CCA CAL
The Anthony Hsieh Conservation Award is given each year by the Coastal Conservation Association of California (CCA CAL) to an individual who has supported sportfishing in California and has made meaningful contributions toward the protection, restoration, and enhancement of our marine resource.

Our Award Winners…

2023

Bill Shedd

For over 30 years, Bill has volunteered and devoted an enormous amount of his time, energy and financial resources toward marine conservation and recreational fishing industry issues, while also running one of the most successful sportfishing-oriented business in the world—AFTCO.

Bill is a founding member of the non-profit CCA CAL—the only state-wide organization fighting for anglers’ rights—and has served as board chairman since its inception in 2015.

He is also chairman of the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, and serves on the board of directors of the Center for Sportfishing Policy (CSP), International Game Fish Association (IGFA), and the California Artificial Reef Enhancement program.

In addition to all of this, Bill served for seven years on the board of directors for the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), and as chairman of the ASA Government Affairs Committee for over 25 years. He was the co-founder of United Anglers of Southern California (UASC), where he led that group’s efforts to develop the white seabass grow out facilities to support the hatchery program. Bill also played a pivotal role with UASC in the successful effort to ban inshore set gillnets in California state ocean waters through the passage of Proposition 132 in 1990, now a state constitutional amendment.

In 1989 Shedd started the AFTCO Tag Flag program in both the Atlantic and Pacific, which for 18 years played a major role in increasing awareness of and participation in tag and release sportfishing. He also served on the board of United Sport Fishermen, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, and on the NOAA Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee.

Bill’s work has brought him worldwide accolades and recognition, including the ASA Lifetime Achievement Award, and induction into the ASA Hall of Fame. What’s more, he was honored with the IGFA Conservation Award, and just this year was inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame. And the list on honors goes on, including the CSP Eddie Smith Manufacturer of the Year Award, the UASC Bill Ray Memorial Award, the California Outdoor Writers Association Man of the Year Award, Bill Poole Memorial Award, and the Motor Boating Magazine Best of the Year Award. Bill was also asked in 2018 to be the keynote speaker at the NOAA Fisheries and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission National Recreational Fisheries Summit.

2022

Bob & Anne Fletcher

Born and raised in San Diego, Bob Fletcher has spent his whole life in the marine fisheries arena. He graduated from Stanford University in 1965 and then spent four years as an officer in the US Air Force, where he was awarded a Bronze Star for his time in Southeast Asia.

Following his service to the country, Bob returned to San Diego, earned a captain’s license to operate sportfishing passenger boats, and spent the next 12 years as a skipper and boat owner. During that time, he owned and operated two 65-foot charter boats, both named the Cat Special. He has also fished commercially for tuna and has commercially harpooned swordfish. 

In 1983 Bob was appointed by then-California Governor George Deukmejian to the California Department of Fish and Game (now the Department of Fish and Wildlife) and spent      the next six years as deputy director, and later as chief deputy director. During that time, he represented the state on the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), and was chair for 1½ years. Bob also represented California as a Commissioner on the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC), was the first chair of the Klamath Fisheries Management Council, and was the California representative on the U.S./Mexico Fisheries negotiating group known by the acronym, MEXUS/PACIFICO.

In 1989, he left public service to return to the private sector and became the president of SAC, which includes 175 commercial passenger fishing vessels berthed between the ports of Santa Barbara and San Diego serving 750,000 passengers a year on fishing, sport diving and natural history excursions. SAC also represents 23 landings and the majority of the live bait harvesting fleet. He retired from SAC in 2009. 

Bob and Anne married in 1978. Throughout Bob’s career, Anne has stood by his side as a business partner and advisor in all matters, including his dedication to representing the interests of marine conservation and the sportfishing community.

Anne assumed shoreside duties while Bob was at sea, and at the same time, they had two sons, Robert, Jr. and Nicholas. With Bob’s appointment to California DFW in 1983, the family moved to Fair Oaks, just east of Sacramento, where Anne raised the two busy, headstrong boys while making a home for the Fletcher family.

When Bob became president of the Sportfishing Association of California (SAC) six years later, the family returned to San Diego where Anne served as office manager for SAC and continued to support Bob’s extensive conservation work. 

Anne retired with Bob in 2009, and they enjoyed years traveling together in their RV around the Pacific Northwest and other western states and visiting with their children and grandchildren.  

2021

Don Hansen

Don Hansen’s decades of work to help improve and make California sportfishing accessible is what makes him a legend in the sportfishing industry.  Don fell in love with the sea as a kid and has spent his life on the water. Hansen first started at the young age of 12-years old on the San Clemente Pier, when he was hauling fish from the pier to the shore for tip money with his wooden wagon. Once he turned 18, he joined the United States Coast Guard, in time for the Korean War and served four years, two of those years stationed in Guam. After receiving an honorable discharge, he ran vessels and worked for San Clemente Sportfishing, which ultimately led to him purchasing the company in 1966. Almost single handedly, he consistently took out over 10,000 fishermen every season from the San Clemente Pier on four different boats. 

Shortly after moving into the newly built Dana Point Harbor in 1971, Don is credited with jump-starting the whale watching industry, offering whale watching and nature trips, and also created the Festival of Whales to celebrate their migration, which is currently the longest running festival in the world. 

Giving back continues to be a huge part of Don’s legacy. With the help of his daughter, CCA CAL State Board Member Donna Kalez, along with his son Michael Hansen, they have started multiple kids’ marine education programs, with Hansen serving four years on the board of the Chamber of Commerce, and was named San Clemente’s “Citizen of the Year” in 1970. He also later received San Clemente’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. 

Don Hansen continues to focus his time and efforts on the sportfishing industry, trying to keep recreational fishing viable for generations to come. He most recently served as Chairman of the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, appointed as Commissioner for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, and was also appointed to commissioner on the National Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. Don currently serves as the Vice President of the Sportfishing Association of California. 

On top of all of his accomplishments, Don continues to serve as a mentor to many of today’s captains, deckhands, landing operators, and councils. We are very proud to have him as a member of CCA California, a winner of the Anthony Hiesh Award and as a friend.

2019

John Ballotti

The Coastal Conservation Association of California (CCA CAL) awarded the 2019 Anthony Hsieh Conservation Award to CCA CAL State Board Member and Los Angeles Chapter President John Ballotti.

Ballotti first served in the United States Army as a missile systems officer. After his service in the Army, he then went on to have a successful 28-year career with Mattel, Inc. where he retired as Senior Director for Global Procurement. Since retiring in 2011, he has served as past President of the Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club (LARRC) and past Chairman of the Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club Foundation. He currently serves as the Treasurer for LARRC.

“John’s leadership hasn’t just been with the LA Chapter, anytime something has been needed, John has always been the guy to step up,” CCA CAL Chairman Bill Shedd said. “John and the LA Chapter have set a really high bar for other chapters in California.”

In 2015, Ballotti became the President of the very first CCA California chapter in Los Angeles and is currently still serving as President, along with being a member of the Executive Committee for the State Board of Directors for CCA CAL. Ballotti continues to put in countless hours with whole-hearted dedication helping CCA California. His leadership and guidance have set the standard for all of our local presidents.

2018

Anthony Hsieh

Through the generosity of a match from Anthony Hsieh, the Coastal Conservation Association of California (CCA CAL) raised $237,543.50 to further their ability to represent saltwater anglers in CA. On February 6, 2018 CCA CAL Chairman Bill Shedd and Treasurer Don Trojanreceived a $79,214.50 check from Anthony for the 2-1 match program against the $158,429 raised from current CCA CAL members and concerned saltwater anglers.

A recent example was CCA CAL helping to prevent pacific bluefin tuna from being listed as an endangered species last year. If the environmental activists pushing that effort had been successful, it would have prevented any take of bluefin by California anglers. Communication Committee Chairman and BD Outdoors President Ali Hussainy said that “Most anglers don’t even know what CCA CAL and our partners accomplished with bluefin. These funds will allow us to hire professional marketing staff support. That will enable us to revamp our web site, and generally improve on our communication and marketing efforts.”
The long – term goal for CCA CAL is to have state chapters through – out CA., including Northern CA. According the CCA CAL Board Member Bart Hall of the Fred Hall Shows, “In most every coastal state in the US, the CCA is a force for saltwater anglers to be reckoned with.” Doug Lasko President of Okuma and CCA Board Member added, “The key to CCA success is having a number of chapters throughout the state, and a lobbyist in the state capital. These funds will help us to acquire both here in CA.” Dave Pfeiffer, CCA Vice Chairman and President of Shimano said “This match program made possible by Anthony provides a huge step forward for CCA CAL. Now we can more fully build out our chapter base. While we do so I encourage all saltwater anglers in CA. to get involved with and support your local CCA CAL chapter and their events.”