The mission of the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust is to ensure sustainable fisheries,
resilient communities, and a healthy ocean for years to come.
The Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust (MBFT) increases community access to healthy, local, sustainably caught seafood while preserving an integral part of the economy, heritage, and culture of Monterey Bay. To achieve this, we partner with fishermen, seafood businesses, government, scientists, food relief groups, chefs, and restaurants to put more local food on local plates. We aim to increase food equity and security, support working waterfronts, ensure dollars spent locally are reinvested locally, and build community. Many organizations champion local organic farmers, but we are the only nonprofit working to ensure a viable, sustainable fishing community in Monterey Bay. Together, we can build a thriving and resilient fishing industry in Monterey Bay with seafood as a cornerstone of our local food system.
Our work positively impacts the residents and visitors of Monterey County by increasing public access to a healthy, sustainable protein source, while maintaining the livelihoods of fishermen and other seafood-dependent businesses that operate out of Monterey and Moss Landing harbors. We use the power of storytelling to inspire greater support for locally produced seafood and promote its economic, environmental, and nutritional benefits to hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors alike. Through technical assistance, tools, resources, and networking, we directly support fishermen and other seafood businesses that are central to the vitality of Monterey’s harbors and maritime heritage. Our seafood donation program increases food security while boosting the local fishing economy and building new relationships among our seafood industry and food relief programs. Our efforts strengthen the local seafood supply chain and promote local food awareness and consumption, which also reduces the carbon footprint of food distribution.
As an Italian kid growing up on the shores of Monterey, I’ve always known how deeply rooted fishing is in our community. This way of life is too important to lose. Thanks to the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust and their work to raise awareness about sustainable local seafood—among both consumers and policymakers—and through strong partnerships with fishermen, we’re helping to ensure a thriving seafood economy and a healthy ocean for future generations.
- U.S. Congressman Jimmy Panetta, Monterey
