Industries:

Marine

THE SCENE

As the gateway to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Santa Cruz is the premier location for interdisciplinary research and teaching on marine life, coastal conservation, water science, climate-change impacts and other marine and coastal science issues. The sanctuary contains our nation's largest kelp forests and one of North America's largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments, covering an area larger than Yellowstone National Park. Its diverse marine ecosystems harbor an incredible variety of marine life, including 34 species of marine mammals, over 180 species of seabirds and shorebirds, at least 525 species of fishes, and an abundance of invertebrates and algae. Twenty years after its designation as a marine sanctuaries, a new state-of-the art Sanctuary Exploration Center opened highlighting the spectacular marine environment.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration houses its Southwest Fisheries Ecology Division and Environmental Research Divisions at the Long Marine Laboratory campus on Santa Cruz’s far Westside. UCSC's Long Marine Lab is known throughout the marine research community for innovative marine mammal research in diving physiology, physiological ecology, bioacoustics, and cognition. The lab also researches nearshore invertebrate marine biology, ecology, and issues surrounding ocean health. The Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center of the USGS studies the coasts of the western United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. They research, monitor processes, and develop information about coastal and marine geologic hazards, environmental conditions, habitats, and energy and mineral resources.

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The Roots

Our first viable commercial fishing company was created when a narrow-gauge railroad line was built between Santa Cruz and the Southern Pacific station near Watsonville in 1875. A group of Italians, along with some resident Californians began a fresh-fish business at the terminus of the railroad in Santa Cruz. In 1879, 139,000 pounds of fish were shipped from that port.
Back

Our first viable commercial fishing company was created when a narrow-gauge railroad line was built between Santa Cruz and the Southern Pacific station near Watsonville in 1875. A group of Italians, along with some resident Californians began a fresh-fish business at the terminus of the railroad in Santa Cruz. In 1879, 139,000 pounds of fish were shipped from that port.

In 1879, 139,000 pounds of fish were shipped from that port. At the height of the industry, 75 to 100 boats a day unloaded tons of salmon, sea bass, rock cod and sole. Sport fishing has been a top attraction since the turn of the century with entrepreneurs like the Faraola family running a charter service in addition to their commercial fishing business.

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Monterey Bay Marine Research Facilities

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Budget for National Marine Fisheries Service

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Monterey Bay Sanctuary Dive team

Artisanal

Craft is culture in Santa Cruz. You don't have to go far to find a local bakery, charcuterie, brewery, distillery, winery, ice creamery, and meet other fine food producers and connoisseurs who are all dedicated to locally sourced, high-quality products.

Organics

Santa Cruz is at the center of the organic agriculture certification movement and this industry is supported by major institutions.