2026 Anthony Hsieh Conservation Award Winner
Dr. Barbara Block
Stanford University
2026 Anthony Hsieh Conservation Award Dinner
CCA California invites those from the sportfishing community to join us at the 4th annual Anthony Hsieh Conservation Dinner
April 30th, 2026
Singles: $250 | Tables: $2,500
Dr. Barbara Block
2026 Anthony Hsieh Conservation Award Winner
Dr. Barbara Block is the Prothro Professor of Marine Science at Stanford University. Her research is focused on how pelagic fish utilize the open ocean. She and her team have pioneered the successful development and deployment of biologging tags on billfishes, tunas and sharks. Dr. Block co-founded the Tuna Research and Conservation Center at Stanford in 1996, one of the only captive facilities for bluefin tuna research. Her Stanford team studies pelagic fish from a whole organism to genomic perspective with interests in physiology of migrations, heat production, cardiac biology, energetics, biomechanics, reproduction and genomics. She is founder of the TAG-A-Giant Bluefin tuna electronic tagging campaign which to date has put out over 3200 Archival and Pop up satellite tags on northern bluefin tunas in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and 600 tags on yellowfin and albacore tunas. Dr. Block was a co-Chief Scientist for the Tagging of Pacific Predators program (TOPP), organized under the Census of Marine Life. TOPP succeeded in placing 4500 electronic tags on 23 predators (six guilds from fish, sharks, whales, turtles, seabirds and pinnipeds) in the California Current to understand how pelagic animals use the North Pacific ecosystem. Her lab along with Peter Fithian and Bob Kurz founded the HIBT Great Marlin Race (GMR) conducted for the 60th anniversary of the Tournament. This evolved into the IGFA International Great Marlin Race in 2011. Together the Block lab and IGFA have electronically tagged 600 billfish around the world with anglers as tag donors and participants. The IGMR has become one of the largest Citizen scientist tagging programs on the planet with publick data available from all the tracks. Block earned her B.A. at the University of Vermont, and initiated her oceanographic career at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. She earned a Ph.D. in 1986 at Duke University and was a postdoc at the University of Pennsylvania. She was an assistant professor at the University of Chicago (1989-1993), and joined the Stanford faculty in 1994. Dr. Block has won numerous awards including the NSF young investigator award, a Pew Marine Fellowship, a Rolex Award for Enterprise & the Benchley Award for Ocean Science. She was inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame in 2021 and elected into the US National Academy of Sciences in 2023.
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4-Day Trip for 2 People to Tropic Star Lodge in Panama
Enjoy a 4-day/5-night fishing adventure for two anglers at Tropic Star Lodge. Located in the remote Darien jungles of Panama, Tropic Star Lodge is known worldwide for the amazing fishing grounds and 1st rate amenities. Tropic Star is home to more than 300 fishing world records. Fish for black/blue/striped marlin, roosterfish, yellowfin tuna, Pacific sailfish and many more species. TRIP INCLUDES: 4 days fishing, 5 nights lodging for 2 angler at Tropic Star Lodge in Piñas Bay, Panama between March thru September 2025 or 2026 (call for date availability). 31’ Bertram yacht with experienced captain and mate, first class fishing tackle, deluxe air-conditioned room with private bath and scenic view, full breakfast, boxed lunch, and four course dinners. Sodas, ice-tea and afternoon snacks are complimentary. TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE: Airfare to Panama City, hotels and all expenses incurred in Panama City. Alcoholic beverages and drinks other than sodas or ice-tea. A Panamanian room tax of $160 (or $80 pp double occupancy). Gratuities for your captain and mate and Land Staff. Pre or post Hotel in Panama City, Panama.
See outfitter for availability and cost of additional anglers. Contact for availability as soon as possible. Upgrades to add more people and boats are available at brochure rate, subject to availability.
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4-Night stay in La Paz with 2 days of fishing for 2 people
La Paz is an authentic destination ideal for travelers wishing to have close encounters with nature in an atmosphere of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle. Only two hours north of Los Cabos, La Paz offers its visitors a safe and unforgettable experience in a peaceful environment allowing its visitors to bask in its sunsets, swim in one of its many powdery soft sandy beaches, admire its desert landscapes, and enjoy a myriad of water activities and adventure.
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Columbia River Excursion with ASA Western Region Policy Director, Larry Phillips
Enjoy an epic trip with great company on the Columbia River in Washington. Go fish with American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) Larry Phillips and be a guest of his at his own accommodations . This trip is good for a maximum of three people.
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2.5 day 6-Pack Charter on the Little G
Enjoy an epic trip with great accommodations on the Little G out of H&M Landing in San Diego. Little G is an exclusive full-service sport fishing and expedition yacht charter service offering multi-day big game sportfishing trips, dive trips, from long and short-range bucket list excursions to daily harbor and bay cruises.
Little G is a very well equipped yacht that has the ability to travel to some of the most remote locations. We also base our business around catering to our clients desires and building trips to meet all charter expectations.
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5-Day trip to Kona for Two People & 2-days of fishing on 2nd Offense
This trip is certainly not to be missed as the ocean waves crashing against the lava rock shores create a mesmerizing sight. The lush gardens bursting with vibrant colors and tropical scents are breathtaking. The refreshing sea breezes and the warm sunshine are soothing. Enjoy a 5-night stay at the Royal Kona Resort to enjoy a sensory escape and the aloha spirit any time of the year.
Included in this package is a chance to fish on two days on the 2nd Offense out of Kona. Kona is one of the most unique places in the world to hunt for Big Game, not only for its rich history but its close proximity and comfortable waters that hold true Monsters, GRANDERS, Marlin that weigh in excess of 1,000lbs. The 2nd Offense is a 43′ Allied Marine with a custom-designed and built hull, there were only 14 were made with only two left in the world. This Allied raises Monsters. To date, the 2nd Offense’s two largest marlins weighed in with a 1,400 lb Blue Marlin with Captain Marlin Parker and a 1,102 lb Blue Marlin with Captain Jason Holtz. The hull and structure of the Allied were built solid with fir framing and marine ply, a marine adhesive similar to 5200. She has cedar crown and cove planking and is quilted every 4”.
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Ultimate Channel Islands Sportfishing Package
Come experience the best of the best, fishing the Northern Channel Islands on EIGHT different boats from Santa Barbara, Ventura and Oxnard! This package will allow you to fish on your own timeline, book when you want, bring a buddy (or not!). The Santa Barbara Channel offers some of the finest fishing for rockfish, lingcod, sheephead, CA halibut, white seabass and more! Variety is the spice of life, right?!
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5-Night Trip to Crocodile Bay in Costa Rica
You and a guest will enjoy 5 beautiful tropical nights at the luxurious BOTANIKA, OSA PENINSULA, part of the Hilton Curio Collection, at CROCODILE BAY on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Your certificate includes Two full days of WORLD-CLASS Sportfishing from the legendary CROCODILE BAY team. Stay includes luxurious air-conditioned accommodations for two people, including breakfast (1 Standard Room – double room occupancy) with two days of inshore or offshore sportfishing on the 33′ Strike Tower
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Enjoy a 7-Night Trip of YOUR CHOICE! Choice include: US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, South America, Europe or Australia!
Take your family on a trip of a lifetime for seven nights to the destination of your choice. Choose a destination in the US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, South America, Europe or Australia. Trip is good for hotel accommodations for two adults and two children. The winner will be provided a choice of hotels available during their desired travel dates.
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Trip for Two Anglers to Favorite Bay Lodge in Alaska
Favorite Bay Lodge is located off the beaten track on Admiralty Island, just minutes away from the Tlingit village of Angoon. We are the ideal place to disconnect from the stressors of everyday life and reconnect with nature.
You will enjoy nature’s bounty by day—and relax in luxurious surroundings by night. No matter your interests, you’ll find plenty that appeals to you. Whether fishing, whale watching, kayaking, hiking, or simply unwinding in our unspoiled surroundings, you and your entire family will discover why our Southeast Alaska fishing lodge is anything but ordinary.
Past Award Winners
Anthony Hsieh – 2018 Award Winner
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.”
Dave Pfeiffer
2025 Winner
Marc Gorelnik
2024 Winner
Bill Shedd
2023 Winner
Bob & Anne Fletcher
2022 Winner
Don Hansen
2021 Winner
John Ballotti
2019 Winner
