AWARDS, PRIZES AND FUN HIGHLIGHT UASC FUNDRAISING DINNER MAY 20 Record Crowd on Hand to Honor Peggie Shedd as She Accepts United Anglers of Southern California’s 16th Annual Fundraising Dinner was an evening of many highlights, including good food, fish stories and thousands of dollars worth of valuable prizes. The Harborside Pavilion — with its 180-degree view of Newport Harbor — provided an ideal setting for this much anticipated annual event. From the standing ovation she received from the 300 in attendance, however, it was clear that the most rewarding part of the evening was watching Peggie Shedd — a veritable “First Lady “ of fisheries conservation — step up to receive the Bill Ray Memorial Award, UASC’s highest conservation honor. “Peggie is one of the true pioneers of fisheries conservation,” said UASC President Tom Raftican as he presented the award along with Bill Shedd, Peggie’s son and president of AFTCO. “Without the support and tireless work of Peggie and her husband (late Hubbs/Sea World Research Institute founder Milt Shedd), we never could have been successful in our fight against pelagic longline fisheries and coastal gillnets. And we never would have had the thriving white seabass hatchery program and robust seabass fishing we enjoy today,” Raftican added. Always a class act who’s always preferred to stay out of the spotlight, Peggie listed releasing the one millionth juvenile seabass into the ocean a few years ago as one of her life’s most important moments. For much of her life, she has been deeply involved in fishing and protecting ocean resources. She was there at the very beginning of the Hubbs/Sea World Research Institute and actually did the books for the first seven years on her kitchen table. From 1973 until today, Peggie has served as either Corporate Secretary or Vice President of AFTCO Mfg. Co., a leading manufacturer of rod components, angling accessories and fishing wear. And at every turn, Peggie has been on the front lines, offering guidance, assistance and financial support to UASC in a number of important areas. She continues in this role today, as UASC works with Northern California’s Coastside Fishing Club and other organizations to craft a more rational approach to the Marine Life Protection Act. The many unique auction items, door prizes and raffle prizes are always another high point of this annual event, and Sunday evening didn’t disappoint. More than $60,000 in valuable prizes (generously donated by industry sponsors and private citizens too numerous to list), including fishing tackle, fishing trips, artwork, clothing, gift baskets and more, were won by attendees via live auctions, silent auctions and raffles. Among the top winners was John Koffroth of Redondo Beach, whose name was drawn for the Grand Prize, a special pass for 24 party boat fishing trips at landings between San Diego and Santa Barbara. A second Grand Prize, a Hobie Quest Kayak fully accessorized for coastal fishing, was won by Wanda Harris, whose husband Alec Masumoto owns the Rusty Hook Tackle Shop in San Pedro. Earlier in the evening, Masumoto was presented with the Industry Volunteer of the Year Award by Tom Raftican, in honor of all his hard work in coordinating support for UASC from the sport fishing industry. UASC also recognized the extraordinary efforts of Robin Osborn and Will Ebersman, presenting them with Volunteer of the Year awards. For more information about the ongoing activities of United Anglers of Southern California, contact organization headquarters at (949) 863-9447 or visit www.unitedanglers.com
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