CFSB Board Meeting Minutes - September 28th,  2026 3PM

 

Attendees: Jeff Maassen, Trent Pettersen, Kim Selkoe, Jeff Hepp, Harry Liquornik, Gary Burke, Garrett Rose, Ben Hyman, Chris Voss, Kim Selkoe, Jason Woods, Dan O’Shea, Tony Luna, Ray Kennedy, Ed Anderson, Michael Harrington

Notes: AI (Ava’s computer being used to project the meeting on the TV screen so she couldn’t take notes)
 

Agenda:

*Housekeeping, time limits, 3 minute maximum policy on individual comments 


  1. Blue Water Marine - Jethro Acosta

    1. Seeking info on what would be most valuable to have in stock at a potential store where West Marine was 

  2. Changing banks

  3. Ab Farm using CFSB as fiscal sponsor for a grant?

  4. Harbor Festival 10/17

    1. Lobster buying, no crab (Kennedy selling separately)

  5. Safety Grant - Andy

  6. Cal Poly project on commercial fishing - Natalie Rusin

  7. Fishing Apprenticeship Program

    1. Dec 1-3

  8. Discuss approach to bringing on a new Executive Director so Ava and Kim can in reduce their roles in the new year

  9. Ocean Collective

    1. Entity formation

    2. Reminder to fill in the survey on interest in space rental in the Ocean Collective Yard at SBCC (when it’s built in 2027 or 2028)

  10. MPAs

    1. Collaborative meeting recap 

    2. Upcoming FGC meeting on 10/14, 15th, and 16th

  11. Purple urchin removal/kelp restoration project update

    1. New potential site at Refugio

    2. North Coast Kelp Fest 10/9-10/12 in Mendocino & Fort Bragg, Harvest to Heal film screening

  12. Other



Recording: Link

Chris calls the meeting to order at 4:01PM upstairs in the harbor classroom. 

Transcript

https://otter.ai/u/Tn0nmTL7fg9zagY7oVx0KAEBf2s?view=summary

Overview: The meeting reviewed harbor business, organizational administration, safety programs, research collaboration, and CFSB’s future staffing needs.

Harbor Lease

  • Jethro presented a plan to operate a locally focused marine supply store in the former West Marine space, emphasizing commercial boating inventory, seasonal stocking, next-day ordering, and limited tourist merchandise.

  • The proposal will be evaluated through a city RFP requiring financial capacity, a business plan, and a marketing plan. The unresolved question is whether the proposed store can secure the lease and meet the harbor’s commercial fishing needs.

Administration

  • The board approved changing CFSB’s banking relationship to Montecito Bank & Trust, with timing and account signatories to be handled appropriately.

  • CFSB discussed partnering with the cultured abalone farm on a potential approximately $16,000 UCSB Coastal Fund internship grant; the administrative fee and payment structure remain unresolved.

  • The harbor festival lobster purchase and pricing remain pending supplier coordination and a later board decision.

Future Capacity

  • Safety training and a pilot fishing apprenticeship program are planned, with insurance and liability requirements still under review.

  • Kim and Ava expect to reduce their CFSB commitments, prompting discussion of succession, employment classification, and whether to recruit an executive director or project-based contractor.

Action Items

  • Check with all usual lobster sellers about participating in the Harbor Festival and report the supplier responses to Chris.

  • Return to the board for a vote on the lobster purchase price after the opener next week. 

  • Propose a fair CFSB administrative overhead amount for the Abalone Farm internship grant partnership.

  • Coordinate with the Coastal Fund application team to specify a manageable payment schedule, preferably two to three payments per intern over the 18-week program.

  • Publicize and organize the December 1–3 first-aid and drill-conductor safety training for Santa Barbara Channel fishermen.

  • Investigate travel costs and gather additional information for interested fishermen attending Sea Grant's San Diego apprenticeship classroom sessions in January.

  • Draft a description of the reduced-capacity successor role and the work that person could assume for discussion at the next board meeting.

  • Set up a follow-up discussion between the Cal Poly project team and CFSB representatives about seafood marketing, website, and public-relations opportunities.

Outline

Harbor Lease Proposal

  • Jethro presented a commercial marine supply store concept for the former West Marine location.

  • Proposed inventory would focus primarily on boating supplies, with smaller fishing and tourist sections.

  • Discussion covered West Marine’s Dockside and Pro delivery programs, vendor relationships, sales data, tax exemptions, seasonal inventory, and local customer expertise.

  • The city RFP is expected to require financing evidence, a business plan, and a marketing plan.

Banking Decision

  • The board discussed problems with U.S. Bank, including lost signatory records and difficulties depositing checks.

  • The board approved transitioning to Montecito Bank & Trust, while considering future officer changes and account timing.

Abalone Farm Grant

  • The cultured abalone farm proposed a UCSB Coastal Fund grant for three paid interns.

  • Proposed work includes communications about abalone diving history, purple urchin ranching, farm husbandry, and blue-economy workforce education.

  • The administrative overhead, payment schedule, and final grant amount remain unsettled.

Harbor Festival

  • The group discussed purchasing lobster from Saturday Fishermen’s Market vendors at a premium.

  • Supplier participation, purchase volume, and final pricing remain open.

Safety Support

  • Existing county and cable committee reimbursement options for life raft repacking and other safety equipment were reviewed.

  • The meeting discussed improving awareness of available safety funding.

Cal Poly Project

  • Natalie Rusin introduced a five-person senior project exploring practical solutions for commercial fishing.

  • Potential themes included fuel and permit costs, fishing access, bycatch, technology, local seafood marketing, and public perception.

Training Programs

  • Sea Grant safety training and drill conductor training are planned for December.

  • A pilot apprenticeship program may pair captains or the abalone farm with apprentices, subject to insurance, liability, vetting, and training details.

CFSB Capacity

  • Kim and Ava discussed reducing their commitments and creating a succession plan.

  • The board considered an executive director, project-based contractor, or reduced operating model.

  • The Ocean Collective will become its own nonprofit with a new director who can shoulder some of the more involved collaborative projects so CFSB doesn’t have to administer them, allowing CFSB’s new staff  to focus just on continuity of restoration, advocacy, festival, and market work.

 

Chris ends the meeting at 5:56PM upstairs in the harbor classroom.