Lisa Wooninck, Finding Sanctuary: Casting a fishing line in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
With 6,094 square miles of blue ocean and 276 miles of coastline to explore, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary offers countless ways to get into your sanctuary through a variety of recreational activities: a beach walk, boating, surfing, scuba, or fishing.
“We recognize the significant social and economic contributions of recreational fishing and boating to coastal communities, as well as the role fishermen and boaters play in the stewardship of natural resources,” says Daniel Studt, NOAA Fisheries West Coast recreational fisheries coordinator. In 2022, saltwater angling along the Pacific Coast drove $1.1 billion in sales impacts, contributed $663 million to the US gross domestic product, and supported more than 7,500 jobs. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a particularly important recreational fishing destination on our West Coast,”
Recreational fishers have many options to access the sanctuary, including fishing charters and public piers. Fishing charters often rent gear and sell licenses, making them an easy and reliable way to fish. Except on public piers, fishing requires a license from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Just steps from the Sanctuary Exploration Center is the Santa Cruz Wharf. When walking along the wharf, you often see people of all ages casting a line into the water. Tina Williams, owner of Santa Cruz Boat Rentals provided some fishing tips.
“Santa Cruz Wharf has a variety of habitats for casting a line – it has sandy bottom in the middle, artificial reef and debris at the end and pilings in the fishing wells,” Williams says. “You can catch jacksmelt, surfperch, sand dabs and if you are lucky, halibut and lingcod bite in the summertime.”
The sanctuary does not regulate fishing and defers to the state and federal fishery managers for management of fisheries. It’s best to inform yourself of the fishing regulations before you throw a line in the water. Different species have their own regulations for location, season, and a catch limit. Knowing what species you are likely to catch helps with making decisions that keep you responsible and the fish safe.
When practicing catch-and-release fishing, ensure you have the right gear for your target species. Barbless hooks and stainless steel gear, free of lead, are best for minimizing injury to the fish and environment. Once a fish is reeled in, keep it in water to minimize air exposure, since fish require water to breathe. Also preserve the protective slime on their skin by only handling fish with wet hands. By keeping fish wet, you help increase their chances of survival after release. It is critical that you recover and properly dispose of all fishing lines to reduce entangling other wildlife, such as birds.
On July 27, National Park Trust, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, NOAA Fisheries, and sanctuary staff invited six veterans, two National Guard/Reservists and one active duty Air Force member plus their families on a recreational fishing charter trip out of Monterey. The 40 participants learned tips and tricks for sustainable recreational fishing, wildlife viewing, and were part of the annual Get Into Your Sanctuary weekend. The trip was a meaningful way for us to express our gratitude to these families for their service and sacrifices to our country.
The sanctuary’s goal is to encourage a new generation, across different cultures and lifestyles, to sustainably fish and enjoy the wonders of the sanctuary and all that it has to offer. When conducted safely and responsibly, recreational fishing is a fun and exciting activity.
