United Anglers of Southern California

July 14, 2008 - United Anglers of Southern California (UASC) today expressed its congratulations and support for the newly formed Center for Coastal Conservation, a national organization that will be officially launched during a news conference at the 2008 ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) Show in Las Vegas on Thursday,

 July 17. This new nationwide political conservation coalition was formed through the alliance of America's major fishing tackle and boating trade organizations in concert with an array of national sportfishing organizations:  the American Sportfishing Association, the Billfish Foundation, the Coastal Conservation Association, the International Game Fish Association and the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

"Separately, each of these organizations has accomplished great things in promoting the value and enjoyment of family fishing and wise use of our outdoor resources," said Tom Raftican, President of UASC.  "A strong, broad based coalition such as this will be vital in meeting the challenges our nation's anglers and boaters will face in the future.  We trust they will do a great job carrying forward sportfishing's legacy of family values and conservation, and we offer our whole-hearted support," Raftican added.

For additional information on the programs and activities of United Anglers of Southern California, contact organization headquarters at  (949) 863-9447 or visit http://www.unitedanglers.com/

Dear Fishing Clubs,

The MLPA process is getting started with a bang here in Southern California.  As you are aware, the development of plans that set out protected areas is done primarily by the Regional Stakeholder Group or RSG.  Currently the process is accepting nominations for the South Coast Region RSG.  United Anglers of Southern California will support Bob Osborn, our fisheries consultant.  Bob had the highest attendance of anyone in the North Central Region so he understands what happens, why, and how to influence the process.  He has also been fishing along the Southern California bight since the fishing bug bit him back in the 50's.  We will also work with Paul Liebowitz as the Kayak representative and Terry Maas representing free divers.

If there is someone in your club who is interested in participating, please let us know and we can help with his or her nomination.  The results in the North Central Region proved that by being active recreational fishermen can influence the process.

Nominations are also open for the Science Advisory Team.  It is expected that both groups will hold their first meetings in September.

For updates, check our website or call to have Jenny Armstrong talk at your next club meeting.

Tight Lines,

Tom Raftican

The Monthly United Anglers of Southern California MLPA Update
White Sea Bass Pop Wide Open On Both Sides Of Catalina

Also wide open is the MLPA where there have been:

• Meetings with Ecotrust (Economics of Recreational fishing)
• The BRTF Delivers North Central Plans to the Commission
• NorCal Plan Meetings
• MLPA 101 Meetings Scheduled

Ecotrust:

Ecotrust will conduct a survey among recreational anglers on where they fish.   The results will be used to design MPAs with the least impact on recreational fishing.  Ben Sleeter, the brilliant architect of the 2XA Plan in the north central region has emphasized that the Ecotrust data was very important in saving fishing locations while creating MPAs which met the scientific guidelines and rated highest for conservation. 

UASC is urging all private boaters, kayakers, pier and surf fishermen to sign up for this survey at www.ecotrust.com/mlpa, or click the link on our website - http://www.unitedanglers.com/ - for a link to the survey signup. 

Blue Ribbon Task Force Delivers Plans to Fish and Game Commission:

In a surprisingly short (3 ½ hours) meeting on June 11 in Sacramento, Susan Golding, chair of the BRTF presented 5 plans for MPA networks in the north central region to Richard Rogers and the rest of the Fish and Game Commission.  The plans include:

• A no action alternative for comparison
• IPA or Integrated Preferred Alternative put together by the BRTF from parts of the other plans
• Plan 1-3, a combination of plans developed by RSG (regional stakeholder group) members
• Plan 2-XA, a combination of an RSG and an outside developed plan
• Plan 4 attributed mainly to the NRDC

Public Hearings:

Meetings were held in the north central region on the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th to tell the public about the development of the CEQA analysis of each of the plans which is required under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Although the Commission has not issued a timetable, people are guessing that it will hold two special meetings to hear testimony on the north central plans rather than include comment in their normally scheduled meetings.  The "final" decision would be made at the October meeting in Sacramento (which was originally scheduled for Bishop).

MLPA 101 - Middle School on the MLPA

There will be meetings in Southern California to educate the public about the MLPA and the process of implementation.  They are supposed to be very good so if you are interested try and attend. 

The dates and locations are:

July 8           Huntington Beach/HB Harbor View Clubhouse

                   16600 Saybrook Lane,

                   714-536-5486

July 9           Carlsbad/Hilton Garden Inn

                   6450 Carlsbad Boulevard,

                   760-476-0800

July 10         San Diego/Holiday Inn Express Old Town

                   3900 Old Town Boulevard,

                   619-299-7400

 *All workshop times are 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Dear Fellow Angler,

The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) is coming to Southern California. Ecotrust is gathering information on how we fish and what areas need to be left open for fishing. In the North Central region Coastside Fishing Club led this effort and thought the results made the entire process more favorable to fishermen. Please take the time to signup with Ecotrust and complete their online survey. (See below)

Thank you for filling out the UASC brochure and showing us where you fish. We will use this to ground truth the Ecotrust data. We said what you gave use would only be used internally and that is where it will stay.

Please give us a hand. Our fishing future is at stake in the MLPA and as such, deserves our attention and action NOW.

Tight lines,

Tom Raftican

President, United Anglers of Southern California

WHAT TO DO:

- Go to website:

www.ecotrust.org/mlpa

- See right column: Learn More (below Our Work and Field Notes)

- Read about process at Interview Process (recreational)

http://www.ecotrust.org/mlpa/interview_rec.html

- When you are done, make sure Sign up for on line interview (recreational)

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Cg76PlEFTwS6F7jG94HWEQ_3d_3d

Please forward this message to anyone you know that may be interest in the MLPA and like to get involve with the process.

Good Food, Great Prizes and Presentation of
2008 Bill Ray Memorial Award Highlight May 18 Dinner

Hundreds of anglers and members of the sport fishing industry turned out to honor Bart Hall - widely recognized as the "Father of Recreational Fishing" in Southern California - during United Anglers of Southern California's 17th annual fundraising dinner at the Harborside Pavilion in Newport Harbor.

The presentation of the Bill Ray Memorial Award - UASC's highest conservation honor - to Hall was the highlight of a fun evening May 18, one that also included good food, good company and a host of valuable raffle prizes and auction items.

Hall was his typical humble self as he received the award from AFTCO's Bill Shedd (himself a past winner), even when faced with a standing ovation from the crowd of 300.   He credited his father Fred (who started the Fred Hall Fishing Tackle & Boat Shows), the support of his family and his hard-working staff for his business' many years of success in entertaining the public and promoting the value of family togetherness through fishing and the outdoors.  "Thousands upon thousands of Southern Californians were introduced to fishing by the Hall shows - and they still look forward to it as the highlight of each year," said Tom Raftican, President of UASC.  "More importantly, the kid-friendly focus of these shows brings families together and helps introduce new youngsters to the joy of fishing.   I can't tell you how important this is at a time when our nation is becoming less outdoor oriented and fishing access here at home is facing many tough challenges.   We are all very fortunate to have a strong presence like Bart Hall on our side," added Raftican.