On May 6, the Harbor Commission approved designating the public accessway overlooking Pillar Point Harbor as the Katherine F. Middleton Promenade, to recognize her untiring efforts during the 1940s and 1950s to get a breakwater built at Pillar Point for a harbor of refuge to protect the fishing fleet. A street sign will be erected on the promenade, which will have an historical information plaque.
Katherine F. Middleton, known throughout San Mateo County unofficially as the “mayor of Princeton”, campaigned vigorously for construction of the Pillar Point Breakwater. As noted by the local press at the time of her death in 1957 at the age of 96: “No opportunity was overlooked by Mrs. Middleton to point out the benefits which would accrue by the construction of this breakwater and the creation of a harbor.” During her many civic activities and attendance at county government meetings, Mrs. Middleton’s message was: “Build Pillar Point Breakwater and this Coast will grow beyond anyone’s imagination”, according to the Half Moon Bay Review. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers eventually began construction of the breakwater in 1959 to create a Harbor of Refuge for the fishing fleet and other vessels. Construction was completed in 1961, but additional protection was added in 1967. The inner breakwaters, pier, and docks were completed during the 1980s.
On March 27, longtime Pillar Point Harbor fisherman Duncan MacLean was named "Farmer of the Year" at the annual Farm Day event at Half Moon Bay's I.D.E.S. Hall. MacLean, aside from his regular occupation as a commercial fisherman, has been very active for years as a spokesperson for commercial fishermen and their interests before the Pacific Fisheries Management Council - the federal fishing regulatory body for the west coast - the State Fish and Game Commission, and other bodies including the San Mateo County Harbor District Board. This was the first Farm Day award given to a fisherman, as distinguished from a "land farmer".
The San Mateo County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the County Farm Bureau, which sponsor the "As Fresh As It Gets" program to promote San Mateo County's farm-fresh produce and ocean-fresh seafood, has acknowledged the role and value of Pillar Point Harbor's fishing industry as a contributor to the County's regional food production and economy. Duncan MacLean's "Farmer of the Year" award now directly recognizes one of the Harbor's contributing fishermen.
The Harbor District is preparing to solicit construction bids to widen and improve the sidewalk in front of the commercial building. The widening will enable the lessees to make use of sidewalk area to better serve their customers. The sidewalk itself will be redone, with a boardwalk-like pattern on part and a curving design along the street edge with imbedded features to simulate a beach. The features will reflect several themes relating to fisheries and harbor history.
Harbor Commission Supports Alliance of Communities for
Sustainable Fisheries Service The San Mateo County Harbor
District has adopted a resolution supporting the recently formed Alliance of
Communities For Sustainable Fisheries. The Alliance was formed several
months ago by fishermen from the four harbors that adjoin or lie within the
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Pillar Point, Santa Cruz, Moss Landing,
and Monterey. Representatives from the harbors were actively involved with
the fishermen in getting the organization underway. The group was formed
to provide a more vocal and informed voice in the Sanctuary Management Plan
review process now underway for Monterey, Gulf of the Farallones, and Cordell
Bank Sanctuaries, and in federal and state consideration of establishing
marine reserves in which fishing could be prohibited.
Pillar Point fishermen have organized themselves to actively participate
in the Alliance's activities. These include participating in State Department
of Fish and Game hearings regarding Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) implementation,
Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council meetings, other meetings with staff of
the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), that oversees
the Sanctuary Program, the recent meeting of the port and harbor advocacy
group, the California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference, in Half Moon
Bay, and in developing information and questions for use in the Sanctuary
review and MLPA processes.
One Johnson Pier