West Marine Joins Forces With Recreational Fishing and Ocean
Conservation Groups to Launch the 2005 Seafood Miniguide
WATSONVILLE, Calif., June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- West Marine, Inc.,
(NASDAQ:WMAR) which serves the needs of local boaters in over 380 communities
throughout the U.S. and Canada, today announced its extraordinary partnership
with recreational fishing groups: United Anglers of Southern California,
Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), and marine conservation groups: Oceana
and Blue Ocean Institute, to produce and distribute the 2005 Seafood
Mini-Guide. The Seafood MiniGuide was created by Blue Ocean Institute
(http://www.blueocean.org/), and was designed to educate seafood lovers about
the worsening plight of certain fish species that are seriously depleted.
"Blue Ocean Institute works to inspire a closer relationship with the sea
through literature like the Seafood MiniGuide," said Carl Safina, co-founder
and president. "Most people do not realize that in spite of the vastness of the
oceans, many fish species are in danger and are not being fished in a
sustainable manner. In addition, millions of tons of "bycatch," fish, birds,
turtles, etc., are unintentionally caught, killed and dumped back into the sea
each year." "We believe by working together on this very critical issue we can have healthy
oceans and plentiful fishing for generations," said Randy Repass, chairman and
founder of West Marine. "Consumers can make a difference by using a Seafood
MiniGuide to make informed choices when dining in a restaurant or shopping at a
grocery store." Seafood MiniGuides will be available at all West Marine and Boat U.S. stores
this summer. To download a copy of the Seafood MiniGuide or to gather
information on your favorite fish go to http://www.blueocean.org/. For
questions or comments about the guide, contact Blue Ocean Institute at or
phone 631-367-0063.
ABOUT BLUE OCEAN INSTITUTE Blue Ocean Institute works to inspire a new relationship with the sea through
science, art and literature. Group projects develop compassionate and positive
solutions for ocean conservation and share reliable information that enlightens
personal choices, instills hope and helps restore living abundance in the
oceans.
ABOUT OCEANA Oceana campaigns to protect and restore the world's oceans. Their teams of
marine scientists, economists, lawyers and advocates win specific and concrete
policy changes to reduce pollution and to prevent the irreversible collapse of
fish populations, marine mammals and other sea life. Global in scope and
dedicated to conservation, Oceana has campaigners based in North America
(Washington, DC; Juneau, AK; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Portland,
Oregon; the Mid-Atlantic and New England), Europe (Madrid, Spain; Brussels,
Belgium) and South America (Santiago, Chile). More than 300,000 members and
e-activists in over 150 countries have already joined Oceana.
ABOUT UNITED ANGLERS ASSOCIATION United Anglers of Southern California is a not-for-profit organization made up
of volunteers dedicated to the preservation of the marine environment. It
represents sport fishermen from all parts of the United States who would like
to pass on the sport they love to future generations. United Anglers
recognizes the need for commercial fisheries, but opposes the indiscriminate
depletion of the resource for short-term profit.
ABOUT COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) is a non-profit organization comprised
of 15 coastal state chapters spanning the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic seaboard. CCA's strength is drawn from the tens of thousands of recreational saltwater
anglers who make up its membership. From South Texas to the upper reaches of
Maine, CCA's grassroots influence is felt through state capitals, U.S. Congress
and, most importantly, in the conservation and restoration of our coastal
marine resources.
ABOUT WEST MARINE West Marine, Inc. is one of the world's largest specialty retailers of boating
supplies and accessories, with 386 stores in 38 states, Canada and Puerto Rico,
and more than $680 million in annual sales. The Company's successful catalog
and Internet channels offer customers approximately 50,000 products -- far more
than any competitor -- and the convenience of being able to exchange catalog
and Internet purchases at its retail stores. The Company's Port Supply
division is the country's largest wholesale distributor of marine equipment
serving boat manufacturers, marine services, commercial vessel operators and
government agencies. For more information on West Marine's products and store
locations, or to start shopping, visit westmarine.com or call 1-800-BOATING
(1-800-262-8464). DATASOURCE: West Marine, Inc.
CONTACT: Samantha Curley of Sawyer Miller San Francisco, for West Marine, +1-415-399-1002; or Laurie Fried of West Marine, +1-831-761-6944 Web site: http://www.westmarine.com/
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