Hello and Happy New Year! We hope you and your families have had a wonderful holiday season. 
 

For half a century, CFSB has vigorously worked toward improving the biological and economic sustainability of fisheries. In 2023, we tackled some very big pressing issues on behalf of our fishing community, like Offshore Wind and the proposed Chumash Heritage Marine Sanctuary. On one hand, it's not realistic to expect a reverse of either of these freight trains, but on the other hand, we are proud to have been able to play a more visible, influential role than expected holding agencies accountable and we will continue to make gains wherever we can.
 

Our President, Chris Voss, has tirelessly gotten to grips with the convoluted Offshore Wind process, and secured a seat on the 7C Working Group that will guide how the industry-to-industry communications, negotiations and mitigation will function. We have fought to increase the state mandated funding level for fisheries mitigation, and were happy to see the amount raised from 2% to 5% of lease sale price, thanks to the leadership of Senator McGuire. 
 

A new and exciting development accomplished this year is our partnership with Santa Barbara City College to develop our Ocean Collective project on the college campus that would provide new boat and gear storage as well as develop workforce training programs that support the future of fisheries. We are grateful for the collaboration of the City of Santa Barbara and the Economic Development Collaborative in bringing this new venture about. The next year will be busy with creating detailed plans for programs and facilities, getting approvals and pursuing federal and state funding to break ground.

 

There are numerous other issues we worked on in 2023 to represent fishing interests on including: The harbor mouth dredging situation, commercial slip/slip transfer policies (working with the Harbor Commission), beach clean ups, Domoic Acid impacts, aquaculture siting, marine protected area revisions, 30 x 30, running the Saturday Fishermen’s Market, and starting up the California Lobster Trap Fishermen’s Association again. Please see the full list below.
 

We continue to pursue these goals and more as we enter this new year, and we appreciate your ongoing support. In 2023, we achieved a banner year for active memberships - 73 captains plus additional crew and community members, and we hope to top that this year! 
 

There has never been a more important or pivotal time to engage in the issues we are facing as a commercial fishing community. To join for 2024, please pay online, or get a check or cash to Ava Schulenberg, or leave it at the mailbox in the harbor (#155). The rate is the same - $70 for boat owners and $30 for non-boat owners (non-voting). We deeply thank you for your support!  

 

CFSB 2023 Activities

 

 

  • Education and Outreach

    • Harbor Tours: 

      • Santa Barbara Middle School

      • Santa Barbara City College (x2)

      • Santa Barbara Newcomers (x2)

      • UCSB Bren School Master’s Lost Fishing Gear Project

    • Chevron’s Community Coalition process

 

  • Grants

    • Ocean Collective/Infrastructure work:

      • USDA Food Promotion Planning Grant ($100,000)  - Completed

      • NOAA Saltonstall/ Kennedy Grant Competition ($500,000) - Submitted

      • Coastal Commission: Whale Tail Grant ($50,000) - Submitted

      • Coastal Conservancy (Letter of Intent) - Approved

    • Advocacy work: 

      • South Bay Cable Grant ($20,000)  - Awarded

    • Fishing Grounds Protection Map (SeaSketch) 

      • Department of Energy ($25,000) - Awarded

 

  • Advocacy Issues

    • Offshore Wind Energy (BOEM)

    • Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (NOAA)

    • Marine Protected Areas Decadal Review (CDFW)

    • Set Gillnet Fishery management

    • Ocean Rainforest Project Review

    • Chumash National Marine Sanctuary Proposal (NOAA)

    • Domoic Acid Event

    • Harbor Commission Commercial Fishing Slip Allocations

    • Santa Barbara Ocean Collective infrastructure project

 

  • Media Relations

    • KEYT Interviews

    • TVSB Interviews

 

 

  • Board of Directors

    • Election: New Members: Ray Kennedy (VP), Nick Tharp

    • California Lobster & Trap Fishermen’s Association (CLTFA): Reconstitution, President: Ray Kennedy, Secretary: Ava Schulenberg

    • Appointment: Chris Voss, California Coastal Commission, Offshore Wind and Fisheries 7C Working Group

 



 

As always, never hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, and thank you for being a supporter of the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara. Cheers to 2024!
 

 

- Ava Schulenberg and Kim Selkoe