Marina Del Rey Anglers announced the annual MDR Halibut Derby has been put on a one year hiatus for 2010. ? "This is one of the most difficult decisions our board has ever ?made," said MDRA President Ken Raymond. ? "After 35 years of successful MDR Halibut Derbies and months of painful discussion and soul searching we have decided to take this action."
 ?
"We want make sure our MDR Halibut Derby is good for our thousands of loyal participants as well as our beloved halibut," added Josh Gerson, MDRA incoming president. ? "Our first obligation is to the Santa Monica Bay, the marine environment, our local halibut fishery and the communities we serve. ? We hope to be back in full force in 2011."
 ?
MDRA has hosted the MDR Halibut Derby for tens of thousands of anglers. ? The money raised from the derbies has funded the club's well known and respected MDRA Youth Fishing Program, its White Seabass Pens in Marina Del Rey and various other critical marine environmental and conservation programs.
 ?
Although the health and sustainability of the California halibut is good across the state, the club's board of directors is concerned about the local Santa Monica Bay halibut and the health of the Santa Monica Bay, including the Ballona Creek and associated wetlands. ? Bob Godfrey, MDRA Secretary and past president is leading an investigation of the feasibility of releasing juvenile hatchery raised halibut into appropriate wetland habitats. ? Bob and other MDRA members are working with various concerned groups includi ng Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, Heal the Bay, United Anglers of Southern California and California Department of Fish and Game. ? "This past year we invited the top Marine Fishery Scientists and other marine environmental scientists from various government and non-government agencies to address our club in our attempt to understand why the halibut may not be visiting our Santa Monica Bay in their historical numbers. ? The findings were inconclusive and many from the scientific community speculate it may be as simple as a regular fluctuation or cycle," said Godfrey. ? "We are going to keep looking at the question and for this coming year give our local ?Santa Monica  ?Bay halibut ?a rest." ?
Keith Lambert, the club's incoming Vice President, pointed to scientific data showing a reduction in Fry of the Year, which are the larval stage halibut usually found in the surf line. ? "This may have been caused by the red tides in 2005 and 2006," Lambert said. ? "We are encouraging our members and the fishing community to release the large breeding females so they have a chance to repopulate the bay. ? We want to give them a break for a year."
 ?
Marina Del Rey Anglers is hoping the downturn in halibut landings is a short term cyclical issue and our halibut ?make a strong resurgence so ?local anglers can look forward to another 35 years of fun MDR Halibut Derbies and to frequent catches on local private and party boats.
 ?
For the coming year Marina Del Rey Anglers will dip into reserve funds to sponsor its summer Youth Fishing Program and pay for its White Seabass program and other essential marine environmental projects. ? Money is short and the club is exploring other fund raising activities to replace the money it normally earns from the MDR Halibut Derby. "We are certainly looking to our community and stakeholders for any and all possible support," said Josh Gerson. ? "We will be holding fund raisers and raffles and are asking for support from tackle dealers and manufacturers. ? We will also accept cash donations from the angling community and others who want to support our youth fishing program, white seabass prog ram and our efforts to protect and help our local Santa Monica Bay ?fishery."
 ?
Marina del Rey Anglers is a fishing and conservation group and a non profit 501(c)3 organization. ? It hosts over 500 children from at risk environments and future anglers to fishing trips each summer and has released over 75,000 white seabass from its WSB grow out pens in Marina Del Rey. ? It also sponsors fun fishing charters and welcomes new members and donations. ? Please send any donations of raffle items and cash to MDRA, c/o Bob Godfrey, 13082 Mindanao Way, # 25, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. ? For more information visit www.mdranglers.com or call 310/822-1425.
 ?
For all MDRA club members, MDR Halibut Derby participants, local tackle shops and sportfishing boats this is a sad day. ? But Marina Del Rey Anglers is committed to saving our Santa Monica Bay Halibut and to be back soon hosting many more MDR Halibut Derbies.
The entire MDRA Board of Directors thank you for your understanding and support.