I'm Brian Aresco. I've been a commercial lobster fisherman for 17 years. My local port is Ventura Harbor and my fishing grounds are off of Santa Cruz Island. I was born and raised in Carpinteria as a second generation fisherman. I grew up surfing, fishing and exploring the ocean since I was a child. I'm a waterman at heart, a husband and a father of three children.
Oh, and when I am not fishing, I am also an avocado farmer.
My typical day starts with a 4am alarm. Coffee in hand, I load up the boat for 3-day missions - seeking to trap California spiny lobster. I drive my 34 foot boat to the islands where my traps are set. It's 25 miles out to the first trap; I pull the first one up over the rail of the boat at dawn - and repeat through to dusk.
I am mostly out on the ocean - whether it's pulling lobster traps and or fishing for white seabass and halibut. I work in all types of weather. Wind, rain, fog. Big seas. When I'm not on the boat I'm spending my time in the backcountry either riding a horse or just with the family or friends simple camp trips.
The values that matter most to me in how I work and live are clarity, passion, and determination. I want to approach what I do with purpose, do the best job I can, and end the day knowing I gave it everything I had—whether that means a good, honest day of work or taking care of my family.
Capability to me means trusting yourself making everyday decisions so as to be a good human. So whatever I do in life it makes a difference for me, myself and the loved ones I'm surrounded by.
When I am working, the gear I wear needs to be long lasting gear that can really get beat up and still function.
If there's one lesson my work and experience has reinforced again and again, it's this: never give up.
