2023-24 YEAR IN REVIEW
VCCFA experienced growth, not only by membership increasing (42 Members to 58), but by organization of the Board of Directors, Increased access to Grants, Adding a Fishery (Maritime) Consulting firm, contributed to changes in harbor policies, and succesfully challenged a California Assembly bill.
Please review this page to see what progress the VCCFA made in 2023-'24, and join us into 2025 as we continue to make our presence felt, and advocate for the protection of our industry
2023-2024 Board of Directors Update: We had some changes in our board membership take place through 2024. Most notable was the stepping down of Dania Williams, as our Secretary. Dania stepped down early 2024. Richard Yoder stepped down as Port Hueneme Rep mid 2024. The VCCFA board appointed Eric Hodge in 2023 as C.I. Harbor Rep. and Mike Kenny as member at large.
VCCFA accomplished many goals through its 2023-2024 year. We had guests join us in our monthly member meetings. Notable guests were Ava Shulenberg: Santa Barbara Commercial Fishermen (Oct. '23); Lt. Todd Van Epps: Enforcement Ca Dept Fish and Wildlife (Jan. '23); Asm Steve Bennett, Ca State Assemblymember (D.38) (Mar '24); Eliza Harrison, Ocean Rainforest (Apr. '24); Mary Nishimoto, Joint Oil Fisheries Liason Office (May '24); Axel Stelter, Karls' Group (May '24); Michael Tripp, Channel Islands Harbor (June '24), Alex Nguyen, City of Oxnard (June '24); Kevin Brannon, Reel Guppies Outdoors (June '24).
All of the meeting notes are archived and can be viewed on the VCCFA Meetings page.
VCCFA took issue with The Channel Islands Harbor Department after one of our members was told he could not conduct commercial fishing activities at the CI Harbor Launch ramp by Harbor Patrol. VCCFA challenged the harbor administations interpretation of a County Ordinance (6406-7.1). This is a continuing campaign into 2025, VCCFA is not satisfied with the Ventura Countys Response that NO Commercial Fishing Activity is allowed at the launch ramp. Click for More information.
VCCFA, through a gracious Grant from The South Bay Cable Fisheries Liason Committee was able to hire Gray Dawn Consulting for it's maritime consulting. The funds will support the 2024-2025 VCCFA Year to assist in resolutions of issues VCCFA will be taking on.
More information about GRAY DAWN CONSULTING, LLC Can be found on their website at https://graydawnconsulting.com/
VCCFA has been involved with The redevelopment of Fishermans Wharf (corner of CI BLVD and VICTORIA AVE) in CI Harbor by contributing to the potential developers (Karls' Group) plans of conseption. VCCFA supports the development, and has made public its position.
Throughout the year, VCCFA worked with Channel Islands Harbor Administration and local wharf sites to ensure access to hoists was uninterupted. The Fishermans Wharf hoist was temporarily out of service (October to December 2023) whereas the Harbor Admin commnicated to VCCFA members the expected date of hoist being fixed. This information was updated to VCCFA Comunications page. In the meantime the Hoist at Marine Emporium Landing was utilized.
VCCFA is currently seeking Grants to further assist in obtaining our goals. One of the biggest achievements was the assistance from SBCFLC in the form of a grant to send a representative from VCCFA to school to learn more about the grant writing process. This project is currently under way and will be completed by June 2025.
Assembly Bill AB2220 was an attempt to modify California Fish and Game Code by means of Legislation. The bill was introduced by Steve Bennett, (District 38) and sponsored by Oceana and The Research Renewal Institute. VCCFA with other commercial fishing associations and groups challenged this bill. AB2220 was withdrawn by Asm. Bennett days prior to being read in front of the California State Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife after consideration of the commercial fishing colaberated groups reasonings for requesting withdrawal of the bill. The main argument made by our group was that the CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife already has a process (active) to address and impliment policy changes with consideration of scientific data (independant and dependant), public input, and impact studies. VCCFA is committed to challenging attempts of additional trade barriers per our mission statement.
June 2024 - VCCFA Member Blake Hermann has brought up new business to VCCFA Board members. The new business is in regard to proposed modifications of closure areas (Marine Protected Areas) by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife .
VCCFA Board has voted to create a page on VCCFA website addressing this.
The 2024-2025 VCCFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS was elected by members at the June '24 in person meeting at Mrs. Olsons Restaurant in Channel Islands Harbor, Sunday June 3rd. Appx. 50 witnesses certified the results.
