ED ZIERALSKI / Union-Tribune
For more than half a century, it was a rustic place, a busy landing with the banter of fishermen, the loading of boats with anglers and the excitement and nervous energy that surrounds ocean fishing trips.
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For more than half a century, it was a rustic place, a busy landing with the banter of fishermen, the loading of boats with anglers and the excitement and nervous energy that surrounds ocean fishing trips.
Islandia Sportfishing, established years before the adjacent hotel, always was a solid alternative, a landing where you might get onto a less-crowded boat or strike a good deal on a charter.
But these days, Mission Bay Sportfishing, formerly Islandia Sportfishing, is reduced to a tiny counter with a few lures, hooks, deck boots, and a handful of rods and reels stashed in the corner.
Today there's the whir of a blender making designer coffee drinks in the bagel shop that dominates the gift-shoplike building.
Instead of fishermen, there are fitness fanatics and other tourists.
Outside on the promenade, banners advertise the hotel's Swim Lounge and Blue Marble Spa, more evidence that fishing has been displaced by California coastal chic.
At 6:30 a.m. yesterday, there was no fishing news. Two sportboats that remain at the hotel's marina were tied to the dock at sunrise. Inside the landing, it was wide open on bagels and cream cheese and hot drinks.
The end of sportfishing at this landing is near, actually today, if you go by what the managers of the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina have ordered. On Oct. 14, the hotel manager sent 30-day termination notices to the owners of the five sportboats – Dolphin, Dolphin II, Chubasco II, Dominator and Alexes. The hotel treated the boat owners and captains like hotel employees and told them their services no longer were needed.
Three of the sportfishing boats that once docked here have moved to other landings.
Captain Jason Coz of the Dolphin and Captain Gary Abbamonte of the Alexes moved to rival landing and competitor, Seaforth Sportfishing.
Captain Ernie Prieto now ties up the Chubasco II at the Sportsmen's Seafood dock, between the Hyatt's dock and Seaforth's. He said yesterday he will run his own operation there, starting in January or February, after he repowers and remodels his boat.
But Captain Frank D'Anna of the Dominator and Captain Greg Miser of the Dolphin II are defying the Hyatt's order to leave.
“We're going to operate there until they force us out, but if they do that, they're breaking the contract we have,” said Salvatore D'Anna, who represents his family's ownership of the Dominator. “We have a valid contract to 2013, and we're going to fight for our right to stay there and remain independent.”
Miser of the Dolphin II echoed D'Anna's sentiments.
“We have valid contracts that go to 2013,” Miser said. “We've honored our contract and paid them on time. We've done everything they've asked.”
Everything, that is, except get out.
Both boat owners, Miser and Frank D'Anna, sent identical letters to the Hyatt, addressing them to Eron Hodges, the hotel's executive assistant manager, and stating they are not leaving.
Salvatore D'Anna, who is Frank D'Anna's uncle, said the hotel responded with a letter stating it is looking into the issue and will get back to the boat owners on Nov. 24.
Salvatore D'Anna has enlisted the help of San Diego City Councilman Kevin Faulconer, whose District 2 includes Mission Bay. He also sought help from the Berkeley-based California Sportfishing Protection Alliance.
John Beuttler, that organization's conservation director, told D'Anna that the alliance “stands in solidarity with your efforts and that of other sportfishing boats to have the Hyatt Mission Bay fully comply with the Coastal Act and other laws that may apply in this case. Let the Hyatt Mission Bay know we believe their actions are discriminatory, unethical and in violation of the Coastal Act.”
Said Faulconer: “The sports fishing industry is important to San Diego and has been an integral part of Mission Bay. That is why I am working with those involved to assist in any way possible.”
None of that seems to matter today, though. Audrey Doherty, spokeswoman for the Hyatt, said hotel officials believe they have every right to close the fishing operation and order the boats out. She said the hotel is standing by that.
Ed Zieralski: (619) 293-1225; ed.zieralski@uniontrib.com
