The Tuna Club presents CCA California with one of its highest honors— the Past President’s Conservation Award
The historic Tuna Club, the oldest big-game sportfishing club in the world, has bestowed upon the Coastal Conservation Association of California (CCA CAL) one of its highest honors—the Past President’s Conservation Award, recognizing the non-profit organization’s tireless dedication to fighting for marine conservation and fishery enhancement in the Golden State.
The award, signed by 11 past presidents as well as current president, Johnnie Crean, and Tuna Club officers, reads: “In recognition of efforts consistent with the highest ideals of conservation and sportsmanship as promulgated by Tuna Club’s founding fathers.”
Club Vice President Steve Behrens expressed the Tuna Club’s deep appreciation for the work of CCA CAL. “We know how much work CCA California does in promoting marine conservation,” Behrens said. “The Tuna Club is very appreciative of the work of CCA, and that’s why this award is so well deserved.”
“We thank the Tuna Club for this honored, and are humbled to receive the award,” said Wayne Kotow, executive director of CCA CAL. “This great honor is shared among the amazing CCA CAL volunteers who donate generously of their time, energy and financial resources to support the ideals of marine conservation, fishery enhancement and angler access to ocean resources. They are the ones who deserve this award.”
CCA CAL believes that strong conservation can coexist with responsible, sustainable consumptive outdoor recreation, said Kotow, noting that CCA CAL strives every day to fight hard on behalf of the 2.1 million licensed anglers in California.
The Tuna Club of Santa Catalina Island was founded by Charles Frederick Holder on June 15, 1898, becoming the first big-game sportfishing club in the world and establishing the ethics of ocean angling as we know them today. The group’s early meetings were held at the landmark Hotel Metropole fronting the beach in Avalon. Today, the club’s historic headquarters building is an enduring tribute to the birthplace of big-game fishing. Members of the Tuna Club have included presidents William McKinley, Grover Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt, along with Winston Churchill, Cecil B. DeMille, Charlie Chaplin and Bing Crosby.
