Community Corner
A Sea Forager Visits Pacifica
Kirk Lombard leads a group on the hunt for monkeyface eels at Pacifica's Rockaway Beach.
Kirk Lombard worked in the California Fish and Game Department for seven years before he was laid off. The job loss didn't stop this avid commercial fisherman and sea foraging hobbyist from exploring open water, however.
In January of this year, Lombard started a series of self-guided sea foraging tours which involved taking groups of beginner and experienced fishing enthusiasts to locations on the Bay Area coastline in search of wild sea fare.
The term foraging refers to harvesting naturally occurring or "wild" food sources, such as the abundant sea life found on the California coast.
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In less than a year operating as the "Sea Forager of San Francisco," Lombard has become almost-famous--garnering a "Best of" award from SF Weekly as San Francisco's best walking tour.
Until now, Lombard's tours were mostly offered in the San Francisco area. This week however, Lombard led a group (poke poles in-hand) on a fishing expedition for Monkeyface Eel at the tidepools of .
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Lombard's foraged eels (among other great catches) have been featured on the local, sustainable menus of restaurants including Chez Panisse and Sausalito-based Fish Restaurant.
Pacifica Patch caught up with the sea forager himself. Here's what he had to say:
Pacifica Patch: What sparked the idea for a sea foraging tour?
Lombard: "Foraging Along the California Coast" (by Peter Howorth) is one of my favorite books. That inspired me. Also, foraging is sort of a hot thing right now, so there was an interest (in the tour). I like educating the public about fishing issues, like sustainability.
Pacifica Patch: Have you always been a sea forager of sorts?
Lombard: I've always been a very avid fisherman. I worked for Fish and Game for seven years, and also as a commercial fisherman. Over the years I built up a knowledge base.
Pacifica Patch: So what are you looking for when you're out fishing?
Lombard: I fish for salmon and white sea bass recreationally. I do a clamming tour in Prineton Harbor.
Pacifica Patch: Have you been out fishing and foraging in Pacifica before this Rockaway Beach tour?
Lombard: I spend a lot of time fishing in Pacifica and Half Moon Bay recreationally--like at Mori Point. Rockaway is really my spot, though. If I'm in a boat or kayak at Linda Mar, I'm going for rock fish or halibut.
Pacifica Patch: Do the seasons dictate what you're fishing for?
Lombard: Definitely. Monkeyface Eels, though, are available year round. Winter tours might focus on herring, for example.
Pacifica Patch: Last words?
Lombard: I think the thing that people are actually getting from my tour is that its entertaining and fun.
Check out the photos in the gallery for more eel hunting at Rockaway Beach.
To find out how you can join Lombard on one of his tours, head to his website.
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