BOB FLETCHER

Fletcher has led the fight against overharvesting and waste by commercial netters and long-liners. Under Fletcher's watch as chief deputy director for the Department of Fish and Game in the 1980s, gillnets were banned from the inshore coastal waters of the Bay Area. Later, he pressed the issue of damage by trawlers and long-liners in Southern California waters.

He is best known as the president of the Sportfishing Association of California, which represents 175 sportfishing vessels berthed from Santa Barbara to San Diego, and 23 SAC Landings, with 1.million customers per year.

Fletcher is an expert sport angler, fishing for albacore and yellowtail out of San Diego. He is a licensed boat captain and worked 12 years as owner and operator of two 65-foot vessels. Before that, he fished commercially for tuna and harpooned swordfish. His travels have taken him across thousands of miles of ocean waters along the California and Mexico coastline.