MICHAEL FARRIOR

Michael Farrior is a world-renowned figure for his volunteer work with the International Game Fish Association and the Tuna Club of Catalina Island, and as a historian and benefactor for wounded soldiers and youth. His scope of adventures includes 15 years in Alaska, across much of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and in many countries, including Australia, New Zealand and nations in Africa. He is a member of the game fish association's Hall of Fame and was appointed as the first historian in the association's history.

His passion is big-game fishing for giant tuna, with special interest in the history of the sport in California and around the world and sharing that passion with others. Farrior was among the first to privately fund fishing trips for wounded soldiers returning from Iraq. In the past 10 years, he has been the catalyst for launching a series of Junior Angler Tournaments from San Diego to Northern California.

Farrior has contributed to fishery management around the world. In 2009, the game fish association honored Farrior with a special proclamation that declared him a "national treasure." In Washington D.C., then-Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-San Diego, entered into the Congressional Record that Farrior is "sport fishing's own national treasure."