Santa Barbara participants described the strong health of marine resources and the ability to catch a diverse array of high-value species as key strengths. Participants also described access to strong and diverse markets including traditional processors and multiple avenues for direct marketing to restaurants and individual consumers as strengths. Participants highlighted the strong social relationships between fishermen and with external entities such as local governments and management agencies. The community has gotten support for investment in port needs including infrastructure – which fishermen noted is some of the best in the state. The local fishing organization, Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara (CFSB), was described as both strong and effective and fishermen recounted overall high levels of job satisfaction in the port.  

Participants noted some areas for improvement in local markets including the potential to develop more direct marketing, to improve connections between fishermen and restaurants and to improve the reliability of international markets. They outlined concerns related to the high cost of living in the Santa Barbara area and the high cost of limited entry permits which can keep out new fishermen. Participants also conveyed concerns related to the future health of their fisheries including warming ocean temperatures, loss of kelp forest and management which could further limit access to fisheries in the future. They felt relationships with the state could be improved and noted a disconnect between local priorities and state representation.