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

January 9, 2004

Bill Morem, Editorial Page Editor
The Tribune
3825 S. Higuera
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-7438

Dear Sir:

Our organization, the Alliance for Communities for Sustainable Fisheries, has been organized to represent the economic, social, and cultural interests of the recreational and commercial fishing industry in the geographic region from Port San Luis (Avila Beach) to Pillar Point Harbor in San Mateo County. As the name applies, we are committed to the preservation of sustainable fisheries and link the fishing activity with the greater communities that support that industry. Resolutions supporting the efforts of the ACSF have been adopted by the City Councils of Monterey and Morro Bay, by the elected Commissions of the San Mateo County, Moss Landing and Port San Luis Harbor Districts, and the Santa Cruz Port District. Several of our members were active in last year’s Marine Interest Group (MIG) process.

We are writing to thank the members of the Marine Interest Group for their work over the past year furthering knowledge and understanding of our local environment. The 20 volunteers held many very informative and provocative sessions that allowed the public to see another layer of the marine environment issues beyond the usual “press release/sound bites” that unfortunately too often is driving public policy on the coast.
We also offer special thanks to Congresswoman Lois Capps, Assemblyman Able Maldonado and Senator Bruce McPherson for their constant support for working fishing families and harbors; to AGP video for taping all of the sessions, and to the World Wildlife Fund for financing the project.

We think it is a great decision to keep the MIG going and to try to build our mutual cooperation by continuing projects or presentations of value to all. Let’s work together on things we cherish - our environment and our local marine dependent businesses - which provide fresh seafood in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner.

It is our opinion that one of the most pressing issues is developing better stock assessment/habitat mapping for the Central Coast. Commercial fishermen havetremendous anecdotal knowledge in both these areas that is untapped. We encourage the MIG to reach out to the commercial fishing sector and develop projects that can lead to community based management for the protection of the environment and our working harbor communities. Without good baseline information, we can’t make good decisions.

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