Recreational Fishing Supporter Appointed to Pacific Fishery Management Council

Sportfishing industry applauds appointment

June 26, 2007 – Alexandria,  VA - The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) applauds the appointment of Dan Wolford to the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC). Wolford was nominated by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for the At-Large seat and appointed by Bill Hogarth, Ph.D., director of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service. ASA supported Wolford’s nomination with a letter to Dr. Hogarth and introduced him to members of the California Congressional delegation in support of his candidacy.

Wolford brings to the PFMC a lifetime of experience with marine conservation issues and recreational fishing. He currently serves as the Science Director for the Coastside Fishing Club in Pacifica, Calif. Wolford has led many efforts to promote conservation-based recreational sportfishing opportunities for California’s citizens.

According to ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson, “Dan Wolford has demonstrated time and again his passion for fishing and his knowledge and support of scientifically-based conservation of our natural resources. His ability to work cooperatively with management agencies to find solutions that are in the best interests of marine fishery resources will prove to be invaluable to the PFMC.”

Some of Mr. Wolford's recent accomplishments include addressing issues regarding recreational catch estimation methodology. For example, he has worked to find viable data collection alternatives to the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey that will more accurately represent catch numbers for recreational anglers. He is currently producing a peer-reviewed document on mortality in released rockfish and recompression techniques for recreational anglers to decrease current mortality levels.

He has also worked extensively with PFMC committees and the California Department of Fish and Game to develop and implement fair and effective fishery management techniques ranging from closures to slot limits to gear restrictions, and beyond. An avid angler, he has become an advocate for fishermen by exploring proven fishery management techniques for viable applications.