Protecting Local Access to Fresh, Wild-Caught Seafood since 1987
Upcoming Member Meeting: Sunday January 5th, 2025 at 4pm via ZOOM
Nonprofit Est. 1987
TO PAY DUES or MAKE A DONATION
Directions from Zelle
Step 1: Get started by enrolling your email or U.S. mobile number through your mobile banking app or with the Zelle® app. Click Here!
Step 2:Once you’re enrolled with Zelle®, all you need is an email address or U.S. mobile phone number to send money to friends and family straight from your banking app. From your kid’s babysitter to your college bestie, Zelle® can be used to send money to almost anyone you know and trust with a bank account in the U.S.
Step 3: Once you’re enrolled with Zelle®, all you need is an email address and Business name: VCCFA ( venturacountyfishermen@gmail.com ) or U.S. mobile phone number to send money to friends and family straight from your banking app. From your kid’s babysitter to your college bestie, Zelle® can be used to send money to almost anyone you know and trust with a bank account in the U.S
Check/Money Order sent here
VCCFA
1237 S. Victoria Avenue #284 Oxnard CA 93035
Values
VCCFA values statement prioritizes our principles and standards as advocating for commercial fishermens' rights and opportunities to provide a fresh seafood product to market. Our staff and members use teamwork, and responsible practices to achieve our goals.
Vision
VCCFA's vision statement states that it will be a state-of-the-art advocacy group for Commercial Fishermen by the year 2025, creating a relevant, informative platform for local commercial fishermen to confront trade barriers, increase access of educational materials, communicate laws and regulations, promote our industry, protect our resources and ecosystem, and continue sustainable fishing practices.
VCCFA MISSION STATEMENT
To engage in the advertising and promotion of sale of seafood products and in activities for the prevention, modification, or removal of trade barriers which restrict the free flow of seafood products to market, including negotiations with State, Federal, or Foreign Governmental Agencies which affect the marketing of any seafood products. To engage in educational programs regarding commercial fishing and fish and shellfish resources and to promote the wise use of those resources on a sustained yield basis.
Priorities
- Infrastructure
- Protection and Promotion of Recourses (Fishing Area)
- Marketing
- Education is an additional priority. Through educating future commercial anglers, we can continue our sustainable fisheries.
Got an idea or suggestion?
Sunday JAnuary 5th, 2025 Next VCCFA Member meeting
Member meetings are held 1st Sunday every other month at 4pm, virtually using ZOOM meetings. Join VCCFA today to be added to the email list. Updates, agendas, and invites are sent to all members.
Member meeting Minutes posted !
For Sunday November 3rd Member Meeting Results and archived meeting minutes, click here
VCCFA Quartlerly newsletter
Published Oct 15, 2024
VCCFA newsletter Sept 2024.pdfSTATEWIDE NEWS AND UPDATES
MPA's
Marine Protected Areas
Are MPA's working?
The effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has been a topic of considerable debate, particularly in light of the recent Decadal Review published in 2023. While MPAs are designed to conserve marine biodiversity, support fish populations, and promote healthier ecosystems, their real-world outcomes can be mixed.
Critics, including the VCCFA, argue that many MPAs are not meeting their intended goals. They point out several issues:
Restricted Fishing Opportunities, Pressure on Open Areas, Imported Seafood Concerns, Ecosystem Health
The Marine Resources Committee (MRC) has forwarded its binning recommendations to the Fish & Game Commission (FGC).
During the November 6-7, 2024 meeting, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) will present its preliminary recommendations for petitions categorized under Bin 2. For more details on the MPA petitions submitted to the FGC and CDFW’s draft binning for review, visit CDFW’s Marine Protected Area Landing page
Click here for VCCFA's MPA petition page
ACR 210 Passes Senate Floor August 31, 2024
Calls upon the relevant state entities to prioritize the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Specifically, this bill:
VCCFA and other Commercial Fishing Groups opposed ACR-210
A resolution introduced by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D.38) to the California Assembly.
Oct 9th- CA Dept Fish and Wildlife Meeting:
Time Stamp 14:18 Michelle Sevila, Communications Director for Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D38, West Ventura County):
Public comment concering ACR-210 and ecourage Natural Recourse Agency, Fish and Game Commission, Ocean Protection Council, Department of Fish and Wildlife to expand MPA's.
To see more information about the most recent DFW Meeting click here
30x30 Regional Workshops
In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-82-20, which committed to conserving 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030 as part of a broader effort to fight climate change, protect biodiversity, and expand access to nature for all Californians. In 2022, the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) released Pathways to 30×30: Accelerating Conservation of California’s Nature, which details strategies and opportunities for achieving the 30×30 target.
VCCFA REGIONAL NEWS AND UPDATES
Port Hueneme closing its Commercial Fishing Infrastucture: moving it to Ventura Harbor
Following the announcement of a $16 million sub-award from the California State Transportation Agency’s Port and Freight Infrastructure Program (PFIP) grant, the Ventura Port District and the Port of Hueneme are set to commence the next phase of the Commercial Fish Landing Modernization Project.
Fisherman's Wharf Development plans
located at the corner of Channel Islands Blvd and Victoria Avenue will potentially be developed by Karls' LLC. Given the relationship Karls has with VCCFA and it's willingness to incorporate Commercial Fishermen into their plans, The VCCFA has submitted a letter of support of this project. For more information regarding this project,
VCCFA and CFSB hosted Summer Beach Day:
...for Commercial Fishermen and friends. This gathering took place Sunday August 11th from Noon to 3 PM at Oil Piers Beach and was Potluck style with donations of fish from Wild Local Seafood, and VCCFA Pres. J. Woods contributions of Wild-Caught White Seabass. We had appx 30 people show up, and enjoyed the day! This will be an annual event slated for the 2nd weekend of August each year. Thank you to everyone who contributed!
VCCFA is in the early stages of developing a local Fishermen's Market
Due to recent public support, including government officials VCCFA is actively seeking a pathway to create an Open-Air outdoor Fishermen's Market for Channel Islands Harbor. Local Commercial Fishermen were requested to complete a survey that was due: Monday August 12. The survey results are now being evaluated. Thank you to all participants.
You can still Email venturacountyfishermen@gmail.com with questions or comments..
2023-2024 Year in Review
2023 to 2024 was a big year for VCCFA and its members. VCCFA has challenged policies, solidified a relationship with Government officials, discovered new items to challenge, grew in membership by 1000%,
Grant provides funds for VCCFA Executive Director Dave Colker to attend College Courses through Santa Monica College.
Executive Director Dave Colker has completed courses in nonprofit management. The four classes were: Writing Effective Grant Proposals, Advanced Grant Writing, Introduction to Nonprofit Grant Management, and Marketing your Nonprofit.
The grant was intended to assist VCCFA's mission of promoting commercial fishery resiliancy.
Commercial fishery resiliency is the ability of commercial fishing businesses to prepare for and adapt to coastal hazards and fisheries changes. Factors that can impact a commercial fishery's resilience include how fishermen fish and how they are organized.
Channel Islands Harbor HOIST at Fisherman's Wharf
For tokens, please contact C.I. Harbor Patrol on Ch. 12 or call (805) 973-5960 Tokens can be purchased at the C.I.H.P. Office
Channel Islands Harbor Marine Emporium Landing Hoist
For access contact Hook's Landing. (805) 382-6233
OTHER FISHERY RELATED NEWS
Video: SoCal's Great White Shark Population is Coming Back Strong
Source Surfer.com
