Aliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries
P O Box 1309, Carmel Valley, CA 93924 (831) 659-2838

March 25, 2002

Community Foundation for Monterey County

The Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries (Alliance) was formed in November, 2000. We are a consortium of recreational and commercial fishers, joined with our harbor communities, and interested marine industries. Originally formed to allow for an organized fishing community voice in response to the implementation of the State of California’s Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), which mandates the consideration of no-fishing zones (marine reserves), we have steadily expanded our area of interest. The Alliance’s Mission Statement is:
The Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries advocates for the heritage and economic value of fishing to California Coastal Communities. To preserve and enhance that value, the Alliance offers a broadly representative voice of waterfront communities to work constructively with agencies, NGO’s, and interested parties, to guarantee that the best available science - biological, social, and economic - are used to develop responsible policies that will sustain our fisheries far into the future.
Since its formation, the Alliance’s linkage of fishers to the economies and heritage of their communities, has clearly struck a resonant chord. Membership has increased, and the agencies and organizations whom we work with (Department of Fish & Game, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Ocean Conservancy, etc.) have communicated clear support and appreciation for our efforts. To represent our place in the continuing dialog on sustainable fisheries in Central California, please find attached a recent letter from Congressman Sam Farr, which specifically mentions the work of the Alliance.
The Alliance has only been loosely organized thus far. Presently our organization is centered around designated leader-representatives of marine interests from each member harbor. Each harbor identifies a leader-representative for recreational fishing, commercial fishing by gear type (troll, seine, bottom trawl, near-shore, trap, etc.), a Harbormaster representative, and a marine industry representative. Each harbor area then identifies a single fisher-representative to serve on an Executive Board. The Executive Board also has a single Harbormaster representative for all six harbors. The Executive Board has elected two co-chairs, presently Mike Ricketts and Kathy Fosmark.
The growing role that the Alliance is playing in developing State and National policy on sustainable fisheries has created a problem of success for us. We are overwhelming our volunteer base.
We have both a short-term and long-term need. In the short term, the Alliance needs further basic organizational infrastructure. We need a set of by-laws and legal statutes (i.e. 501-C-3), and we need to develop the variety of instruments that will enable the Alliance to legally fund professional staff help.
In the longer run, the Alliance will need to develop a funding strategy that will most likely encompass member dues, direct and substantial harbor or harbor community contributions, and grant funding.etc. etc.

Sincerely,

Mike Ricketts, Co-Chair, ACSF

Kathy Fosmark, Co-Chair, ACSF Co-Chair, ACSF

Supporting Associations & Organizations
Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association
Port San Luis Commercial Fishermen’s Association
Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Association
Monterey Commercial Fishermen’s Association
Fishermen’s Association of Moss Landing
Santa Cruz Commercial Fishermen’s Association
Half Moon Bay Fishermen’s Marketing Association
Fishermen’s Alliance
Western Fish Boat Owners Association
Ventura County Commercial Fishermen’s Association
Federation of Independent Seafood Harvesters
Golden Gate Fishermen's Association
Port San Luis Harbor District
City of Morro Bay Harbor
City of Monterey Harbor
Moss Landing Harbor District
Santa Cruz Port District
Pillar Pt. Harbor, San Mateo County Harbor District