All systems are go! Mark your calendars. Save the date, and start getting ready for the 36th Annual Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby scheduled for June 9th and 10th 2012.

Marina Del Rey Anglers once again are hosting the Annual Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby, keeping alive the long-standing tradition of LA's largest salt water angling tournament.

"We expect a great turn-out this year. Saltwater anglers are always looking for an excuse to get out on the water, and we aim to give them a great one." Said MDRA club president, Joshua Gerson. "The last few years have seen a large resurgence of fish and other marine life in our local waters, and we have moved the derby date to June to take advantage of the peak time of the year for many of our local species."

"Of course, a little competition to see who will reign as King of the Derby seems to be in order," Gerson continued. "We understand the need to minimize the impact on our local fishery, so we will continue to provide weight bonuses for caught and released fish and also include species that are more abundant, and of course we will encourage safe and responsible fishing practices in general."

Sign up information will soon be available on our website at www.HalibutDerby.com or you can stop by the Halibut Derby booth at the Fred Hall Show March 7-11th. All derby entrants will get a limited edition derby shirt, discount membership to the MDR Anglers as well as some nice goodie bags which alone will make the derby worth their while.

Marina del Rey Anglers is a fishing and conservation group and a non profit 501(c)3 organization. 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. It hosts over 500 children from at risk environments and future anglers to fishing trips each summer and has released nearly 100,000 white seabass from its WSB grow out pens in Marina Del Rey. It also sponsors fun fishing charters and welcomes new members and donations.

If you would like to make a charitable donation to the MDRA Youth Fishing Program, or the Halibut Derby, Please contact Joshua Gerson at 310 845-6669 or you can send checks and raffle items directly to MDRA, c/o Joshua Gerson 4230 Del Rey Ave.#530, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. For more information regarding the fishing club, visit www.mdranglers.com.

So mark your calendars right now and save the dates, June 9 & 10, 2012 for the next MDR Halibut Derby. This promises to be the biggest, best and most fun fishing event of the year.