The new Golden Gate Salmon Association will participate in the International Sportsmen's Exposition show January 20th - 23 in Sacramento at the Cal Expo Center. Interested individuals can pick up literature about GGSA or join the organization at Water4Fish booth 3340, the Clarks Outdoor Adventure booth or Johnson Hicks Marine booth 3146. These booths are in C building. Those joining GGSA at the show will be entered in a raffle for a one day fishing trip with Wacky Jacky out of SF, The New Sea Angler out of Bodega Bay or the Salty Lady out of Sausalito.

The Golden Gate Salmon Association was recently formed by a coalition of commercial, recreational and environmental salmon leaders. Its purpose is to provide financial and manpower resources to assist in the recovery of the Central Valley salmon through legal, public relations, lobbying and science activities. The GGSA is a member based regional nonprofit organization whose principal objective is the revival, protection and enhancement of the Central Valley salmon and their habitat and the furtherance of our sustainable recreational and commercial fishing culture through working with elected officials, regulatory agencies and other legal, educational and outreach organizations. The organization will begin a series of fundraising dinners early in 2011.

Mr. Victor Gonella is the President of GGSA and one of its principal organizers. He says, "The salmon collapse of Northern California is a travesty. In spite of hundreds of individuals and dozens of organizations working on recovery, the runs continue to decline towards extinction. GGSA will bring new funding and new resources to attack this problem. We encourage everyone who cares about salmon to join us and volunteer for one of our committees. The committees are: Administration and Finance, Government Affairs, Membership and Public Relations, Fundraising, and Science. Dues are $25."

GGSA starts with a powerful and committed Board of Directors with diverse skills and backgrounds. Those designated so far include Dan Bacher of the Fish Sniffer, Jim Caito of Caito Fisheries, Ron Davis of Davis Appraisals, Ken Elie of Outdoor Pro Shop, Victor Gonella of Autoworld, Zeke Grader of PCFFA, Jonah Li of Hi's Tackle Box, John McManus of Earth Justice, Barry Nelson of NRDC, Galen Onizuka of Johnson Hicks Marine, Dick Pool of Pro-Troll Fishing Products, Rick Powers of Bodega Bay Sportfishing, Roger Thomas of Golden Gate Fishermen's Association, and David Zeff of David Zeff Attorneys.

Brian Layng is CEO of the International Sportsmen's Expositions. He says, "We are very encouraged and optimistic about the Golden Gate Salmon Association. We all need to be more active in recovering the salmon and this organization will give us the clout we need. I encourage everyone to participate and support this organization."