Welcome to VCCFA
Ventura County Commercial Fishermen's Association
est. 1987
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Strength in numbers 83 Members and growing: Join today!
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contact: venturacountyfishermen@gmail.com
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 2026, 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
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.
March 2026 VCCFA newsletter.pdfTOP NEWS
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
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?
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
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
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