Activities & Achievements

2023 In Brief:

In 2023, the R/V Pilar accomplished significant milestones, starting with tagging and releasing 22 striped marlin in San Jose Del Cabo to aid research on their migration and spawning patterns. Throughout the year, the crew removed over 100 mylar balloons from the ocean, advocating against their use due to their long decomposition time. Utilizing social media effectively, they raised awareness about ocean pollution, leading to potential collaborations with organizations like Surfrider San Diego and others. Their social media efforts resulted in over 3.3 million views and more than 2,000 new followers, fostering connections with various non-profits and local groups. They also improved their website to serve as an educational resource on sustainable fishing, ocean issues, and related topics. The year concluded with participation in Bisbee's tournament in Mexico, where they initiated a mission to encourage fishermen to donate extra fish to homeless and needy families. Overall, 2023 was a productive year for R/V Pilar, setting the stage for continued efforts in 2024.

OCEAN CONSERVATION

   Promoting Access & Sustainability

  • CCA California Partnership 

  • HUBS Seabass Partnership 

  • Social Media EDU 30X30  Video - 2,228 views

  • Blog Article Educating about buying fish from business that support ethical fishing practices. Educating about bycatch as well as fishing methods that are unsustainable.

       Fish Tagging

  • Tagged and released 28 marlin in 2023. Spaghetti Tags that will help researchers and fisheries managers know migration & spooning locations. 

  • Social media & blog Educating about why we tag marlin and why it’s important.

 Educational

  • Wildlife Appreciation & Education about respecting the fish/resourse.

  • How to fish sustainably 

  • How to buy seafood sustainably

  • New fishing laws

  • Ocean access  political issues 

OCEAN RESEARCH

      Providing Platform

  • Making connections with graduate students for research projects.

  • Seabass Stock, HUBS, we have planned to deliver brude stock seabass to Catalina Island in the spring 2024.

  •  Working with Walter Monk Foundation for the Oceans to bring kids on to the R/V Pilar and learn about working on the water and all the alternative job opoutunites that are available as careers.

  • CCA Fisheries Management & political issues collaberation.


OCEAN CLEAN-UP

  • Removal of ocean trash & mylar balloons

  • Participated in beach cleanups

  • Educate youth/public to ongoing ocean trash and plastic issues

  • Inform on better products & ways you can minimize your plastic use