Moss Landing Harbor - A Multidemensional Harbor

By Peggy Shirrel Ph.D.

The Moss Landing Harbor District Commission is responsible to all the users of the harbor, the commercial fishing industry, the recreation and sport fishing population, the educational and research areas as well as the industrial and other business related entities.

In order to make those kinds of decisions a commissioner must be aware of legal and funding implications, must know and understand where the sources of that information are, then must act prudently and in a timely manner.

Because the Moss Landing Harbor has many different users, it is important that commissioners come from many different backgrounds and experiences.

My husband was a commercial fisherman as well as a successful businessman and I learned a lot about the fishing and marine business. I had a successful business as a speech pathologist in private practice as well as directing my own Learning Center, and currently run my own business. I have spent time completing workshops, seminars and classes all related to harbor business.

For a number of years I have and still do sit on many boards in this county, all related to water issues and people. All of these boards must follow legal and governmental laws and regulations.

I am now currently serving my third term as harbor commissioner. The harbor has gone through many events, such as the 1989 earthquake and the 1995 floods. Lots of hard decisions had to be made and I believe because of my background and my dedication to keeping the harbor alive and well I was instrumental in the preservation of the harbor as a commercial fishing harbor as well as developing the other areas of sports fishing, recreation, education, research and industry. During my terms berth rates have continued to remain one of the lowest on the California coast and the harbor has developed other sources of income to offset the huge increase in dredging and environmental costs.