December 2024 - Director's Corner

By Melissa Mahoney - December 9, 2024

Reflecting on Resilience  

Winter has arrived, bringing a rhythm of heavy rains interspersed with calm, sunny days. Whales continue their majestic visits to the bay, while fishermen, facing uncertain times, ponder their futures.  

I find myself reflecting on these challenges, too—thinking about the Trust’s 10-year journey and where the next decade might lead. The viability of our fishing industry hangs in the balance, strained by limited access, relentless market competition, rising costs, and the growing weight of regulations and policy discussions.  

“How am I going to pay my bills with no income?” a fisherman recently asked me. He wondered whether Monterey Bay would ever see a salmon fishery again. I hope so. But how do we ensure that future generations can experience and benefit from this remarkable and nourishing species?  

This month, Mark C. Anderson’s feature article on the Klamath River offers a glimmer of hope. After years of tireless efforts by Indigenous tribes and community advocates, four dams have finally been removed, allowing salmon to return to creeks hundreds of miles upstream. Their story reminds us of nature’s incredible resilience and the power of persistence. It took years of collaboration, arguments, and dedication to achieve this milestone, but the rewards are already becoming visible.  

Nature constantly adapts and transforms, responding to new challenges. Perhaps we can take inspiration from her, learning to navigate change and find creative solutions. One such solution we aim to launch in the new year is a community and data-driven effort to envision a new future for our fisheries. More to come on that in 2025!  

This holiday season, I am filled with gratitude—for the beauty of Monterey Bay, the resilience of our ecosystem and community, and the generosity that continues to sustain our work. As we close the year, let us celebrate the small miracles all around us, reflect on our accomplishments and our failures, and prepare to move forward with the currents of the year ahead.  

May you and your loved ones be healthy, happy, and bright this season, as we look forward to a shared future full of possibility.