Subsistence anglers are underprivileged folks who are after a food source for today’s meal, rather than fishing for sport.
We have a good number of recreational sport anglers on the coast, and they are a major economic driver for our local economies. We have even more subsistence anglers who may not be economic drivers, but they need something to put on their kids’ plates tonight.
If they can catch a fish today, then their kids have protein tonight. If they are fortunate enough to catch two fish, then Mom and Pop can have some protein, too.
Subsistence anglers have captured my heart, and I have an event planned to help them. The problem to solve is hunger.
My solution is not to give them a fish, but instead provide gear and teach them to fish, so the kids can have good nutritious protein again and again. We have an event scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 17 at Goleta Beach County Park Pier to do exactly that.
It came about as a suggestion. I serve on the Santa Barbara Channel MPA Collaborative where we message to the public about Marine Protected Areas. The collaborative heard my suggestion and decided to help by funding and organizing a Subsistence Fishing Community Event at Goleta Beach.
Funding was made through the Once Through Cooling program of the Resources Legacy Fund, and our local Santa Barbara Channel Keeper was kind enough to serve as the fiscal sponsor.
This program is intended to benefit true subsistence anglers who genuinely need the food source provided by our well-managed and sustainable fisheries. The pier is always open to all anglers; however this program is to benefit those who need it most.
Here’s the way it will work … the first 40 true subsistence anglers will receive a new rod and reel with line, weight and Sabiki leader (limit one rod per family), which is all that is needed to catch fish. I will be teaching people how to use their fishing gear and some of the tricks to catch fish.
There will be interpreters available to help with a few of the more common languages in our community. We have enlisted a number of skilled anglers to spread out and help teach people to catch fish for their family table. We can use a few more knowledgeable helpers.
Please help by spreading the word through the underserved community that an opportunity exists to learn about fishing for the family table. I would like to see people who attend who have never fished before but want to learn another way to sustainably feed their family.
— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
