Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust

What Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust does

Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in September 2014 and headquartered in Santa Cruz, California. Its core function is the stewardship of community-held fishing rights and quota on behalf of the Monterey Bay region. The Trust holds approximately $1.5 million in fishing quota, an asset that originated from a 2015 divestiture arrangement with The Nature Conservancy and is managed for community benefit rather than commercial return.

The organization's programmatic work centers on three integrated activities: a Community Seafood Program that channels locally caught seafood to food-insecure populations (cumulative output: 141,533+ meals distributed and 35,000+ pounds of seafood purchased), direct support to commercial fishermen and the local fishing economy, and advocacy for fisheries conservation. Distribution partners include Dignity Health, Catholic Charities, Grey Bears, and the Foodbank of Santa Cruz County. Recent programmatic expansions include the February 2025 launch of the 'Future of Blue' initiative aimed at broadening community seafood access, and continued growth of the Get Hooked Dinner Series as a community engagement and fundraising channel.

Revenue mechanics are grant- and donation-based, supported by a diverse coalition of foundation funders (David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Campbell Foundation, Central Coast Foundation), corporate partners (Montage Health, Bay Federal Credit Union), conservation collaborators (The Nature Conservancy, Monterey Bay Aquarium), and individual donors. The organization operates with a lean team of 6 core staff plus a board and is led by Executive Director Melissa Mahoney. The Trust is also advancing a National Heritage Area legislative pursuit to institutionalize long-term regional fisheries protection. The business model is fundamentally community-led, with go-to-market executed through partner networks, events, and direct beneficiary relationships rather than commercial sales channels.

Name

Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust

Legal name

Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust

Website

https://montereybayfisheriestrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust is a Santa Cruz-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that stewards approximately $1.5 million in community-held fishing quota, channels locally caught seafood to food-insecure populations through partner agencies, and advocates for regional fisheries conservation and community seafood access.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Fisheries Nonprofit

NAICS

Fishing (1141)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• Sustainable fisheries management
• Community seafood programs
• Fishing quota stewardship
• Working waterfront revitalization
• Food access nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Cruz

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: The Trust is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization funded by donations and grants from community supporters, foundations, and partners. It accepts one-time donations and recurring Monthly Catch Club contributions. The EIN is 47-1978379.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust is a nonprofit that stewards West Coast groundfish fishing rights in trust for the local community, leases quota to local fishermen at reduced rates, purchases local catch through the Community Seafood Program and donates it to food relief organizations serving food-insecure residents, and runs the Get Hooked Dinner Series and Future of Blue initiative to revitalize the working waterfront.

Product overview

Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of programs centered on sustainable fisheries and local seafood access. The core programs include the Community Seafood Program (purchasing local catch to donate to food relief), Get Hooked (dinner series and local seafood movement building), Quota Leasing (protecting local fishing rights), and Future of Blue (working waterfront revitalization). Supporting resources include the Local Catch Guide directory, Fishermen's Portal, Monthly Catch Club donor program, seafood education guides, and volunteer/partner opportunities. The organization functions as a platform connecting fishermen, food relief organizations, restaurants, markets, and consumers to strengthen Monterey Bay's local seafood system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Seafood Program Purchases local catch from fishermen at fair market rates and donates it to food relief organizations, addressing food insecurity while supporting the local fishing economy. For fishermen, it provides a reliable market; for food-insecure residents across Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, it provides fresh nutritious protein.
• Quota Leasing Program Holds West Coast groundfish fishing rights (individual fishing quota and permits) in trust for the local community and leases them annually to local fishermen at affordable, reduced rates to keep fishing rights from being consolidated by out-of-state operators.
• Get Hooked Dinner Series

Quantifiable outcome

• 141,533+ seafood meals donated to food-insecure neighbors; 35,000+ lbs of local seafood purchased from fishermen; $1.5M in fishing quota stewarded; 100+ active fishing vessels supported

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, primary and flagship.

• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015In 2015, The Nature Conservancy divested more than $1 million in local fishing rights (IFQ/quota) to the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust, enabling the Trust to begin its quota leasing program. This transfer was the foundational act that enabled the Trust to protect local access to the West Coast groundfish fishery for the community.
• LusamericaprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeafood processor and wholesaler distributing throughout the region; became a Community Seafood Program supply partner in 2023. Lusamerica has helped create a market for underutilized local species such as grenadier through the CSP. Parent company to Monterey Bay Seafood; leases a dock in Moss Landing Harbor supporting over 25 small-scale day boats.
• Ocean2TableprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity-supported fishery with delivery throughout Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties and the SF Bay Area. Co-owner Ian Cole has been a CSP partner since its inception in November 2020 and serves on the MBFT advisory board. O2T provides a direct channel from fishermen to consumers and supplies seafood to the Community Seafood Program.
• Real Good FishprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity-supported fishery providing a diversity of California species caught using sustainable catch methods. Pickup at host sites, delivery throughout the Monterey Bay region, and overnight shipping to California and other states. Co-founders Alan Lovewell and Jenn Gerard-Lovewell are founding advocates of the Community Seafood Program.
• Sea Harvest (Deyerle Brothers)primaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily-owned wholesale business and restaurants operated by the Deyerle family for over 30 years. Supplies seafood to the Community Seafood Program. Fisherman Walter Deyerle (F/V Sea Harvest IV) is quoted as saying he loves the CSP program and that food banks love the fish they supply. Calder Deyerle serves on the MBFT advisory board.
• Food Bank of Monterey CountyprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReceives donated local seafood purchased by MBFT through the Community Seafood Program, distributing fresh nutritious protein to food-insecure residents across Monterey County.
• Second Harvest Food BankprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReceives donated local seafood from MBFT Community Seafood Program. Santa Cruz County's primary food bank, grappling with loss of federal government aid during the period covered, has seen the CSP triple the amount of locally caught fish provided to needy families in two years.
• Meals on Wheels of the Monterey PeninsulaprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReceives donated local seafood from MBFT Community Seafood Program to distribute to seniors in need. Quoted as 'tremendously grateful' for the partnership, describing it as 'an excellent example of creative collaboration.'
• Grey BearsprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoined the Community Seafood Program as a new partner in 2025. A nonprofit serving older Santa Cruz County adults through healthy food distributions and community programs. Partnership brings sustainably caught seafood and hot meal offerings to Grey Bears' food distributions.
• Al and FriendscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood relief organization receiving donated local seafood from MBFT Community Seafood Program. Described the CSP as sharing 'something that is hard to come by in our community' and aligned with their mission of sustainable food systems.
• Nancy's ProjectcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood relief organization that partners with the food pantry at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salinas for Wednesday food distribution. Featured in May 2026 media coverage as receiving local fish donations from MBFT.
• Pajaro Valley Loaves and FishescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReceives donated local seafood from MBFT Community Seafood Program. Director Ashley Bridges noted that many clients would not be able to afford fresh fish otherwise, calling it an 'extra special treat' for pantry clients.
• Monterey Bay AquariumflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerGet Hooked Champion sponsor for the 2026 Get Hooked Dinner Series. Serves on the MBFT advisory board (Andre Boustany). The Aquarium's Seafood Watch program upgraded 21 West Coast groundfish species from 'Avoid' to 'Best Choice' or 'Good Alternative' following the fishery's MSC certification.
• Montage HealthflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerBoat-to-Table Sponsor for the 2026 Get Hooked Dinner Series. As a major regional healthcare provider, this sponsorship aligns with community health and food access missions.
• Bay Federal Credit UnionflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Catch Sponsor for the 2026 Get Hooked Dinner Series. Regional financial institution supporting the local seafood movement.
• Regenerative CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-lead of the Future of Blue initiative alongside MBFT — a groundbreaking regional partnership to revitalize Monterey Bay's working waterfronts and build a sustainable blue economy (the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, livelihoods, and jobs while preserving ocean health).
• Alan Lovewell (Real Good Fish)coreOthersCo-founder of Real Good Fish CSF and founding advocate of the Community Seafood Program. Quoted as saying the CSP connects the need for food with fishermen who are ready, willing, and able to catch fish and provide that to the community. Serves on the MBFT advisory board.
• Ian Cole (Ocean2Table)coreOthersCo-owner and operator of Ocean2Table and founding CSP partner. Quoted stating MBFT plays a key role in strengthening both the supply and demand sides of the local seafood system. Serves on the MBFT advisory board.
• Hook & Line RestaurantprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorModern California seafood eatery in Santa Cruz. Lejla Borovac of Hook & Line serves on the MBFT advisory board. Listed as a 2026 Get Hooked Dinner Series venue (February 24 event).

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance: A nonprofit that supports small-scale, community-based fishing across the Northeast and is a key convening organization for community-supported fisheries and port-side community seafood work that MBFT also delivers operationally.
• Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations: A trade association representing West Coast commercial fishermen, including groundfish, on regulatory and policy issues. Highly comparable advocacy and fishery-stewardship mission targeting the same fishing community MBFT serves.
• Morro Bay Community Quota Fund: The earliest and only other operational community quota fund model in the U.S. Also stewards West Coast groundfish IFQ for the local Morro Bay fishing community. Quota Manager Dwayne Oberhoff at MBFT previously worked at this organization, evidencing direct operational overlap with the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust.
• Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance: A nonprofit fishermen-led organization supporting small-boat commercial fishing on Cape Cod. Operates a community seafood program and advocates for small-scale fishermen using a similar blend of quota/permit stewardship, food access, and community engagement — mirroring MBFT's playbook in the Northeast.
• Local Catch Network: A national network of community-supported fisheries (CSFs) including Real Good Fish and Ocean2Table, both of which partner with MBFT. Provides comparable infrastructure for local-seafood food access programming that complements MBFT's Community Seafood Program.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (California Chapter): The global conservation NGO that divested $1M+ in fishing rights to MBFT in 2015, seeding the Trust's quota leasing program. Comparable as a marine conservation and fisheries sustainability funder/operator at much larger scale.
• Environmental Defense Fund: A large environmental NGO that has run West Coast groundfish and catch-share reform campaigns for years — overlapping with MBFT on West Coast fisheries policy work but at a substantially larger and more national scale.

Emerging players

• Ocean2Table: A small community-supported fishery with delivery throughout Santa Cruz/Monterey and the SF Bay Area. Direct CSF channel partner in the Community Seafood Program since 2020 and an MBFT advisory board participant.
• Real Good Fish: A community-supported fishery (CSF) based in Santa Cruz serving Monterey Bay and beyond. Functions as both a CSF channel partner and a peer community-seafood operator with overlap on species sourcing and chef/fisherman storytelling programming.

Others

• Sea Grant California (UC ANR): The California Sea Grant College Program supports coastal and fisheries research, extension, and community programs across the state. Comparable as a funder/infrastructure provider supporting the same small-scale fishing communities MBFT serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust