GETTING TOGETHER TO TAKE KIDS FISHING (June 6, 2007) — The groups involved in protecting our oceans and preserving recreational access for everybody may not agree on everything. There are a couple things, however, universally agreed upon. One is that introducing more kids to recreational fishing is absolutely critical to the future of our sport. Another is that seeing the thrill in the eyes of a youngster as he or she feels the tug of that first fish is the one of the most heartwarming feelings you’ll ever have. Hundreds of Southern California youngsters and dozens of adult volunteers recently shared the joy of saltwater fishing thanks to the combined efforts of Friends of Rollo/UASC, NOAA Fisheries Service, the California Department of Fish and Game, the Dana Angling Club and the Oceanside Senior Anglers. Four sponsored party boat trips out of local landings gave boys and girls of all ages the chance to enjoy a day on the water and “tangle” with the likes of log barracuda, calico bass, sand bass, lingcod and rockfish. These fishing adventures included a May 15 1/2-day trip aboard the Sea Trek out of Helgren’s Landing in Oceanside that hosted about 25 boys and girls from Santa Margarita Elementary School. On June 1, more than 40 kids from Rockdale Elementary School enjoyed a 3/4-day fishing adventure aboard the 85-foot Eldorado out of Long Beach Berth 55 Sportfishing. Sunday, June 3 marked a very special United States Marine Corp 1/2-day trip for 26 kids and eight adults from in and around the base at Camp Pendleton. The Electra out of Helgren’s Landing provided the stage for sons and daughters of brave U.S. soldiers — many deployed in the Middle East — to enjoy a carefree day on the water. This was also the first DFG California Fishing Passport Event of the year. All passengers aboard received new passport books as they came aboard, and nearly everyone received passport stamps in their books for fish they’d caught by the time they left the boat. United Anglers of Southern California’s (UASC) Dan Fink related the great feeling of watching a 16-year old girl just enjoying a day on the water with her “daddy,” recently returned from Iraq. “It literally brought a tear to your eye,” Fink said. Volunteers from Oceanside Senior Anglers were on hand to help with both trips out of Helgren’s, while representatives from the California Department of Fish and Game were aboard Electra to lend a hand and make the Camp Pendleton trip an educational and fun event. June 4 and June 5 saw two great Friends of Rollo/UASC trips organized by the Dana Angling Club for children of active military personnel, including many who are currently deployed. Both 1/2-day trips were aboard the popular Clemente out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing, and put about 70 total kids in the thick of the fishing action off the Orange County coast. All of these recent trips were provided by UASC/Friends of Rollo with supportive funding from the NOAA Youth Fishing Program. Friends of Rollo/UASC is a non-profit organization that introduces children to marine life and our ocean environment through it’s kids fishing program by arranging trips and covering most of the cost, making fishing accessible to children who otherwise wouldn’t be able to experience it. Friends of Rollo/UASC concentrates on disadvantaged, at risk, and disabled children, but other organized youth group such as schools, churches, and community groups are eligible to apply for trips, which are granted as funding permits. Each year, Friends of Rollo/UASC introduces thousands of youngsters to fishing on trips between Santa Barbara and San Diego. Marty Golden, the NOAA Pacific Coast Recreational Fisheries Coordinator, noted, “anglers historically have been an anchor for good stewardship of our marine environment. Getting kids hooked on fishing is an important step in perpetuating this role.” Sponsored youth fishing trips like these happen all year long, but these adventures were special because they helped highlight National Boating and Fishing Week. This 7th annual event (June 2-10 this year) is a national celebration of fishing and boating coordinated by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and supported by organizations coast-to-coast. Across the country, people get on the water for a variety of events, including fishing derbies, educational events, festivals and other activities. Free fishing days — when a state angling license isn’t required — are coordinated to help get new anglers on the water to try fishing. Saturday, June 9 and Saturday, September 22 will be free fishing days across California. Additionally, on June 9 and 10, Friends of Rollo/UASC is sponsoring “Kids Fish Free” at 17 landings across Southern California where they will pay the fare for up to two kids age 15 and under for each paid adult fare. For more information about Friends of Rollo/UASC — or to learn how to arrange a youth fishing trip —visit www.friendsofrollo.com or www.unitedanglers.com. For more information on future California Fishing Passport program trips and events, log on to www.fishingpassport.org. Additional information about the NOAA Recreational Fishing Team programs is located on the Partnerships and Communications Division Website at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/PartnershipsCommunications/index.htm. |