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contact: venturacountyfishermen@gmail.com
VCCFA is guided by the belief that commercial fishermen deserve a strong, unified voice in the decisions that shape their lives, their businesses, and their future. At the heart of everything VCCFA does is an unwavering commitment to empowering its members - licensed fishermen, vessel owners, and deckhands alike — to actively participate in the policies, markets, and conversations that affect their livelihoods.
VCCFA is committed to community, recognizing that the relationship between Ventura County residents and their local fishing fleet is a vital and irreplaceable bond —one built on trust, fresh food, and a shared coastal heritage. VCCFA honors the working waterfronts of Ventura and Channel Islands Harbors as sacred economic and cultural anchors of that community, and pledges to protect and preserve that infrastructure for those who depend on it today and those who will inherit it tomorrow.
VCCFA believes that responsible stewardship of the ocean’s resources is inseparable from a thriving fishing industry. Through education, partnership, and sustained engagement with local, state, and federal agencies, VCCFA upholds the highest standards of sustainable fishing practice — not because it is required, but because fishermen understand better than anyone that the health of the sea is the foundation of their resilience. It is this resilience — the ability to adapt, unite, and endure — that VCCFA carries as its deepest value, sharing it freely with fishing communities across California and the nation.
Vision
The Ventura County Commercial Fishermen’s Association envisions a future where resilient coastal communities across America have direct access to locally caught, sustainably harvested seafood; where working waterfronts are thriving centers of commerce, culture, and education; and where commercial fishing is celebrated as an essential part of our national identity and food security. By strengthening our roots in Ventura and Channel Islands Harbors and partnering with commercial fishing associations across California and the nation, VCCFA strives to be a model for how fishing communities can adapt, unite, and endure — preserving the livelihoods of fishermen and the traditions of the sea for generations to come.
VCCFA MISSION STATEMENT
The Ventura County Commercial Fishermen’s Association (VCCFA) is a California nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting our community with the fresh, locally caught seafood that defines our coastal heritage. We educate the public and the next generation of fishermen about the rich traditions and opportunities of working waterfront life, while working to protect the harbor infrastructure of Ventura and Channel Islands Harbors that our fishing fleet depends on. Through active engagement with state, federal, and local agencies, we advocate for policies that remove barriers to market and preserve the rights of our members — licensed commercial fishermen, vessel owners, and deckhands — to make their living on the water. We promote responsible stewardship of our marine resources on a sustained yield basis, and support the economic vitality of our members’ fishing businesses, ensuring that commercial fishing remains a thriving, viable way of life for generations to come.
Priorities
- Infrastructure
- Protection and Promotion of Resources (Fishing Area)
- Marketing
- Education is an additional priority. Through educating future commercial anglers, we can continue our sustainable fisheries.
March 2026 VCCFA newsletter.pdfTOP NEWS
Minutes from the last Member Meeting Posted Here
Interested in selling your product at VCCFA's Weekly Fisherman's Market coming to Channel Islands Harbor? Contact wakuehn@gmail.com with the following information:
Full name
Commercial fishing license number
Seller’s license number
Type(s) of fish you intend to sell
*Must be a VCCFA Member in GOOD STANDING
Upcoming MEMBER MEETING SUNDAY JULY 5 at 4pm via Zoom
This week, VCCFA made steady progress ... Click Here to see more
MPA Petition Guide and Process for Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo County...
CA Fish And Game Commission
MPA Petition Process
Petitions are being considered by The California Fish and Game Commission currently. CLICK HERE .
VCCFA Positions on each Petition CLICK HERE
GGGI Workshop Date announced
GGGI Oceanside Workshop May 12-13 2026 Invitation.pdfGGGI Hosting free workshop in Oceanside May 12-13
This two-day interactive workshop for fishing industry stakeholders
participating in pot and trap fisheries in California offers an opportunity to
learn, contribute to, and reinforce strategies that prevent, mitigate and
remediate effects of ghost fishing gear.
VCCFA Staff will attend, but member participation is encouraged. Contact Dave Colker for more information or sign up using the pdf above
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BOD ELECTIONS
VCCFA Board of Directors Election Nominations now accepted. Due by April 12, 2026. CLICK HERE
Ballots will be sent to ALL VCCFA VOTING MEMBERS Monday April 13
Ballots Due by Sunday May 31, 2026
Ocean Rainforest Webinar available online now.
On February 5th, 2026 Ocean Rainforest held a webinar detailing project status from the aquaculture location outside of Santa Barbara Harbor. You can view the webinar below.
Minutes from VCCFA Member Meeting: Mar 1st, 2026 Posted
Members meet every other month on the first Sunday at 4pm. Typically the meetings are virtual. All previous meeting notes can be viewed clicking the link above. Members are encouraged to participate in these meetings.
2 Hoists available in Channel Islands Harbor
Both Marine Emporium Landing and Fisherman's Wharf Hoists are available for Commercial Fishing Activity, including Loading and Offloading Products. Contact Harbor Patrol CH. 12 or (805) 973-5959 for tokens and information.
Member meeting Minutes
For Sunday March 1, Member Meeting Results and archived meeting minutes, click here
Interested in knowing more about the working relationship between Commercial Fishermen and the Oil Industry? Check out this video featuring Dr. Mary Nishimoto, Join Oil Fisheries Liaison Office:
Mary Nishimoto actively works with VCCFA to communicate between Commercial Fishermen and The Oil Industry, Her presentation at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum has been recorded and made available to view. Check out the link below to watch the presentation.
Global Ghost Gear Initiative Workshop held in Channel Islands Harbor, VCCFA Executive Director attended the workshop along with 2 VCCFA Members.
August 26-27 2025
Working towards getting lost gear (specifically in the Commercial Lobster Fishery out of the ocean and potentially back to Lobster Fishermen, The Global Ghost Gear Initiave held a focused workshop bringing together NGO's, Acedemic Representatives. Government Officials, Commercia Fishermen, and other interested Stakeholders.
VCCFA annual In person Meeting was held at Fishermen's Catch in Channel Islands Harbor on Monday June 2nd 2025
Click here for photos and slides
NEWS AND UPDATES
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.
Update: Channel Islands Harbor Outdoor Fishermans Market Committee will be meeting February 2nd, 2025 to begin work.
You can still Email venturacountyfishermen@gmail.com with questions or comments..
Market Your Catch: A valuable resource from CA SEA GRANT and UCSB Review here
VCCFA Opposing 2000 square foot Commercial Aquaculture Site Application, submitted to U.S. Army Corp of Engineers from Ocean Rainforest. VCCFA Subbmitted a letter of opposition on January 7th, 2025.
Opposition Letter can be viewed here.
The deadline was January 22. Letters were sent to theresa.stevens@usace.army.mil
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).
Petitions from Bin 2 will be considered in 2025, with the goal to have them all completed by end of year.
VCCFA will be submitting letters of support for those that increase commercial fishing opportunities, and letters of opposition for those that further restrict commercial fishing opportunities.
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,
2024 VCCFA and CFSB hosted Summer Beach Day:
...for Commercial Fishermen and friends. This gathering took place Sunday August 11th, 2024 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! 2025 Will Be even BIGGER! See you there!
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
