More updates from the Business Meeting last weekend. Chief Jim Dexter gave a talk about the Covid relief funds (CARES) additional funding passed by Congress in mid June 2021 for the Great Lakes. These funds are available to our Captains. Presently NOAA Fisheries is in the process of working with the states to identify all licensed fishing entities. We know this has taken some time But it appears the ball is now moving. MDNR Fisheries Division will be sending out packets mid December.The funds will be distributed by the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, In a conversation yesterday with Bob Lanke , GLFC will have a press release out soon. As many of you know, the Atlantic states received the first go-around of CARES funds, charter fleets in Florida, Lobsterman in Maine, etc.. were able to subsidize their losses. Now, funds are available for the Great Lakes. MCBA announced this in the fall Cannonball. And Dexter spoke at the Annual meeting. We will do our best to keep the membership updated. For right now questions need to be directed to the DNR. There will be more posted as soon as the details are finalized.
This year in Bay City at the Annual meeting, MCBA gave out two Pistis Awards, one for 2020 and the second for 2021 went to Captain Eric Andersen of Andersen Charters.
Soon after becoming an MCBA member, Eric was approached by Captain Frank English, our past president, and asked if he would be interested or willing to become a board director for Northern Lake Michigan. Eric accepted and held this position for the next several years until he moved into the Vice President roll in the organization.
After his stay as Vice President, Eric accepted the position of President of the MCBA. During his tenure as President, he led the MCBA through the major salmon plant cuts. Our membership was quite upset with these cuts and we could have lost membership if not handled properly. He made some tough decisions our board wasn’t fully in support of and pulled us through.
Eric still remains an alternate for the MCBA on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee and attends all of their meetings.
In addition to running Anderson Charter Service, Eric is one of the few Master Plumbers in the State of Michigan and has been running his business for over 40 years.
Congrats Eric!
Outstanding Eric!!!
Outstanding and very nice Eric.
A big..big thanks to the MCBA board of directors,officers and membership for this award…It really caught me surprised for this award..at the banquet..awards dinner.. I had been focused with seeing Capt Jim Bennett receiving his award..and had been working on that award..for the last couple of years….I’m looking forward to seeing more older Capts that have many years in MCBA and are worthy of this MCBA annual award from MCBA..many..humble thanks.. Capt Eric Andersen
Thank you for your commitment Eric
The MCBA award is an award given each year to an individual for their contributions to Michigan’s fishing industry. This year‘s award went to retired Captain Jim Bennett. Ask anyone on the Big Manistee about Captain Jim Bennet and you’ll get a true testament of the spirit of sport fishing. For over 50 years, Jim chartered on the lake and guided on the river for salmon and trout. Captain Jim’s dedication and willingness to share his knowledge of the sport makes him the perfect recipient of this year’s award.
Congrats Captain Jim! (pictured Captain Jim Bennett and Captain Eric Andersen (Andersen Charters)
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