United Anglers of Southern California

UNITED ANGLERS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NAMES FOUR NEW MEMBERS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

New UASC Leaders Reflect Diverse Backgrounds, Years of Angling and Conservation Experience

January 8, 2010 — United Anglers of Southern California (UASC) announced today that four new representatives have joined the non-profit fishing/conservation organization’s board of directors.  The announcement was made by UASC President Steven Fukuto.

“We are very pleased to have Will Ebersman, John Gaebel, Ben Hamilton and Steve Lee joining our esteemed board of directors,” said Fukuto.  “Each of these gentlemen brings a unique combination of angling and life experience that will benefit our organization and all Southern California recreational fisherman.  I’m looking forward to their input and strong leadership as we move into a very critical time for recreational anglers,” added Fukuto.

A NEW UASC FUNDRAISING EFFORT WORTH BRAGGIN’ ABOUT

Brag Boards Let You Commemorate Your Favorite Catch While Raising Much-Needed Funds for United Anglers of Southern California

Oxnard, California-based Brag Boards hasn’t only come up with one of the most innovative gifts for anglers in a long time, the company discovered an innovative way to help raise much needed funds for United Anglers of Southern California.  These funds are critical to support UASC’s ongoing efforts on many fronts, such as working to protect recreational fishing access, enhancing habitat and fish stocks, fighting destructive commercial fishing practices, taking kids and families fishing and more.

Brag Boards are a great way for anglers to commemorate and enjoy their favorite catch — that slug seabass, trophy trout or maybe a youngster’s first fish.  They take any digital image of 500kb or more, then create a personalized artwork printed right onto high-quality planked wood that is hand distressed for a rustic, “weathered” look.   Anglers can choose their own border design and personalized copy, for a one-of-a-kind artwork ready to grace the wall of any den, office, or mountain cabin.   Premium quality UV-resistant inks ensure that Brag Boards will immortalize your catch for posterity.

Brag Boards does not sell direct to consumers, however, through a special arrangement, members, supporters and friends of UASC can purchase one of these great pieces of artwork directly through the company’s website (www.bragboards.net).  All that’s required is to enter the special Dealer Code (#11700) set up exclusively for UASC.   Here’s the best part, each time an angler purchases a Brag Board using this code, the company will donate a substantial portion of the sale to benefit United Anglers of Southern California.

“This is a classic ‘win-win’ situation for UASC members, supporters and all anglers,” said UASC President Steven Fukuto.  “They can order a special customized gift for themselves, a friend or a member of the family — and help support fishing in Southern California at the same time.  I want to personally thank Bob Kotula of Outwest Marketing and the folks at Brag Board for coming forward with this great fundraising idea.”

So go to www.bragboards.net, use the UASC Dealer Code #11700, order a Brag Board and help support United Anglers of Southern California.  If you have any questions about the product or how this fundraising effort works, contact Bob Kotula via email at bob@outwestmktg.net.

UNITED ANGLERS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT WITH BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE SOUTH COAST PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

UASC Joins Fishing and Boating Community in Denouncing Decision to Restrict Public Access and Damage State Economy

Anglers Urged to Maintain Push for Proposal 2  at December 9 Fish and Game Commission Meeting

Los Angeles, CA (November 10, 2009) — “This is a dark day for California’s recreational anglers,” is how United Anglers of Southern California (UASC) President Steve Fukuto summed up his feelings when the governor-appointed Blue Ribbon Task Force voted unanimously to send its own Integrated Preferred Alternative (IPA) proposal for marine protected areas to the California Fish and Game Commission.  Under California’s Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), the task force’s recommendation would, if approved, close vast areas of the South Coast to public access, ignoring the impact the decision will have on the state’s economy and budget. 

“The Malibu, Orange County and San Diego County fishing communities will be hit particularly hard by the BRTF’s recommendations.  This is a shame, because there was a better choice that would have provided the necessary conservation while minimizing these impacts,” added Fukuto.  United Anglers of Southern California, along with the recreational fishing and boating community, supported Proposal 2, a proposal drafted in part by recreational and commercial fishermen.  This proposal provided significant additional conservation for California’s ocean resources while minimizing the economic and cultural impact of lost fishing opportunity.    Similar reaction was also expressed in a news release issued today by the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO), a Washington, DC-based coalition of boating and fishing industry organizations and recreational enthusiast groups that UASC belongs to and supports.
 
“Recreational fishermen strongly believe in conservation of ocean resources and are the first to step forward when conservation action is required,” said Fukuto.  “It is also clear that the Blue Ribbon Task Force did not recognize that anglers provide approximately $70 million each year to California for marine fisheries management and countless hours of volunteer time to support fisheries.  I feel the BRTF did not go far enough to balance conservation with socioeconomic concerns or recreational access to the fishery resources.  I still believe the Workgroup 2 Map, taken in its entirety, is the correct choice for the South Coast region and I urge anglers to continue to bring this message to the Fish & Game Commission at the December 9 meeting in Los Angeles.”
 
One example of the recreational angling community’s conservation ethic in action is Southern California’s landmark white seabass hatchery program.  This program has raised and released more than 1.5 million juvenile white seabass between Santa Barbara and San Diego—largely through the volunteer efforts of local fishing clubs.   Together with the banning of destructive coastal gillnets in the early 1990s (another effort spearheaded by recreational anglers), this has lead to a robust fishery for this popular gamefish.  “No other user group even comes close to this level of investment — certainly not the people who support closing our state waters to California residents,” said Fukuto.

For more information and updates on future meetings and MLPA-related activities, contact UASC headquarters at (562) 494-9900 or visit www.unitedanglers.com.

Contact:    Bob Brown, Media Direction, 714-524-1755
        Patty Doerr, American Sportfishing Association, 703-888-7796
        
Recreational Fishing and Boating Community Denounces South Coast Decision

Los Angeles, CA – November 10, 2009 – The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO), which represents recreational fishing and boating interests in California, today denounced a decision that could have a devastating effect on California’s economy and the public’s right to access the state’s coastal waters.

Under the California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), California’s South Coast Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF), appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, today voted to send its own preferred alternative proposal to the state’s Fish and Game Commission (FGC) that will close vast areas of the South Coast to public access, ignoring the impact this decision will have on the state’s economy and budget. Particularly hard hit will be the Malibu, Orange County and San Diego County fishing communities. The recreational fishing and boating community supported Proposal 2, a proposal drafted in part by recreational and commercial fishermen and that provided significant additional conservation for California’s ocean resources while minimizing the economic impact of lost fishing opportunity.

“By making this decision, the BRTF passed over the three proposals it earlier voted to send to the Fish and Game Commission that were created by 64 stakeholders who worked 14 months to create these three proposals under an ever changing set of guidelines,” said Bob Fletcher, former president, Sportfishing Association of California, a regional stakeholder group member and PSO member. “Proposal 2 has a high conservation value that is relatively the same as other proposals but would have the least economic impact on southern California, particularly San Diego where fishing and boating is an integral component of the local economy. The BRTF choose to ignore Proposal 2 in favor of its own version.”

“Recreational fishermen are the first and best ocean stewards who strongly believe in conserving ocean resources and will be the first to step forward when conservation action is required,” said Patty Doerr, Director of Ocean Resource Policy for the American Sportfishing Association and PSO member. “In a sound public policy process, the conservation effort must also be balanced with responsibly regulated fishing, economic considerations and access to the fishery resource. The BRTF, in creating its own alternative, failed to meet these basic objectives.”

The South Coast BRTF met October 20-22, 2009, to review three marine protected area (MPA) proposals, including Proposal 2, to be forwarded to the FGC for consideration during its December meeting in Los Angeles. At that meeting, the BRTF voted to advance all three proposals to the FGC. The BRTF met again on November 10 to finalize the development of an integrated preferred alternative that would include elements from the other three proposals. Proposal 2 is one of the original three proposals forwarded to the FGC. Proposal 2 placed MPAs in locations with a high level of conservation while minimizing the economic impact on local communities and allowing recreational anglers maximum access to fishing.

“The action of the BRTF flies in the face California residents’ ability to access our state’s coastal waters and prime fishing grounds,” said Paul Lebowitz, director, Kayak Fishing Association of California, regional stakeholder group member and PSO member. “In four surveys conducted during the last two years by Research Analytics & Strategy, Californians have clearly demonstrated they strongly support maintaining recreational fishing as an activity to be enjoyed by everyone. From a Field Research poll in mid-2007 to a recent poll of Laguna Beach residents, California’s have repeatedly said they support recreational fishing, want it to continue, and favor recreational fishing over marine reserves.”

“This is a dark day for California’s recreational anglers”, said Steve Fukuto, president, United Anglers of Southern California and PSO member. “Most disappointing is the fact that anglers provide approximately $70 million each year to California for marine fisheries management and countless hours of volunteer time to support fisheries in the state. For example, United Anglers of Southern California were instrumental in creating the white sea bass hatchery program. No other user group even comes close to this level of investment – certainly not the people who support closing our state waters to California’s residents.”

As this BRTF creation moves to the FGC, the PSO will continue to support Proposal 2. Fletcher further said, “It is simply the most balanced alternative and represents the least negative economic and social impact. It chooses the heritage of recreational fishing in Southern California over symbolic gestures that are not necessary for the protection of our ocean resources. As a community, our goal from the very beginning has been to maximize the conservation of our oceans with the least impact on the economy. Proposal 2 does just that.”

The PSO encourages recreational anglers and boaters to attend the December 9, 2009 FGC meeting in Los Angeles where the BRTF will present its preferred alternative to the FGC. Lebowitz said, “Anglers should attend and voice their support for Proposal 2 and against the preferred alternative.”

The PSO includes the American Sportfishing Association, Berkley Conservation Institute, Coastside Fishing Club, Contributing Members of the Avalon Tuna Club, International Game Fish Association, Kayak Fishing Association of California, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Nor-Cal Kayak Anglers, Shimano Sport Fisheries Initiative, Southern California Marine Association, the Sportfishing Association of California, United Anglers of Southern California and the Watermen’s Alliance.

UASC ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER HONORS BEVERLY RAY PARKHURST

October 25 Event at Balboa Bay Club Was a Night of Recognition, Including Presentation of First Paul Simon Club Conservation Award to Inland Saltwater Angling Club

About 180 recreational anglers and members of the sportfishing industry turned out on a wonderful fall evening at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, California to support fishing and recognize those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty during what has been a very active year for United Anglers of Southern California (UASC).    While this was UASC’s 18th Annual Fundraising Awards Dinner, it marked the 20th Anniversary for the leading non-profit conservation organization representing fishermen across Southern California.

The event was highlighted by the presentation of the 2009 Bill Ray Memorial Award — UASC’s highest conservation honor — to Beverly Ray Parkhurst, in recognition of an extremely generous grant her foundation provided to support the organization’s many important activities and programs.   The list of those who have received this honor reads like a “who’s who” of conservation and fishing luminaries, including Bart Hall, Peggie Shedd, Bill Beebe, Russ Izor, Senator Dede Alpert, Milt Shedd, and its namesake Bill Ray, late husband of Beverly Ray Parkhurst and co-founder of UASC.    The award was accepted on Beverly’s behalf by Dave Wooten of the Balboa Bay Club, which Beverly and Bill Ray founded.  Ever the gracious lady, Parkhurst used the opportunity to shine the spotlight back on UASC’s many accomplishments, presenting UASC President Steve Fukuto with one of her late husband’s favorite pieces of fishing-related artwork.

The evening was filled with awards and recognition, including the introduction of Paul Simon of Marina Del Rey Anglers to present the first annual fishing club award named in his honor.   Simon, who has been a driving force behind Marina Del Rey Anglers involvement in Southern California’s successful white seabass growout program, humbly accepted this much deserved recognition and presented the Paul Simon Club Conservation Award trophy to Dave Kush, representing the Inland Salt Water Angling Club.  This award was established by UASC to honor one Southern California fishing club for its commitment to conservation and support for recreational fishing throughout the year.    This year, Inland Salt Water Angling Club was that club; recognized by robust applause from the crowd of appreciative fishermen.


“Everybody in our organization has been working tirelessly on a wide variety of issues, especially implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) in Southern California,” said Fukuto.    “It is rejuvenating for UASC and the sportfishing community as a whole to be able to step back, take a deep breath and remember what is most important to all of us — fishing.   We can’t forget the reason why we go to all these meeting and work so hard during the year.   We also can’t forget the effort and dedication of our staff and volunteers, who are really the driving force behind UASC.   Each year, I look forward to this opportunity to thank and honor the many people who play a part in making our organization successful,” he added.

Adding to the importance of this occasion was the fact that Gordon Robertson and Patty Doerr of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) took time out from their busy schedules and traveled all the way from our nation’s capitol to attend.   Robertson encouraged anglers to keep up the hard work for recreational fishing access and to stay engaged in the MLPA implementation process, as there is still much to be done.

The 2009 dinner marked this event’s much anticipated return to the Balboa Bay Club, where guests were treated to a gourmet meal in luxurious surroundings on the waterfront in Newport Beach.   Following tradition, the evening featured a wide variety of valuable door prizes, live and silent auction items and raffle prizes to add excitement and help raise much-needed funds that support the ongoing efforts of UASC throughout the year.

For more information about the ongoing activities of United Anglers of Southern California, call the main office at (562) 494-9900 or visit online at www.unitedanglers.com.