5. Current Issues Affecting the Port's Fisheries

Whale Entanglements

Beginning in 2014, there was a marked increase in whale entanglements with fishing gear along the entire West Coast. This has primarily involved the Dungeness crab fisheries pot/trap fisheries, though gillnet and spot prawn traps are also implicated (Source). Beginning in 2019, the crab season had delayed starts along the California coast south of Mendocino County to prevent whale entanglements when late season whale migrations have been observed. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has taken several steps through its Whale Safe Fisheries efforts to better understand and mitigate the causes of whale entanglements, such as the Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program (RAMP) piloted by the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group and codified in regulation in 2020.

Tariffs and Trade Wars

Under the Trump Administration (2016-2020), the US imposed or increased tariffs on imported goods to reduce the US trade deficit. The Trump Administration tariffs targeted important trade partners such as China, causing retaliation. In 2018-2019, a mounting trade war between China and the US-led six major ports on the West Coast to draft an open letter to President Trump, requesting he deescalate the trade war because of the impacts it was having on port communities. California is the US’s largest exporter to China of any state and saw a 30% decrease in exports — including steep declines in exports of crab and salmon — to China as a result of the trade war.

Kelp Loss

Kelp loss and expansion of purple sea urchin barrens, with adverse impacts on the lucrative red sea urchin fishery and the smaller but valued nearshore rockfish fishery, fishery-support businesses and Fort Bragg and nearby communities.

Red Abalone Closure

Loss of the recreational fishery for red abalone, now closed until at least 2026, leading to negative social and economic impacts on local support businesses, the recreational dive community, Fort Bragg and other coastal communities in the Sonoma-Mendocino county region.

Salmon Fishing

Erratic and uncertain salmon fishing opportunities. Fort Bragg’s location adjacent to (rather than in) the Klamath Management Zone affords substantial fishing opportunities but also is vulnerable to downturns and associated season limits for other salmon stocks.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Disruption due to COVID-19 pandemic. Off-the-boat seafood sales, which bring visitors from the Bay area (especially San Mateo and Santa Clara counties), were suspended for several months during the COVID-19 pandemic. CPFVs likewise operated on a more limited basis than usual.

Redevelopment

In 2018 the Harbor District created a Strategic Planning and Harbor Marina Redevelopment Plan to improve facilities at the port. The plan proposes three redevelopment phases, including harbor basin dredging, repairs to the existing wave wall, installation of new restrooms, laundry facilities, hazmat disposal facilities, and a fuel dock with vessel pump-out facilities (Source).