Moss Landing Fishing Community Reviews Industry Trends and Waterfront Needs

MOSS LANDING, Calif. — Local fishermen and other waterfront stakeholders gathered at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories on October 26 to examine a new assessment of Monterey Bay’s commercial fishing economy and discuss the future needs of the working harbor.

Approximately 20 participants attended the discussion, according to an October 27 report by Edible Monterey Bay. The meeting centered on a study titled Monterey Bay Commercial Fisheries: Status and Trends, which looks at how fishing participation, earnings and infrastructure have changed.

What the report found

The report draws on decades of regional fisheries data. It describes fewer active vessels, changing species availability and fluctuating economic conditions. The economic picture is not simply one of steady decline: seafood value, fleet participation and business infrastructure have not all moved in the same direction.

The findings also highlight how storage, dock facilities and seafood distribution affect whether value from locally caught fish remains within the regional economy.

Turning research into local priorities

The meeting was connected to the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust’s Future of Blue initiative and a Moss Landing pilot scheduled to run from July 2026 through June 2027.

The pilot aims to identify priorities through discussions among working fishermen, harbor representatives, researchers and other partners. No particular waterfront improvement should be considered funded or approved solely because it was discussed in this process.

Why it matters in Moss Landing

Commercial fishing remains central to the identity of Moss Landing, alongside marine research, tourism and recreational boating. The future of the industry depends not only on fish populations but on whether small fishing businesses can afford to operate, land their catch and reach customers.

Residents can learn more from the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust’s report introduction.

Illustrative image: Vincent Y / Unsplash. This photo does not depict Moss Landing Harbor.

Sources: Edible Monterey Bay, October 27, 2026; Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust; Central Coast Food Commons.

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