John Ballotti Appointed to the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee
The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere has appointed John Ballotti to a 4 year term on the 20 member Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee (MPA FAC) to represent the interests and perspectives of recreational anglers. John is a member of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) California Board of Directors and Executive Committee, president of the Los Angeles chapter of CCA California, and a member of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club. He was a member of the South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group during the California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) implementation process.
John received strong support and endorsement from the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), Coastal Conservation Association National, Coastal Conservation Association California, and the Coastside Fishing Club.
MPA FAC advises NOAA (Commerce) and the Department of Interior on ways to strengthen the nation’s system of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). It includes representatives of diverse stakeholder groups, including scientists, academia, commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, divers, state and tribal resource managers, the energy and tourism industries, and environmentalists. John is one of only two in the United States from the recreational community appointed to this committee for the coming term.
Coastal Conservation Association of California is excited about Mr. Ballotti’s appointment and looks forward to having his great wealth of knowledge help expand our conservation efforts and support all of California’s anglers.
Thank you John for your service and good luck!
Last-Minute Lead Tackle Ban Shocks Angling Community
A last-minute decree from the Obama Administration to phase out the use of traditional fishing tackle in waters under the management of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has drawn the ire of the recreational angling community. Filed on the day before President Obama left office, Director’s Order No. 219 will require the use of nontoxic ammunition and fishing tackle to the fullest extent practicable for all activities on Service lands, waters and facilities by January 2022, except as needed for law enforcement or health and safety uses, as provided for in policy.
Coastal Conservation Association is joining partners in the recreational angling, boating and tackle community to call on new leadership at the Service to rescind Order No. 219 and work to develop instead a science-driven policy with input from stakeholders.
“This is clearly not the way to make policy, particularly where the cost of implementing such a policy stands to be significant and the benefits are not clearly defined,” said Bill Bird, chairman of CCA’s National Government Relations Committee. “Banning lead tackle would increase the cost of fishing and reduce funds available for fisheries conservation and habitat restoration. This is a hasty and unnecessary proclamation that must be reversed in order to make a better-informed decision.”
“In the limited instances where lead fishing tackle is demonstrated to harm local wildlife populations, the sportfishing industry supports actions to minimize or eliminate these impacts,” said Scott Gudes, vice president of Government Affairs for the American Sportfishing Association. “However, unnecessary and sweeping bans such as this Director’s Order will do nothing to benefit wildlife populations and instead will penalize the nation’s 46 million anglers and hurt recreational fishing-dependent jobs.”
CCA CAL Urges For More Enforcement Against Poachers
The CCA CAL has recently taken action to urge the Fish and Game Commission to communicate to prosecutors and judges on the vital importance of upholding California’s game and fish laws. Too often in the past, violators of game and fish statues were given a slap on the wrist, which did not deter them from committing multiple future crimes. CCA CAL’s Executive Director, Wayne Kotow said, “We need all levels of government to work together to protect our resources and quit letting poachers off the hook with a hand-slap on the wrist.”
Many individuals have had multiple citations for similar crimes that the system has not given priority.
New laws are in the process of being implemented that will impose minimum and maximum fines greater than normal and jail time, for the illegal taking of trophy deer, elk, antelope, big horn sheep and turkey. Once the details of “trophy status” are worked out, this law will hopefully deter would-be poachers from continuing their illegal activities.
CCA CAL will continue to voice the concerns of law-abiding citizens in order to preserve the resource for the public’s benefit.
The 1st Annual Kayak Battle of the Bays is coming soon.
– Kayak Fishing Tournaments – May 6th and June 10th
- May 6th
– Dana Landing and Fast Lane Kayak Center in Mission Bay, San Diego
– June 10th – King Harbor Yacht Club in Redondo Beach
– Format – “Catch, Photo, and Release” – Calico, Spotty, and Sandbass
– Phone or digital camera and “Hawg Trough” must be used to participate
– The i-Angler app will help facilitate the Tournament Director and Judges
– I-Angler info – www.ianglertournament.com
– Photos showing three longest bass wins each event
– Entry fee – $60 per event. Must be a CCA California member
– $20 Big Fish side pot available at both venues
– 7am “shotgun start” ending at 1pm with a “weigh-in”
– Lunch and a t-shirt available to each angler
– Free parking - 1st place – $500 gift card
– 2nd place – $250 gift card
– 3rd place – $125 gift card
– 4th place – $75 gift card
– Grand Prize – 4-day kayak fishing trip to Cedros Island provided by Cedros Kayak Fishing
– Registered participants receive a ticket for grand prize drawing at each event
– Great raffle prizes - Grand Prize awarded June 10th – King Harbor, Redondo Beach
– Benefitting Coastal Conservation Association of California
– Complete Rules and Registration coming soon – www.battleofthebays.com
CCA CAL’s Monthly Calendar Drawings
CCA CAL and Bill Varney have teamed up to offer a new twist to the 2017 Sportfishing Tide Calendar that will be available at tackle stores, landings and all Turner’s Outdoorsman stores.
This year’s calendar has more than just great pictures, important dates and tide charts–it has prizes too!
CCA CAL will be holding a monthly drawing offering Cousins and Phenix rods, Accurate Reel, Promar Sabiki Rod, Sumo Tackle, Hook Up Baits, Get Some Products, Wet Willy Products, Blue Wave Jewelry, FishDope Membership, an AFTCO shopping spree and other prizes.
Each calendar is marked with a special entry number. Winners will be announced on the 3rd Saturday of each month on “Let’s Talk Hook Up,” radio AM1090. Stop by your local tackle dealer to pick up a copy for a chance to win and help CCA of California with their membership drive.
Winning Number For CCA CAL Calendar Drawing
Saturday, January 21, 2017 Prize
Cousins Bill Varney Series 901 Surf Rod
– 9′ 2 piece spinning rod weighing 6.2 ounces
– Rated 4-12# test with a 1 ounce lure rating
– Perfectly balanced for surf fishing
– Works great for corbina, perch, spotfin croaker and halibut
– Retail value: $240.00
