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Shimano American Corporation Gives Significant Boost to Hurricane Fund
by Johanna Laderman

January 27, 2006, Alexandria, VA?\The FishAmerica Gulf Fund, the charitable fund launched by the FishAmerica Foundation (FAF) last November and dedicated to Gulf Coast sportfish restoration efforts, recently received a $10,000 donation from Shimano American Corporation starting off the new year with a bang.

Restoring and maintaining sportfish habitat is vital to keeping the recreational fishing industry strong and viable,” said Dave Pfeiffer, American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) Board chairman and executive vice president, Shimano American Corporation. “As ASA’s Board Chairman, I know the industry is solidly behind the Gulf Fund and hopefully by showing our support it will encourage others to see the perpetual value in this effort.”

The funds mark the largest single corporate donation to date and Shimano American Corporation now joins ranks with G.Loomis, Inc. and TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group as the first cornerstone donors to the fund.

While individual corporations are now donating to the fund, numerous programs and initiatives have already helped lay the groundwork, paving the way for the fund’s success. Zebco/WCB, through the creation of Operation F.I.S.H (Fishermen In Support of Hurricane relief), commissioned the design of a special Operation F.I.S.H. ball cap used as the focal point for the campaign which are being “sold” in exchange for donations. In addition, PRIMEDIA is offering discounted subscriptions to In-Fisherman, Fly Fisherman and Walleye In-Sider magazines with half of the subscription fees going to the fund. Most recently, the Classic Angler Charity auction held on eBay® featured items donated by four top professional bass anglers.

I would like to thank Shimano for their generous donation. The Gulf Fund is one of FishAmerica’s top priorities. With this significant contribution from Shimano, the fund is really beginning to take shape,” said Johanna Laderman, FAF’s managing director. “Our goal is to make a significant impact in helping to restore Gulf Coast sportfish populations, their habitat and fishing facilities. Through Shimano’s generosity, and the generosity of all our donors, we are closer to making that impact.”

About the FishAmerica Gulf Fund
The FishAmerica Gulf Fund was created in response to the extreme devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita to the United States Gulf Coast’s sportfish habitat and facilities. The FishAmerica Gulf Fund will provide funding to help restore critical sportfish habitat and facilities along the Gulf Coast. The foundation will work with state and federal natural resource agencies and community conservation groups to identify and prioritize projects like wetland creation and restoration, aquatic vegetation planting, rebuilding angler access, and reestablishing fish passage. Grants will be provided to local sportfishing clubs and conservation organizations to aid in their efforts to restore sportfish populations and their habitats and access to the resource.

Special thanks to FishAmerica Gulf Fund partners eBay®, Game Headwear Co., Mailing Services, Inc., Octagon, PRIMEDIA and Zebco/WC Bradley for their continued support.

For additional information and to support the FishAmerica Gulf Fund, please visit www.fishamerica.org or contact Johanna Laderman, managing director, FishAmerica Foundation, 703.519.9691 x245.

The FishAmerica Foundation is the conservation and research foundation of the American Sportfishing Association. FishAmerica unites the sportfishing industry with conservation groups, government agencies, fishing tournaments, corporations and charitable foundations, investing in fisheries conservation and research across the country. FishAmerica provides matching grants that empower citizen conservationists in their own communities. Since 1983, FishAmerica has provided more than $8 million for more than 800 fisheries conservation and research projects nationwide.