Introducing the Trends Report: A New Baseline for Monterey Bay’s Working Waterfronts
By Emily Hess, September 8, 2026
View of fishing vessels at Wharf 2 in Monterey
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 & Trends Report—the first comprehensive analysis of commercial fisheries and the seafood economy across Monterey Bay in more than a decade.
Drawing on more than four decades of fisheries, economic, and environmental data, the report provides a detailed look at how Monterey Bay's commercial fisheries have evolved over time. The research team analyzed trends in landings, ex-vessel value, fleet composition, seafood infrastructure, and the broader factors influencing the long-term resilience of our region's working waterfronts. The report establishes a baseline that can build shared understanding and guide future planning, investment, and impact.
View of fishing dock in Moss Landing
This report is the cornerstone of our Future of Blue Initiative, a regional effort to strengthen Monterey Bay's working waterfronts and build a resilient and sustainable blue economy. MBFT, alongside a growing network of partners, is bringing together fishermen, researchers, community organizations, businesses, and public agencies to develop long-term strategies that support thriving commercial fisheries.
The Future of Blue recognizes that commercial fishing is more than an industry—it's part of the fabric of our coastal communities. By understanding long-term trends and identifying opportunities for investment, innovation, and economic development, we can better support those who make their living on the water, cultivate the next generation of maritime workers, and ensure local seafood remains an important part of Monterey Bay's food security and future.
However, a report is only valuable if it sparks action.
On Wednesday, September 9th, from 11:00 am–12:00 pm, we will host a public webinar to introduce the report and highlight its key findings. Members of the research team will summarize the results and share what the trends reveal about Monterey Bay's commercial fisheries. This is an excellent opportunity for the community to explore how these insights can help inform the future of our working waterfronts.
Whether you're a fisherman, seafood business owner, policymaker, researcher, community leader, or simply someone who loves seafood and cares about the future of our coastal communities, we invite you to join the conversation.
The release of this report marks an important milestone—but it's only the beginning. By grounding future decisions in sound science, local knowledge, and meaningful collaboration, we can help ensure that Monterey Bay's working waterfronts remain vibrant, productive, and resilient for generations to come.
We hope you'll read the report, attend the webinar, and be part of shaping the future of Monterey Bay's seafood economy!
Aerial view of Santa Cruz Harbor