-the-Sea for our next Get Hooked Dinner! Come discuss local fisheries and sustainable seafood with us, hear from Monterey Bay fishermen, and enjoy an incredible meal by chef Michael Chang, a leader in the local sourcing movement.

A portion of the ticket sales for this event benefit the Community Seafood Program, and are used to purchase seafood from local fishermen to be donated to food relief organizations in Monterey and Santa Cruz county.

Foray

Carmel-by-the-Sea

March 13th

6pm

Purchase Tickets

Other Upcoming Events:

Pop Up at Buena Vista Brewing, Watsonville - April 26th

Saltwood Kitchen and Oysterette, Marina - May 15th

The Lantern Room, Monterey Beach Hotel - June 12th

Colectivo Felix, Santa Cruz - July 17th

Pete's Fish House, Capitola - Sept 18th

(*Recently Added!*) Solstice, Big Sur - Nov 16th

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

A Monthly Digest from

Executive Director Melissa Mahoney

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been focusing on local partnerships, development, and programs, keeping my head down amid the relentless national headlines. In the spirit of building local community, we hosted our second Get Hooked dinner with the fantastic team at Hook + Line in Santa Cruz. The sold-out evening was uplifting—just the counterbalance I needed to the troubling news cycle. (Don’t worry - there are 6 more dinners! Check our events webpage for your chance to join us.)

Closer to home, the Moss Landing battery fire flared up again and soil tests from MLML researchers revealed dangerously high toxin levels in the surrounding area. This contradicts Vistra’s website which claims their soil testing indicated ‘there are no elevated metals associated with the fire in soil’. Who is more motivated to calm the concerns?...

Moss Landing Battery Plant Clean Up Survey

The county health department is launching a community survey to ask residents about their experience during the fire and any symptoms they may be experiencing HERE. The survey is open to anyone who wants to participate and will be available through March 14.

The Monterey Herald published an article on Feb 26th with more information about the clean up process. Read the article HERE if you have a subscription to the Monterey Herald.

Take the Survey

SEASONAL SEAFOOD RECIPE

Dungeness Crab Saffron Ravioli

Dungeness Crab season is likely coming to a close soon, so make sure to get it while it is still available! If you’re looking for an elevated, exciting way to prepare it, Chef Michael Chang has a recipe that will make any meal feel like a special occasion.

Get the Recipe

Thank You to Our Generous Donors

We’d like to extend a big thank you to Chef Santos Majano, Lejla Borovac, and the entire team at Hook+Line for hosting a sold-out Get Hooked dinner in February, and to all those who joined us for the event to support the Community Seafood Program. Thank you also to Pinnacle Bank in Salinas for sponsoring our March, May, and June Get Hooked dinners and all of our funders and individual donors who continue to support the Trust. Our work would not be possible without this community.

info@mbfishtrust.org | montereybayfisheriestrust.org

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