New Signs at Harbor to Highlight Local Fisheries, Charter Boats, Marine Sanctuaries

Next month, visitors to just outside Half Moon Bay will be able to enjoy a series of six new educational signs highlighting local fisheries, Bay Area marine sanctuaries and the charter boat/water recreation industries.

The idea for the project was originally conceived by Half Moon Bay fishermen and as a way for the public to get a greater understanding of area marine sanctuaries and related industries based out of the harbor.

Dubbed "interpretive panels" by the San Mateo County Harbor Commission — the governing body of Pillar Point Harbor (and the San Mateo County Harbor District) which approved their installation and worked together with MacLean, Anderson and the larger community to make the idea a reality — the signs incorporate explanatory text and photos similar to those seen in museums, zoos, and public parks. They will be installed along the length of the Katherine F. Middleton Promenade located behind the Pillar Point Harbormaster's Office.

One sign is has been dedicated to each of the following subjects:

• Dungeness Crab Fisheries (focus on sustainability)
• Hook and Line Fisheries (focus on salmon trolling)
• Purse Seine Fisheries (focus on schooling fish and squid)
• Trawl Fisheries (focus on bottom fish)
• Marine Sanctuaries (focus on a research vessel conducting expeditions in the Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries)
• Charter Boats (focus on water recreation)

The signs will be unveiled on August 2 at 11 a.m. in a public ceremony at the Katherine F. Middleton Promenade. To see a preview of the signs, click on the photos in the gallery to the right.

San Mateo Harbor District General Manager Peter Grenell, Harbor Commission Board President Pietro Parravano, MacLean and Anderson are scheduled to speak at the event.