Few people in the Monterey Bay fishing community have a resumé quite like Kathy Fosmark. Feeling that fishermen weren’t adequately educating themselves about their rights and how to navigate the complex web of bureaucracy that directly affected their livelihoods, she quickly became a fearless and respected advocate of fishermen.

While a proneness to seasickness kept Elaine Pennisi, 75, off the water, she has been involved with almost every other aspect of commercial fishing in Monterey. Pennisi has also experienced a tragedy every fishingmom fears the most—losing a son at sea.