IGFA recognises conservation efforts of AFTCO’s Bill Shedd

Bill Shedd, Chairman and former CEO of the American Fishing Tackle Company (AFTCO), is among five angling greats inducted into the 2023 International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Fishing Hall of Fame.

Shedd is synonymous with fisheries conservation in the US and part of a legacy passed down by his father Milt, also a Fishing Hall of Famer.

AFTCO was founded by Milt Shedd when he purchased Axelson Fishing Tackle in 1973 and Bill has built the apparel and tackle business into one of the most respected in the industry. During that time, he has dedicated 500 hours a year to marine resource and recreational fishing industry issues.

He is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Hubbs Sea/Sea World Institute and the Coastal Conservational Association of California. He was Chairman of the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) Government Affairs Committee for 30 years and on the main board of the association for seven. He currently serves on the boards of several other fishing and conservation bodies.

Shedd co-founded the United Anglers of Southern California (UASC), where he led the effort to develop white seabass facilities and played a key role in the UASC’s campaign to eliminate gill nets in the state.

Many other conservation honours have been bestowed on him from bodies including the ASA, the Centre for Sportfishing policy and IGFA. The other 2023 inductees are IGFA world record holder and tournament champion, Roberta Arostegui, fly-fishing adventurer, Kay Rodney, master angler, captain and writer, Dean Butler and Avalon Tuna Club member and conservationist, Gerald Garrett.