Planning for the Future
It's time to replace the outdated 1983 & 1991 master plans with a new vision.
At Pillar Point harbor, charter boats start their engines by 4 am, taking people out to drop a line in the water and watch for whales. The Princeton Seafood Company sells fresh fish at their market and restaurant. Yuri Daher runs a bait and tackle shop. At the end of the day, the old salts come to drink at Ketch Joanne's 'Harbor Bar'.
The 1991 master plan says the district will "provide support for increased commercial fishing activities." Filling Perched Beach is a step in implementing that ambitious expansion plan.
Unfortunately, commercial fishing in California has been declining for decades. Fishing boats can be found abandoned at the harbor because there are too few salmon. The fishing industry is struggling, commercial fishermen have given up or retired and local seafood businesses have closed.
The District needs a new plan.
The businesses that will thrive in the future are not big industrial fishing operations. They are tourism related, like Mavericks Surf shop and Half Moon Bay Kayak company. Tourism businesses attract hungry customers to come buy crab and fish right off the boats. The District should do its best to support our hard-working local fishermen because their success is vital to the success of Pillar Point Harbor. Imagine the joy of riding your bike to the harbor and leaving with a basket full of fresh ingredients for dinner. Elizabeth Knier recently opened the Princeton Pantry, a market offering coffee drinks, chocolate and Champagne as well as a sport fishing business, where visitors can book fishing trips, charter boat rides and whale watching tours.
It's time the Harbor District joined the 21st century. If we invite local residents and businesses to participate in a planning process, we're sure to get more ideas. Then maybe we can provide facilities and services appropriate to community needs.
