5. Current Issues Affecting the Port's Fisheries
- Port-at-a-Glance
- Location, History and Economy
- Port Governance and Infrastructure
- Fishing Profile: Commercial and Recreational Fisheries
- Current Issues Affecting the Port’s Fisheries
- Social and Environmental Vulnerability
Social, political, economic and environmental events pose both immediate and ongoing challenges for the port’s fisheries and the impacts reverberate throughout the community.
Changes in Fishery Management
2011 implementation of catch shares (ITQs) in the groundfish trawl fishery coupled with required observer coverage leading to loss of some groundfish fishing capacity and infrastructure.
Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust
The establishment of Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust, initially as a (groundfish catch share) quota fund, has since expanded to facilitate quota management, seafood marketing, and commercial fishing community information sharing, education and coordination.
Dredging
The harbor is frequently subject to sediment build-up and impairment of navigation channels as well as berthing areas, requiring regular maintenance dredging.
Sea Level Rise
The geography of Moss Landing, including the location of much of the port’s fishery-related and other infrastructure on “Moss Landing Island” makes it particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise. Most of the buildings on the island and some buildings within Moss Landing Harbor are within the FEMA 100-year flood zone, with major disruptions expected by 2030 and “an almost complete loss of services on the island” expected by 2060 (Source).
COVID-19 Pandemic
Disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including markets and supply chains for many types of seafood-producing businesses closure/limited operation of tourist-serving businesses and restaurants. CPFVs likewise operated on a more limited basis than usual.