CFSB General Meeting Minutes August 15 2020
Attendees
President - Chris Voss
Vice President - John Colgate
Executive Director - Kim Selkoe
Board Members
○ Bernard Friedman
○ Gary Burke
○ Mike McCorkle
Members
○ Garrett Rose
○ Andy Rosmussen
○ Nathan Rosser
○ Chris Kubiak
Other
○ Michael Nelson
○ Mike Conroy
○ BR Hoover
○ Eliza Harrison (Ocean Rainforest)
○ Javier Infante (Ocean Rainforest)
Meeting held via zoom.
Approval Of Minutes
Motion to approve last meeting minutes made by Burke, seconded by Voss. Unanimous approval
President’s Remarks By Chris Voss
Recap of infrastructure project
City council meeting updates - City Council working group has been created to get decision-making going on a site and financing strategy for a new boat yard. Mike Jordan and Eric Friedman will be leading the working group going forward. A 7-0 vote in support by City Council. Thanks to those who spoke. We are waiting on more grant funding that would support our engagement in the process.
Recap fish purchasing operation
The fish purchasing operation was a success. CFSB received $32,500 in funding from local foundations to provide seafood for the local food banks. Ultimately, 3,200 lb of locally sourced and processed fish was donated to the local community in this time of crisis.
This is a socially and economically beneficial program, and there is a possibility CFSB will engage again, following the success of the first time. Board approval will be needed if this is decided to happen.
Updates On AB3030 And Offshore Wind - Mike Conroy, PCFFA
AB3030
California bill AB 3030 is an act to add Section 9001.6 to the Public Resources Code, relating to resource conservation. AB3030 aims to protect 30% of the state’s lands and waters, and help to advance protection of 30% of the entire nation’s oceans, by 2030.
AB3030 was passed through the assembly (6-2) and is now in senate appropriations, to be heard as early as 8/19 and as late as 8/20. Due to the truncated timeline, if the bill is held up in appropriations, this issue can be pushed off for another 5 months.
As it stands, AB3030 does not contain language ensuring new MPAs will not be adopted. We are trying to get amendments, and expand the definition of “protected” to include EFSH sanctuaries. If included, we will be over 30% and the bill will not have any impact on us.
There is currently a federal bill that has similar, but more severe language.
UPDATE: The bill was killed at appropriations on 8.20.20! We will prepare for a round two next session.
Offshore Wind
There’s a group at the State to craft an Offshore Wind Strategic Plan (CA Energy Commission, OPC, industry groups, Mike McGuire’s office). Limon working on fast tracking this plan. It is being created in order to attract wind companies, create jobs, investments, etc. Mike has raised concerns that this process is not engaging fisheries and making it clear what regulatory pathways should be used. There is a great lack of communication between the state, private offshore wind developing companies, and the fishing industry. Mike McGuire has a plan to reach out to address it.
Concerns were raised regarding the impact on fishing grounds (due to construction of turbines and permanent infrastructure) and whether the state/private companies are considering mitigation to the fishing industry.
Comments
PCFFA is doing a great job in staying engaged on the policy side and acting as a strong advocate for the fishing industry. CFSB can support their work through a financial donation.
Overview And Discussion Of CFSB Activities And Priorities - Kim Selkoe
2020 Grants Update
Safety Equipment: There are still funds available. Please reach out if you need.
Boiling Station at Saturday Market: Currently working on permitting and engaging stakeholders.
Corbit Grant: We have been approached by the harbor department to do a smaller “COVID-friendly” harbor festival; the grant can be used for this.
USDA and Catch Together Grants: Submitted these 2 and awaiting response. They will be used to fund the infrastructure campaign.
Current Projects
Oil Rig Decommissioning
Saturday Market
Quota Bank
Food Bank
AB3030
Other Advocacy
2020 CFSB Budget Summary
This year the expenses are a little higher due to payments to Wildlife Science International of $5600.00 for otter de-listing research.
Income is high due to many grants received, but we may not have the fundraising from the Harbor festival (due to COVID)
The books look good. Please reach out to Michael Harrington if you have more questions.
Comments
Concerns were raised that CFSB’s income and expenses are higher than usual. Since income is mostly from grants, and expenses are staff’s hourly work, both can be scaled down in the future as appropriate.
Motion to approve Kim Selko’s budget projections for 2020 made by Voss, seconded by Friedman. Unanimous approval.
*Please provide input on how you would like to see CFSB money spent moving forward.
Guest Presentation - Eliza Harrison, Ocean Rainforest
*Request Fishermen Feedback
“Transforming Offshore Seaweed Cultivation Proposed Demonstration Project in Federal Waters”
Ocean Rainforest is requesting feedback on the site that has been proposed for an offshore seaweed cultivation demo project. The aim is to demonstrate the commercial potential for offshore seaweed cultivation in waters as deep as 150m. The demo project will be cultivating native species in the Santa Barbara Channel. Seaweed cultivation is not meant to compete with the fishing industry, and they plan to evaluate the economic impact on the fishers from the project.
Ocean Rainforest is requesting 86 Acres (actual cultivation area is 16 acres, rest if mooring lines) for their two year project. The project is temporary, with a complete removal of gear from the site after the two years. Using data from DFW, they have identified a suitable site located 4 nm from shore and looks like relative low vessel traffic.
34°19'58.53"N, 119°42'46.44"W
34°20'10.12"N, 119°42'45.83"W
34°20'11.23"N, 119°42'7.45"W
34°19'59.64"N, 119°42'8.03"W
Comments
Concerns were raised that there are fishermen who use the area for trawling, and this would have an impact on fishing activity.
Questions were raised regarding how Ocean Rainforest is planning on evaluating the economic impact on fishers.
Having underwater structures can increase fish populations. Kelp is key to the life cycle of rockfish and they will benefit from having habitat in additional kelp growing structures. However, unsure if it will offset the impact it will have on the fishers that operate in that area.
*Please send additional feedback/questions/concerns regarding location to Eliza Harrison (eliza@oceanrainforest.com)
Board Of Directors & Election Of Officers - Kim Selkoe
Voting for the board of directors will most likely be done via Google Forms. This has been done in the past, and has been successful. Voting will not be anonymous to ensure everyone gets one vote.
There was a general consensus that board members should reach out to younger folks who align with them as alternates. Nominees will need to be finalized very soon. If you are interested or would like to nominate someone, please let Kim know ASAP.
Among those in attendance, interest was indicated by the following: Chris Voss, Bernard Friedman, John Colgate, Michael Harrington (alternate: ZacK Robinson), Gary Burke, Garrett Rose.
Voss suggested that the board collectively make a commitment to talk to people, encourage them to sign up, and within a week and a half the list will be finalized.
Meeting ended at 5pm with a closed door session on hiring the assistant to the director. Vote was unanimous to hire BR Hoover.
5:30 Adjourn Chris Voss