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SEPTEMBER 2026

Introducing the Trends Report: A New Baseline for Monterey Bay’s Working Waterfronts 

What does it take to build a thriving future for Monterey Bay's commercial fishing communities?

It starts with understanding where we've been and where we are today—then bringing together data, lived experience, and community knowledge to shape what comes next.

For generations, commercial fishing has shaped the identity, economy, and culture of Monterey Bay. From Monterey and Moss Landing to Santa Cruz, our working waterfronts have supported local families, supplied healthy seafood, and connected people to the ocean. But like many fishing communities around the nation, they also face mounting challenges—from changing ocean conditions and aging infrastructure to shifting markets and an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.

To chart a path forward, we need more than good intentions. We need good information.

That's why the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust, in partnership with the University of California, Santa Cruz, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and regional collaborators, is proud to release the Monterey Bay Commercial Fisheries: Status and Trends —the first comprehensive analysis of commercial fisheries and the seafood economy across Monterey Bay in more than a decade.

Hear Directly From the Authors

Join us September 9 at 11 a.m. for a special webinar featuring the authors of the Monterey Bay Commercial Fisheries: Status and Trends Report. Hear directly from the researchers about what they found across more than 40 years of fisheries data, the trends shaping our industry, and what these findings can tell us about the future. Register today and be part of the conversation!

Pete's Capitola - September 15th

Our Get Hooked dinner series continues with an unforgettable evening at Pete's in Capitola on September 15th, and Stokes Adobe on October 13th. Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully crafted multi-course menu celebrating Monterey Bay seafood, paired with the stories of the fishermen and working waterfront that make these meals possible. Join us for a delicious night of community, sustainability, and local flavor!

Pete's Capitola

Tuesday, September 15th

Stokes Adobe

Tuesday, October 13th

TICKET LINK COMING SOON

These dinners directly benefit the Community Seafood Program, ensuring each dish supports both our local fishing families and community food access.

A special thank you to our dinner series sponsors!

Bay Federal Credit Union

This August, I had the remarkable opportunity to travel to Iceland and immerse myself in its breathtaking natural wonders. Alongside friends, I stood at the base of the Snaeffelsness glacier in the country’s northeastern reaches to witness the total solar eclipse—a truly awe-inspiring event. From the thunderous waterfalls and seemingly endless sunsets to the dramatic landscapes, hydrothermal pools, and mystical rock formations, the journey was nothing short of extraordinary. To crown the experience, we were even gifted a rare, early-season glimpse of the northern lights on our final evening.

No matter where my travels take me, I never miss a chance to explore the local seafood culture, meet fisherpeople, and learn their ways. Iceland offered a fascinating window into a heritage deeply intertwined with the ocean.

As an island nation, Iceland’s connection to the sea is foundational, with communities have relied on its bounty since time immemorial. In the village of Hellandisur, near our base, this maritime identity was everywhere—from the local museum to the art and infrastructure along the waterfront. Iceland also boasts a robust industrial sector centered on Icelandic cod, and I was eager to learn more about a movement they sparked 15 years ago to revolutionize how they optimized the limited quotas and maximized the value of their catch.

SEASONAL SEAFOOD RECIPE

Black Cod with a Crispy Skin

From the culinary team at Pete's, one of our favorite dishes right now celebrates exactly what we love about cooking on the Central Coast—beautiful local ingredients, peak-season produce, and a preparation that lets each ingredient shine. 

Black cod, simply prepared with crispy skin, paired with a vibrant zucchini purée, cherry tomato confit, summer squash, romano beans, squash blossoms, and a bright tomato vinaigrette.

We are deeply grateful to the UNFI Foundation for their renewed and impactful support of our Community Seafood Program. We sincerely appreciate all our partners, funders, and individual donors who continue to help us put more local fish on local plates. 

info@mbfishtrust.org | montereybayfisheriestrust.org