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

Presently the Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) has a majority of its members selected by the Sanctuary Superintendent, which may or may not necessarily be the choice of the individual communities or industries which are represented (e.g. the Superintendent may select whomever he wishes to fill the “fishing seat” - not necessarily who fishermen themselves select). Further, the SAC agendas must have the concurrence of the Superintendent, as does all correspondence outgoing from the SAC. The Superintendent may remove SAC members, and the Sanctuary Program strictly prohibits communication from the SAC to members of Congress. If an informed and well-represented SAC cannot voice support or concern for the Sanctuary Program to Congress, who credibly will? Thus far the Sanctuary Program and the current SAC itself have been unable to self examine on these issues. The AMBAG Board of Directors is just beginning its inquiry as to whether the SAC’s current structure primarily benefits the Sanctuary Program itself or in fact benefits the local communities and industries through direct and independent representation. Congressman Farr, quoting again from his January 31, 2002 letter, also calls for a citizens’ review of the role and functioning of the SAC: “…I would encourage sanctuary management to engage in a dialogue with both current and past SAC members as well as influential members of the community to obtain insights into how the SAC is perceived and how it can be strengthened to more effectively maintain the confidence of its constituency.”

We believe that AMBAG has the capability of providing a thorough and independent review of these SAC questions and ask that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors formally endorse this review.

Lastly, we draw your attention to the just-released economic study of commercial fishing activities in Moss Landing Harbor, sponsored by Monterey County. This study, which is well done, is also acknowledged to be still incomplete in that some commercial fishing activity and all recreational fishing economic activities are not included. Even so, the study reveals direct revenues of 17 to 25 million dollars per year for Moss Landing alone. The Federal Economic Development Administration believes that direct fishery revenues benefit the local economy by a factor of nine. Therefore, you can see that commercial fishing remains a very strong economic engine in this region.

Thank you for your consideration of these matters. If this is placed on the agenda the ACSF will have someone present to speak to these issues.

Sincerely,

Mike Ricketts, Co-Chair, ACSF

Kathy Fosmark, 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 Marketing Association
Half Moon Bay Fishermen’s Marketing Association
Fishermen’s Alliance
Western Fishboat 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
C: Donna Oliveria, Chair, Economic Development Commission