As a gift to commemorate the now more than 50 years Shimano has had a presence in the United States – and the 40-year anniversary of Shimano-branded tackle being sold by fishing dealers nationwide, the company is making major financial contributions to support the advocacy efforts of recreational fishing groups in areas where its main fishing operations are located. Also included with financial support will be the American Sportfishing Association’s Keep Florida Fishing efforts, an initiative that was the brainchild of Shimano North American Fishing, Inc. president Dave Pfeiffer when he served on the ASA Board of Directors.
“On behalf of Team Shimano here in the States, we are making a $50,000 donation to assist the efforts by Coastal Conservation Association South Carolina (CCA SC) and Coastal Conservation Association California (CCA Cal),” said Steve Ferrara, vice president for Shimano North America Fishing, Inc. “And we are obviously well aware of the importance of sportfishing in Florida – from the Keys to the Gulf and Atlantic, along with the exceptional freshwater bass fishing – to the entire recreational fishing business. The Keep Florida Fishing staff plays a key role in protecting the best interests of sport anglers and the industry in the entire region.”
Since relocating senior management, sales, and marketing staff to its location in Ladson, S.C., Team Shimano members have volunteered many man-hours assisting with oyster reef restoration projects. “From talking with the folks at CCA SC, we learned about their financial support needs for future oyster reef work, along with establishing a network of near shore reefs and three deep-water reefs for snapper and grouper habitat,” said Ferrara.
Shimano was a founding sponsor of CCA Cal, and many on staff in its Irvine, Calif. offices continue in active roles with the organization. “With our customer service, administrative functions and constantly busy distribution center for Shimano’s fishing tackle business housed in our west coast facility,” Ferrara said, “we remain committed to sportfishing advocacy efforts benefitting the entire California saltwater fishery.”
It will be up to the organizations receiving the Shimano contribution to put it to best use. “A key principal at Shimano on conservation and advocacy issues is to always get involved on the ground, offering staff time and talent,” said Ferrara. “And while we will continue to do that, we also realize it takes dollars for many of the projects and initiatives being worked on by these groups. We’re extremely pleased to offer this support as our way to thank to sport anglers for their support to us over the past 50-plus years.”
