Draft:AFTCO
‘’’American Fishing Tackle Company’’’ (AFTCO) is a Santa Ana, California-based fishing tackle, clothing, gear, and outdoor sporting equipment manufacturer.
AFTCO was founded in 1958 in Newport Beach, California by J.C. Axelson. Axelson made roller guides for big-game fishing.[1]
In 1973, Milton Shedd and wife Peggie purchased the company from Axelson’s widow.[2] Milt was also a co-founder of Sea-World.[2]
Bill Shedd, Milt’s son, joined the company in 1974 as sales manager, and in 1994, took over as President.[3]
In 1989, the company introduced its first line of clothing, Bluewater Wear.[2] The clothing is designed with marine themes.[2]
In 2000, the company was officially renamed the American Fishing Tackle Company, and maintained the AFTCO acronym.[3]
In 2019, Casey Shedd, Bill’s son, became president of the company.[3]
The company is involved in conservation and environmental advocacy.[4] In 1998, the company made a film that exposed the bycatch practices of commercial gillnetting.[5] The film was made in collaboration with the Oceanic Wildlife Campaign to raise public awareness, and appeal to the government to take a more active role in restricting wasteful commercial fishing practices.[5]
In 1987, Bill shedd and Greg Stotesbury started the Tag-A-Tuna for Tomorrow program, which became an AFTCO-sponsored tournament. The company provided awards to encourage fishermen to participate.[6]
AFTCO contributes 10% of its annual profits to help protect fishing resources. Conservation partners include the American Sportfishing Association, the Coastal Conservation Association, and the International Game Fish Association.[3]
Bill helped start white sea bass and halibut hatchery programs at the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, founded by his father, Milt.[3] He advocated for the elimination of longline fishing for sharks in California, and in banning gillnets in Southern California waters.[3] Bill initiated tuna and swordfish tagging programs, and helped found California’s ‘Rigs-to-Reefs’ program.[3]
- American companies established in 1958
- Retail companies based in California
- Retail companies established in 1958
- Companies based in Santa Ana, California
- Fishing tournaments
- Fishing equipment
- Organizations based in Santa Ana, California
- Companies based in Orange County, California
- Recreational fishing
- Marine conservation
- Clothing brands
- Clothing retailers
References
- ^ "Roller Guides Are Line Savers". The News Tribune. Long Beach, California. 8 July 1963. p. 42. Retrieved February 9, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Bold, Kathryn (15 June 1995). "Marine Core: At the heart of Milton and Bill Shedd's Bluewater Wear is a love of the sea. That, they say, helps their Irvine-based company make prints that are true to life". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Price, Steve (January 2017), "Corner Office: Casey Shedd and AFTCO", Fishing Tackle Retailer Magazine
- ^ "West snares Tag-Flag crown". Sun Herald. Biloxi, Mississippi. 24 February 1991. p. 51. Retrieved 8 July 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Drift Gill Nets Very Popular, but Also Very Controversial". The News Tribune. Los Angeles, California. 1 May 1998. p. 182. Retrieved 8 July 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Levine, Charlie (July 2007), "Making a Difference In the AFTCO Tag/Flag Tournament, the Big Winners Are the Fish", Marlin Magazine