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The Log • October 10 - 23, 2014 • 35 S20 named to Blue Ribbon panel for sustainable fishing


Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources will feature at least 27 members, 20 of whom were announced Sept. 22 at the AFWA meeting.


The additional panelists and four ex-officio members will be added to the roster before the panel’s first meeting in 2015.


By Parimal M. Rohit


ST. LOUIS — The CEO of a fishing store chain and the former governor of a state home to refuges and nation- al parks announced the roster of a Blue Ribbon Panel for sustainable fishing at the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) annual meeting in St. Louis. Founded and co-chaired by Bass


Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris and former Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal, the National Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s


The mission of the panel is to rec- ommend policy options for funding sustainability models. “Dedicated funding allowing for the management of all fish and wildlife, whether game or non-game species, is essential for this nation,” Missouri Department of Conservation Director and panelist Bob Ziehmer said. “Many species are declining in abundance and will continue to do so if we don’t work toward establishing a sustainable funding source for our nation now and into the future.” According to AFWA, the 20 people announced to the panel’s roster hail from manufacturers, outdoor recre- ational retail companies, energy, the automotive industry, educational institutions, conservation organiza- tions, fish and wildlife agencies and sportsmen’s groups. In seeking a model to fund sustain-


able programs, the Blue Ribbon Panel aims to prevent “new endangered species listings” but still preserve out-


State looking into banning lead-based fishing weights


By Parimal M. Rohit


Recreational anglers could soon be on the hook for possessing what might become defined as chemically hazardous fishing equipment, as state officials are looking into regulating or banning the use of lead products in the state’s waterways. Any possible regulation of lead


products found in fishing weights and gear would be based on a report pub- lished as part of the Safer Consumer Products Program. Specifically, the program’s Draft Priority Product Work Plan aims to incorporate certain regu- lations “designed to encourage market shifts toward a green economy.” According to Meredith Williams of


the California Department of Toxic Control Substances, the published Draft Priority Product Work Plan is a starting point and whether any poli- cies or regulations result from it remains to be seen. Still, the draft work plan claims some fishing and angling equipment contains environmentally harmful chemicals that could potentially harm birds and other wildlife. “Of particular concern are prod- ucts such as fishing weights and sinkers made from lead that are used


to add weight to a fishing line, lure or hook,” the draft work plan stated. “Lead poisoning associated with the ingestion of lead fishing weights has been well documented in a variety of bird and animal species around the world.”


The draft work plan claims anglers potentially lose “hundreds of tons of fishing and angling equipment into the environment” that contain haz- ardous chemicals such as lead, zinc and copper and threaten wildlife. Opposing any bans or restrictive policies on fishing equipment is the California Sportsfishing League. The Priority Product Work Plan is


part of the state’s Green Chemistry Initiative, which launched in 2007 and, according to the draft work plan, aims “to reduce public and environ- mental exposure to toxic chemicals” and, through the Safer Consumer Products program, make policy rec- ommendations to “accelerate the quest for safer products.” Public workshops on the Priority


Product Work Plan were held in Sacramento and Cypress in September.


The public comment period for the


Priority Product Work Plan is open through Oct. 13.


door recreational lifestyles. “Conservation means balancing the sustainability of fish and wildlife with the many needs of humans for clean air and water; land; food and fiber; dependable energy; economic development and recreation,” Morris said. “By assembling this panel … we will find a way forward that safe- guards not only vital natural resources, but also our nation’s eco- nomic prosperity and outdoor her-


itage.” According to AFWA, funding for


the State and Tribal Grants Program, the only federal mechanism to pre- vent new endangered species listing, was cut by more than 35 percent since 2010 compared to a 1,000 percent increase in petitions for endangered species listings. More about the panel can be found online at fishwildlife.org/blueribbon- panel.


FishRap Calendar of Events


Oct. 11 • Memorial Tournament, San Diego. Held at Lake El Capitan, the bass fishing tour- nament is part of the Jeffry Ingram and Russell Mendez Memorial Fundraiser. The team tournament allows two people per boat. Participation is limited to the first 80 boats. Only largemouth bass are permitted; the tour- nament limit is three bass per team. Coffee and donuts are provided at signups, as well as a catered barbeque at the awards ceremony. The Grand Prize is a Taylor Guitar. Signups begin at 5 a.m.; blast off is at 6:30 a.m. and weigh-in begins at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $50, with half of it going toward the prize money and the other half toward the memorial fund. Teams must pay for their own permit and launch fees. For more information, call (619) 447-0244 or (619) 938-0020.


Oct. 11 • Santa Barbara Harbor and Seafood Festival, Santa Barbara. Commemorating the start of lobster season, the 13th annual Harbor and Seafood Festival is described as “Santa Barbara’s signature Autumn event.” The event features live enter- tainment, family-oriented activities, and a chance to enjoy fresh lobster, crabs, prawns, and other locally-caught seafood. Admission to the event is free. The festival is organized by the city, Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Harbor Merchants’ Association, and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. For more festival information, con- tact the Harbormaster at (805) 897-1961 or visit harborfestival.org. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 132 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara 93109.


Oct. 11-12 • Fifth annual San Diego Dragon Boat Race, San Diego. Taking over San Diego’s Mission Bay, the Fifth annual Dragon Boat Festival features teams of 16 paddlers com- peting against each other in a round robin tournament. A team might compete in any- where between one and six races. The top three teams earn prizes. No experience is required and all participants are novice. The event is organized by the San Diego Alliance for Asian Pacific Islander Americans and San Diego Dragon Boat team. Free entry; visit sddragonboatrace.com.


Oct. 11-12 • Throwback Weekend at Irvine Lake, Silverado. A two-man team tournament in Silverado Canyon. Fees: $19 adult admis- sion, $35 motorboat, $20 buy-in. Any one plac- ing in the top 10 earns a cash prize. The tour- nament starts daily at 6 a.m. and continues through midnight. On-site camping is avail- able. For more details, call (714) 649-9111, ext. 1 or visit irvinelake.net. Irvine Lake is located at 4621 Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado, California 92676.


Oct. 12 • Sustainable Seafood Expo, San Pedro. Held at Crafted from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the festival features cooking demonstrations, information booths, and seafood sampling.


Cooking demonstrations will be featured by “Godfather of Poke” Sam Choy, Terranea Resort executive chef Bernard Ibarra, and J. Trani’s executive chef Dustin Trani. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $5 for children 12 and other. For more information, visit cabrillo- marineaquarium.org or call (310) 548-7562.


Oct. 17-19 • Los Cabos Offshore Tournament, Los Cabos, Mexico. A two-day fishing competition, the Los Cabos Offshore Tournament is just ahead of one of the biggest competitive fishing events in Baja California (see below). Taking place near Puerto Paraiso Mall, the Los Cabos Offshore Tournament features competitive fishing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 18 and 19, followed an awards celebration on the beach at Baja Cantina Beach Club. Visit bisbees.com.


Oct. 21-25 • Black and Blue Marlin Tournament, Los Cabos, Mexico. Organized by the group as the Los Cabos Offshore Tournament, the Black and Blue Marlin Tournament has been called “The Big Show” in some circles. More than 100 boats partici- pate in this competition, which features mil- lions of dollars in prizes. It is the world’s rich- est fishing event, awarding more than $60 million in prize money. Visit bisbees.com.


Nov. 18-21 • Los Cabos Charter Boat Classic, Los Cabos, Mexico. Known for partici- pants reeling in world record-sized tuna, wahoo, dorado and marlin, the Los Cabos Big Charter Boat Classic is a highly unique tourna- ment. Entry is free to anyone fishing on a Los Cabos Charter boat. Total cash prizes are guar- anteed at $40,000. Anglers can enter to fish any or all of the fishing days with $10,000 up for grabs each day. Participants must register by Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. For more details, call (407) 628-4802, or visit loscaboscharterboatclassic.com.


Now through Dec. 27 • Shore Fishing at Dockweiler State Beach, Playa del Rey. Held every Saturday through Dec. 28, the Department of Beaches and Harbor hosts a free shore fishing class. Each class is limited to 10 participants. Pre-registration is required. Anyone age 12 or younger must be accompa- nied by an adult. Those ages 16 and older must present a valid California fishing license (which can be obtained online at dfg.ca.gov or locally from Marina del Rey Sportsfishing, 13759 Fiji Way or West Marina at 13555 Fiji Way, both in Marina del Rey). To pre-register, call (310) 726-4128. Parking is $2.


Do you have an event you’d like publicized in FishRap’s Calendar of Events? Email event details at least one month in advance to ambrosia@thelog.com, or send a fax to Ambrosia Brody at (949) 660-6150.


Check out the online Event Calendar at thelog.com.


photo courtesty of AFWA


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