Press Releases
ALEXANDRIA, VA (April 7, 2009) – The San Diego Sportfishing Council is featuring Anglers’ Legacy at its 30th Annual Port of San Diego Day at the Docks® Festival on April 19, 2009. In partnership with West Marine and the Port of San Diego, the San Diego Sportfishing Council will encourage visitors to “Take the Pledge,” a promise to introduce at least one newcomer to boating and fishing in the coming year. Randy Jones, avid angler and former pitcher for the San Diego Padres and fishing legend and lecturer Pete Haynes will both be on-site to lead the effort to collect Anglers’ Legacy Pledges. Those who sign up to become Ambassadors will receive a trophy fish poster to record details about their prize catch and an Anglers’ Legacy decal.
“As the spring fishing and boating season kicks off, we are pleased that the San Diego Sporfishing Council will feature Anglers’ Legacy at their annual celebration,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “Our partnerships have generated major momentum for the program over the past year. As we introduce newcomers to the sport, we contribute to the preservation of our aquatic resources and conservation efforts through the sale of fishing licenses, fishing tackle and boating supplies.”
This year the Port of San Diego's Day at the Docks® Festival, held at the San Diego Sportfishing Landings in Point Loma, celebrates the start of Southern California's spring saltwater fishing season. Activities include a large scale open house aboard the fleet of more than 70 sportfishing vessels, free fishing for kids, tackle and trip giveaways, seminars and presentations, displays from major tackle manufacturers and retailers, and live entertainment on three stages.
“With the support of West Marine, I am confident we’ll be able to add a significant number of Pledges to this valuable RBFF program,” said Day at the Docks Organizer Catherine Miller. “In addition to facilitating this Pledge drive, we hope to raise general awareness that as stewards of the sport we have a responsibility to the future of sportfishing to introduce newcomers to angling.”
Anglers' Legacy, a program aimed at increasing first-time fishing and boating experiences, has signed on more than 100,000 Ambassadors nationwide since its inception in May 2006. According to a 2008 survey of Ambassadors, most purchase approximately $140 in fishing tackle and equipment, $153 in boating supplies and accessories, and more than three fishing licenses which support critical fish and wildlife management efforts through the Sport Fish Restoration Program.
About The San Diego Sportfishing Council
The San Diego Sportfishing Council is a California non-profit corporation, formed in 1979 and organized to market and promote San Diego's sportfishing industry. Its members include the four sportfishing landings operating on San Diego Bay, the 70+ sportfishing vessels in the fleet and ancillary businesses which benefit from a vital sportfishing industry. The Port of San Diego and the County of San Diego have been promotional partners since the organization’s inception. For more information on Day at the Docks, visit www.sportfishing.org or e-mail sdfish@sportfishing.org.
About RBFF
RBFF is a nonprofit organization established in 1998 to increase participation in recreational angling and boating. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers’ Legacy™.
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