SeaSketch project via CFSB

To participate, contact Ava at ava@cfsb.info.

Hello,

To ensure that any aquaculture endeavors, or other initiatives that could cause spatial loss, minimally impacts fishermen and where they fish/their transit routes, Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara has decided to complete a mapping project to create an aggregate heat map showing where our most heavily used zones are. Other ports along the Central Coast have already completed this mapping project for their fleets - This process was kicked off by the encouragement of Ken Bates and Steve Scheiblaure from up North who recommended we have a map for our ports down here too.

This process is entirely confidential and names will not be associated with the data entered. Though CFSB staff (Ava) will be completing the survey with fishermen individually, she (and anyone else) will not be able to see backend data once inputted, only the end product. 

We have partnered with a third-party data analyst with SeaSketch to build out the software that houses the mapping project. She has access to the data while the process is taking place, but once completed, the raw data will be destroyed and her access will therefore be removed. These details are emphasized in the Data Sharing Agreement that is displayed at the beginning of the survey. Again, the goal is to have an aggregated heat map, and the final product will only be shared with groups that pose a threat to our fishing grounds (with the consent of participants of course).

This process is completely voluntary, but we are hoping that folks will participate because any grounds that are not entered are at risk of being repurposed. We are hoping that this incentivizes fishermen to participate and therefore protect their areas.

If you would like to complete the survey, here is what you can expect:

• Ava will meet with you in person and give you an overview of the project

• You will read/give consent to the data privacy agreement form

• You will fill out your commercial fishing zones using a shape-drawing tool in the SeaSketch interface and then select what species/gear types you use in each shape

• You will fill out your transit zones using the shape-drawing tool as well

• You will add any additional notes/comments you'd like to share

• That's it! Depending on how many areas you fish, these interviews take approximately 30 min on average (14 have been completed so far with Santa Barbara fishermen)

If you are interested in participating in the project, please reach out to Ava directly at ava@cfsb.info. She is located in Santa Barbara but would be happy to drive to Ventura/Channel Islands to meet with folks accordingly.

Thank you for your consideration.