Military Families from Ventura County Spend a Day Discovering and Fishing Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

June 13, 2023

Washington, D.C. (June 13, 2023)/OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – On Saturday June 10th, National Park Trust partnered with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, NOAA Fisheries, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and Reel Guppy Outdoors, a local non-profit dedicated to spawning the next generation of sportfishing and outdoor enthusiasts, to engage military connected families from the Ventura County, CA area for a day of fishing at Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

After boarding a fishing charter boat, NOAA representatives taught more than 30 participants about the local marine sanctuary, the fish and wildlife that call it home, and people’s role in helping to protect this unique ecosystem. Families learned how to fish, put their new skills into action, and went home with their own fishing gear so they can come back and fish again. Reel Anglers Fishing Show filmed the outing and captured all the memorable moments.

“National marine sanctuaries like the Channel Islands connect people to the special places in our waters. We hope to build the next generation of stewards for our ocean by expanding opportunities for recreational activities such as fishing that create lifelong family memories,” said Allison Alexander, vice president for program operations at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. “Responsible and sustainable recreation is a key to maintaining support for our protected waters including national marine sanctuaries.”

“National Park Trust is honored to partner with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and national marine sanctuaries nationwide to engage military families as we work to establish lifelong relationships between local communities and public parks, lands, and waters,” said Grace Lee, executive director of National Park Trust. “Teaching families how to fish and then providing fishing equipment that they can take with them will allow participants to continue enjoying this recreational activity and create more family memories.”

“Sustainable recreational fishing is a cornerstone of NOAA Fisheries’ mission, and we are thrilled to support this partnership. National Park Trust, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries share our goal of getting more children and families outdoors,” said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “These fishing events ensure the next generation of anglers and ocean stewards are experiencing the joy of recreational fishing in our underwater marine parks.”

“Most of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is open to fishing, and we are honored to provide this opportunity for local military families,” said Chris Mobley, superintendent for Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. “NOAA and the Foundation are partnering with the National Park Trust and Reel Guppy Outdoors to foster a sense of shared responsibility for

America’s great outdoors.  This sanctuary fishing event shows how military families can assist in protecting these special places.”

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation awarded funds to the National Park Trust to provide elementary-aged students and their families with access to recreational fishing opportunities in national marine sanctuaries across the country. This event at Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is the last of three fishing events at national marine sanctuaries nationwide taking place in celebration of National Fishing & Boating Week 2023. The two other event locations included Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in Florida on May 20^th and Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary in Maryland on June 3^rd.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, the Park Trust has acquired many of the missing pieces of our national parks, benefiting 52 national park sites. Our national youth education and family initiatives, including our Buddy Bison Programs and National Kids to Parks Day, serve hundreds of Title I schools annually and cultivate future park stewards. We believe that our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all for current and future generations. Find out more at parktrust.org.

Media Contact: Ivan Levin at 540.818.5818 or ivan@parktrust.org

ABOUT NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, established in 2000, is the official non-profit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Foundation directly supports America’s national marine sanctuaries through our mission to protect species, conserve ecosystems and preserve cultural and maritime heritage. We accomplish our mission through community stewardship and engagement programs, on-the-water conservation projects, public education and outreach programs, and scientific research and exploration. The Foundation fosters innovative projects that are solution-oriented, scalable, and transferable, and develop strategic partnerships that promote the conservation and recovery of species and their habitats. Find out more at marinesanctuary.org.

Media Contact: Chip Weiskotten at 518.669.3936 or chip@marinesanctuary.org

ABOUT CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary protects 1,470 square miles of ocean waters around five of the Channel Islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara islands. Designated in 1980, the sanctuary supports remarkable marine biodiversity, productive ecosystems, endangered species, sensitive habitats, historic shipwrecks, and Chumash heritage, providing protection through research, education, conservation, and stewardship. Find out more at http://channelislands.noaa.gov/.

Media Contact: Shauna Fry at 805.203.6768 or shauna.fry@noaa.gov

###