NEWS | NOVEMBER 2018
US tackle trade honours
those boosting fishing
Ben Allen
L - R: ASA
President Glenn
Hughes, Jeff Pontius
and Chris Megan,
Publisher, On the
Water LLC, ASA board
chairman
L - R: ASA
President Glenn
Hughes, Dave Bulthuis
and Chris Megan,
Publisher, On the
Water LLC, ASA board
chairman
The American Sportfi shing
Association (ASA) has
recognised three leaders
in its sport for the vital
contribution they have
made to the future of
industry.
During the American
Sportfi shing Association
(ASA) summit last month
(October), more than 230
atendees, who discussed the
issues recreational fi shing,
watched three key players be
recognised for their work.
The ASA’s most prestigious
honour, The Lifetime
Achievement Award,
went to Costa Sunglasses’
Vice-President of Industry
Relations and Government
Affairs, Dave Bulthius, for
his leadership and lifelong
commitment to recreational
fi shing and the industry.
ASA’s Future of Fishing
Award was presented to
long-time member Jeff
Pontius, who recently
retired as President and
CEO for ZEBCO Brands.
Jeff was rewarded for his
commitment to recreational
fi shing’s future through
growing participation in the
sport and his leadership in
the trade association.
ASA President, Glenn
Hughes said, “Throughout
their careers, both Jeff and
Dave have demonstrated
amazing leadership and
dedication to their respective
companies, the industry and
to the American Sportfi shing
Association. Their
willingness to go the extra
mile and do what it takes to
get people out on the water
has had a positive impact on
our sport.”
It also gave a Legislative
Champion Award to
California State Senator,
Ben Allen, in recognition
of his commitment to
fi sheries conservation and
recreational fi shing’s future.
Senator Allen introduced
the bill to end commercial
drift gillnet fi shing which
was signed into law in
September. The legislation
phases out the use of milelong
nets that drift in the
open ocean, compensates
drift gillnet fi shermen and
encourages a transition to
innovative new swordfi shing
gear.