United Anglers MLPA
Please review the video as soon as possible and share it with an angling friend. This video was made possible by the generosity of Kenneth A. Lester Family Foundation, a special message from Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach Brian Shaw, and most importantly, the inspiration and hard work of Tom Raftican. Although Tom is no longer UASC President, the message in this video is even more critical now than the day it was recorded - every recreational fisherman needs to get engaged and stay involved in the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) implementation process. We have the chance to shape the future of ocean fishing in Southern California, but we must act now.
We can never thank Tom enough for his 12 years of service to UASC, his respect for our marine resources and his passion for family creational fishing. Under his direction, UASC has succeeded in removing gillnets from out coastal waters, building and enhancing artificial reefs, halting destructive bottom trawling in state waters, releasing more than 1.5 million white seabass off out coast, and much more. We're committed to carrying Tom's work on behalf of all fishermen.
United Anglers of Southern California
Dear United Anglers of Southern California Members:
As you may now be aware, Tom Raftican recently left his position as president of United Anglers of Southern California. During his 12-year tenure as head of our organization, Tom worked tirelessly on many important issues and programs to benefit marine resources and recreational fishermen alike. Too numerous to list, they include working to remove destructive gill nets from our coastal waters, fighting to stop bottom trawling off our coast, building and enhancing artificial reefs and putting more than 1.5 million juvenile white seabass back into the ocean.
These achievements - and many more - represent Tom's legacy. They should inspire pride in every Southern California fisherman and UASC member. While this turn of events is in no doubt disheartening, I am buoyed by what we have accomplished together and encouraged by the potential for even better things in the future.
Towards that end, I want to assure every UASC member that we are moving forward with a positive attitude and a solid sense of direction. The issues facing Southern California ocean resources and recreational fishing access - of which Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) implementation is just one - will continue to be addressed vigorously and effectively by our organization.
Your UASC leaders have stepped up to tackle these issues head-on. Our board of directors is dedicated to strengthening our organization and reaching out to partners who share our common goal of conservation in balance with recreational fishing access. As interim UASC President,
I pledge to continue the work at hand and set an aggressive agenda for the coming months. This includes an immediate and active search for a new president to lead our organization.
We will do our best to keep you informed of our progress. Expect to see additional communication through our newsletter and via email, as well as on our website.
I would like to personally thank our members for their continued support and understanding during this challenging time. I'm confident that by working together, we can look forward to great things - and great fishing - in the future.
Sincerely,
Dave Elm
Chairman, Board of Directors
Acting President, UASC
Tom Raftican Seeks to Unify Sportfishing Community,
Tom Raftican Seeks to Unify Sportfishing Community,
Resigns as President of United Anglers of Southern California
Irvine, California -- On October 27, 2008, at a meeting of the Board of Directors for United Anglers of Southern California, Tom Raftican - in an effort to unite the sportfishing community - graciously resigned as president of the organization.
The announcement was made by Dave Elm, chairman of the board of UASC.
"The Board of Directors on behalf of California anglers thank Tom for all his hard work on sportfishing issues during his tenure as president of United Anglers of Southern California," said Elm. "Tom's work and achievements during his 12 years as president of UASC included the elimination of pelagic longlines from California state waters, spearheading the Bolsa Chica and Bird Island artificial reefs, efforts to remove destructive bottom trawls from California state waters, and helping to plant more than a million juvenile white seabass in Southern California ocean waters."
With Raftican's departure, the UASC Board of Directors is interviewing candidates to serve as president and help lead the 40,000-member organization as it continues its work on behalf of California anglers. This includes protecting access for recreational fishing, supporting white seabass restoration, removing destructive commercial fishing gear from California ocean waters, improving habitat through Rigs to Reefs and other programs, and working with youngsters to help create a new generation of anglers.
Elm will serve as interim UASC president while the Board of Directors undertakes its candidate review. Elm, an avid Southern California angler, has worked in the sportfishing industry for many years and is currently production manager for Irvine-based Aftco Manufacturing, Inc.
The Board of Directors of UASC is also committed to uniting the sportfishing community to create the best possible outcome for recreational fishing in the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) implementation process and other fishery resource issues.
United Anglers of Southern California is a volunteer driven, non-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement of fishery resources through management, conservation and education in order to pass the sport of fishing onto future generations.
UASC EMAIL UPDATE on the Southern California MLPA Initiative
Blue Ribbon Task Force and New Task Force Chair Announced: the South Coast Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) along with a new Chair for the Region of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) have just been announced. Returning BRTF member Don Benninghoven has been selected to chair the Southern Region and will serve along with returning members Susan Golding, Meg Caldwell, Bill Anderson, and Cathy Reheis-Boyd. Joining the returning team on the BRTF will be new member Greg Schem who many of you may know as being an active boater and fisherman out of Marina del Rey. Returning to the BRTF after skipping the North Central process is Dr. Jane Pisano who is director and President of the LA County Natural History Museum.
"In conversations with newly appointed South Coast BRTF chair Don Benninghoven, a fellow Santa Barbaran, I was assured of a level playing field and that the voices of recreational fishermen along with other stakeholders all would be recognized. Don expressed his commitment to achieving a successful outcome much like in the North Central region," said Tom Raftican.
Additionally, Resource Secretary Mike Chrisman is thoroughly committed to a successful implementation of the MLPA predicated on a balanced approach in which all stakeholders share the benefits of access to a vibrant healthy ocean.
The first meeting of the new BRTF will be September 8 in San Diego at the Four Points Sheraton located at 8110 Aero Drive.
Please forward this message to anyone you know that may be interest in the MLPA and like to get involve with the process.
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MEETINGS AND MORE MEETINGS
The Monthly United Anglers of Southern California MLPA Update - Regional Stakeholder Group Nominations
- MLPA 101 Meetings
- Local Meetings at Tackle Stores and Clubs
RSG Nominations UASC invites you to email letters of support for UASC's nominations to the Regional Stakeholder Group (RSG). This is the primary group which will draw the lines on the maps to create the marine protected areas in the south coast region. Our letters of nomination and support can be found at IMPORTANT MLPA INFORMATION page on our website http://www.unitedanglers.com/ The team consists of our own Bob Osborn, Paul Lebowitz from Kayak Fishing Association of California, Wendy Tochihara of Izorline, and Dick Schaffer of Purfield's Tackle. Bob attended all the meetings in the north central region to learn the ins and outs of the process. Bob understands what can and cannot be done within the process and he knows fishing in Southern California so we expect him to lead the team. The other three are well known fishermen in the Southern California bight in their own right. They will also depend on other recreational fishing appointees. There are several names we've heard and they are all good people. Nominations are due on July 18 with support letters encouraged to be in at the same time, although later submissions will be considered. Send your support letters to: MLPAComments@resources.ca.gov. The letters can be very brief, simply that you support these people for the RSG and that you are a recreational fisherman. Include where you fish (Santa Barbara, San Diego, or list all the places), what type of fishing you do, and your fishing affiliations. A thanks for mentioning United Anglers of Southern California. MLPA 101 The Marine Life Protection Act Initiative (MLPAI) held six orientation meetings along the coast. Starting in Santa Barbara, then Oxnard and Santa Monica before the Fourth of July and finishing with Huntington Beach, Carlsbad and San Diego last week, the entire UASC staff attended at least one of these sessions to have a chance to talk with fishermen, scientists, and the Initiative staff. Beth Lafferty led the team with 5 meetings, Tom Raftican with 4, then Bob Osborn, Dan Fink and April Wakeman with 2 each. Lenny Vu, Jenny Armstrong (with Jack and Ellie), and Ron Kline made one meeting. Board members Nancy Christiano, Bob Clarke, Tony Infante, and Dick Schaffer also attended. The mood from fishermen was generally positive with attendees agreeing that working within the process will improve the outcome for recreational anglers. UASC Begins MLPA Classes - Coming to a Store or Club Near You! UASC is getting ready to kick off an aggressive outreach campaign to share information about the MLPA. The purpose is to both inform anglers about what is happening AND to take angler's attitudes and ideas back to the process. "They seem to be serious when they say they want to hear from our members," Tom Raftican observed. "We hope to bring our team to tackle stores and continue our club visits so our team can talk with anyone who is interested." If your favorite tackle store doesn't have a meeting scheduled, let us know and we'll set one up. Stay Informed: To stay on top of the MLPA visit our website at http://www.unitedanglers.com/.
An even easier way is to schedule Jenny Armstrong to visit you club and give you a 5 minute update. Jenny can be reached at Jenny@unitedanglers.com or calling the office at (949) 863-9447.
Please forward this message to anyone you know that may be interest in the MLPA and like to get involve with the process.
