A whale of a field trip

January 4, 2016

When La Mesa resident Frank Ursitti became the managing partner of Point Loma-based H&M Landing in April, he had already been in the sportfishing and ecotourism business for 39 years.

“I’ve been a career Southern California sportfishing guy,” he said. “It’s been an incredible ride, that’s for sure.”

As the man who is now in charge of the day-to-day operations of the West Coast’s largest and most diversified fleet of sportfishing boats, Ursitti is already making changes to grow H&M by expanding its school whale-watching program to San Diego.

Ursitti founded Channel Islands Whale Watching in 2000 which offered whale watching and natural tours around Channel Islands National Park.

“Our business is hugely successful up north and now given the opportunity here as managing partner of H&M, we’re going to put some of those programs in place –– i.e. our school program for whale watching.”

The whale-watching school program will offer teachers both pre- and post-trip curriculum that meets state standards so their students will be well-prepped when they come as well as activities when they return to the classroom, Ursitti said.

Each boat has naturalists on board to talk about the natural history, population decline and over-harvesting of whales. Boats also include a library, models of whales (Ursitti calls them “action figures”); and will soon have samples of baleen and krill for students to learn about how whales feed.

Whale conservation is one of the biggest lessons for students who learn about how the grey whale was hunted to the brink extinction twice and how protecting whale species is positive for both environmental and economical reasons.

“If you really look at it on a global scale, whales are worth far more today in terms of ecotourism dollars than they ever were as a product for oil, food, etc. So we talk about the importance of that conservation.”

“Growing up in this industry, we never would see [whale migrations] occurring on a consistent basis, but we have in recent decades,” he said. “Whaling, globally, is at an all-time low and that certainly sets the stage for species recovery.”

Modern production of products is also a reason for whale populations returning. “We produce so many things synthetically that we don’t need to go after whales for oil or for meat.”

And with more whales there are more tourists wanting to experience them in the ocean.

“Ecotourism is booming here in Southern California. Everyone wants to go out and see nature in the wild –– not necessarily in a wild animal park or in a zoo –– and there’s no greater experience than whale watching here in Southern California. Here you can go out and see an animal that knows no boundaries, knows no barricades and is doing what it does in its natural environment.”

The whale-watching program for schools is new to the Point Loma boats at H&M Landing, but the company has offered another program for schools here for almost 30 years –– the Marine Floating Lab. “[The program] is one of the most tactile approaches to introducing students to the marine environment,” said Ursitti.

Students learn physical oceanography by using a mud grabber for sediment samples; a secci disc device to measure water clarity; a sounding to check depth; and an anemometer for wind speed.

Students learn about ocean biology by dredging for organisms; using a touch tank to handle animals collected with an otter trawl; and viewing plankton under a microscope in a lab. “Students will break down a sample of water and they can see exactly what’s in there as far as phyto or zooplankton so they can get a really good idea of the food chain.”

The Floating Lab is a popular field trip that around 10,000 students experience annually, Ursitti said. “We have students that come from the desert, Arizona, north of Orange County, San Diego County, of course. We have a group of 300 students [from Oceanside] coming in two weeks and we’ll use multiple boats.”

The success of the Floating Lab gives Ursitti confidence that the whale-watching program will also be a big hit with schools and teachers wanting to give students something memorable and educational in a field trip experience. Most of all, though, it is the now-predictable whale migrations that make it possible to offer students and tourists a first-class whale-watching experience.

“January into April, it would be very rare not to see a grey whale,” he said. “As we get into the summertime, we have fin and blue whales. We see southbound pods on their way to Baja Mexico calving lagoons. March and April will see northbound grey whales with mothers and calf pairs and spring to early summer we see humpback whales in our region.”

Click here For more information on H&M Landing’s school programs, whale-watching tours or sportfishing trips, or call 619-222-1144.

Original article by Jeff Clemetson | La Mesa Courier
Click here to see the full article.

Ailing Ohio teen gets special treatment here

January 4, 2016

The giving spirit is alive and well in the hearts of San Diegans as one good deed blossomed into another, then another, for a visiting family from Oberlin, Ohio.

A Special Wish Foundation is Ohio’s version of the nonprofit Make-A-Wish Foundation created to grant special requests to children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

Kyle Riggs, 17, has Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Instead of the often-requested trip to Disneyland, Kyle wanted to come to San Diego to see the zoo, safari park, SeaWorld, a Chargers game and, especially, to go ocean fishing.

The foundation covered or secured donations for the flights, nine-day San Diego Marriott stay and rental car for Kyle, his mom, Cindy Carrico, and his sister, Cayla. 13. The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park offered complimentary passes.

When Marcia Allen, of the Ohio foundation, asked H&M Landing for a discount on a private charter for Kyle and his family, its staff contacted charter Capt. John Guest. He not only offered the trip for free (a $1,000 value), he called some of his friends.

As a result, the Everingham Brothers Bait Co. is donating the bait and Capt. Guest’s past employer at Toyota of Escondido is underwriting the fuel cost and lunch.

Kyle arrived Monday, too late to see the final Chargers home game, but when Capt. Guest learned that Kyle was a Chargers fan, he contacted the team’s front office and was assured the Chargers would arrange a special surprise for Kyle.

H&M Landing employees asked state Fish and Wildlife folks to donate or discount the family’s fishing licenses. Upon finding out that wasn’t possible, staff members chipped in to pay the license cost.

Kyle’s half-day fish outing is set to depart at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow with Capt. Guest at the helm. The name of Guest’s fishing boat says it all: “Faith.”

Original article by Diane Bell | Dec. 23, 2015 | The San Diego Union-Tribune
Click here to see the full article.

Kids Free Month in San Diego throughout October

January 4, 2016

SAN DIEGO — “Oh, my legs are tired.”

I expected to hear those words from my 4-year-old niece after a long day at Legoland, not on the short walk to the ticket booth at 11 a.m.

Fortunately, the weariness passed quickly because we had a lot of walking to do over three days. The goal: to show how much families could reasonably cram into a mini-vacation in San Diego featuring the city’s marquee attractions this fall.

October is the most affordable month to visit San Diego with younger children because of the city’s annual Kids Free promotion. Kids are admitted free to major attractions, including Legoland, the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld — budget busters the rest of the year — as well as museums, tours, harbor cruises and activities, all with paid adult admission.

Age ranges for the free admission vary by attraction, with age 9 a common cutoff. Some activities, including sport-fishing, sailing, surfing and animal encounters at SeaWorld, offer free tickets for older children, including some teens. New this year: a helicopter tour and a gondola ride.

Hotels and restaurants offer kids perks, too, but most aren’t as valuable as the savings on tours and attractions. Hotels are generally more affordable in October than peak season as long as you avoid dates when a major convention is in town… San Diego Kids free in October promotions, Half-day fishing trip at H&M Landing: 619-222-1144, hmlanding.com.

Original article by Dawn Gilbertson, The Republic | azcentral.com
Click here to see the full article.

January 3, 2016

January 3, 2016

 

 

THE PREMIER IS RUNNING FOR SURE ALL NEXT WEEK (WEATHER PERMITTING)  MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 8AM -3PM   PASSPORTS REQUIRED    $85 INCLUDES MEXICAN PERMIT AND TOURIST VISA.

WHALE WATCHING IS IN FULL SWING AND IT HAS BEEN EXCELLENT, SEEING LOTS OF GRAY WHALES, DOLPHINS AND SEA LIONS!!!      

2016 PRIVATE CHARTER RATES ARE PUBLISHED! BOOK EARLY TO SECURE THE PRIME DATE AND TRIP OF CHOICE ON YOUR FAVORITE BOAT!

January 1, 2016

January 1, 2016

THE PREMIER STARTED WEEKDAY WINTER ROCK COD TRIPS WITH LIMITS!     

RUNNING FOR SURE ALL NEXT WEEK (weather permitting)  MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 8AM -3PM   PASSPORTS REQUIRED    $85 INCLUDES MEXICAN PERMIT AND TOURIST VISA.

WHALE WATCHING IS IN FULL SWING AND IT HAS BEEN EXCELLENT, SEEING LOTS OF GRAY WHALES, DOLPHINS AND SEA LIONS!!!      

2016 PRIVATE CHARTER RATES ARE PUBLISHED! BOOK EARLY TO SECURE THE PRIME DATE AND TRIP OF CHOICE ON YOUR FAVORITE BOAT!

H & M LANDING IS PROUD TO BE HOSTING A HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE BENEFITING THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK! YOU CAN DROP OFF YOUR CANNED FOOD DONATION ITEMS DIRECTLY AT OUR OFFICE. YOU CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE BY MAKING YOUR CONTRIBUTION THRU OUR VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE SITE: HTTP://WWW.FOODDRIVEONLINE.ORG/SANDIEGOFOODBANK/HMLANDING

DECEMBER 30TH, 2015

December 30, 2015

THE CHIEF HAS A 1-1/2 DAY TRIP TO COLNETT FISHING FOR ROCKCOD DEPARTING FRIDAY NIGHT.  PASSPORTS REQUIRED.

WHALE WATCHING IS IN FULL SWING AND IT HAS BEEN EXCELLENT, SEEING LOTS OF GRAY WHALES, DOLPHINS AND SEA LIONS!!!

JANUARY 1ST THE PREMIER STARTS WINTER ROCK COD TRIPS (THIS FRIDAY THEY ARE RUNNING FOR SURE!!!)                  MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 8AM -3PM   PASSPORTS REQUIRED    $85 INCLUDES MEXICAN PERMIT AND TOURIST VISA.

2016 PRIVATE CHARTER RATES ARE PUBLISHED! BOOK EARLY TO SECURE THE PRIME DATE AND TRIP OF CHOICE ON YOUR FAVORITE BOAT!

H & M LANDING IS PROUD TO BE HOSTING A HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE BENEFITING THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK! YOU CAN DROP OFF YOUR CANNED FOOD DONATION ITEMS DIRECTLY AT OUR OFFICE. YOU CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE BY MAKING YOUR CONTRIBUTION THRU OUR VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE SITE: HTTP://WWW.FOODDRIVEONLINE.ORG/SANDIEGOFOODBANK/HMLANDING

December 29th, 2015

December 29, 2015

THE CHIEF HAS A 1-1/2 DAY TRIP TO COLNETT FISHING FOR ROCKCOD DEPARTING FRIDAY NIGHT.  PASSPORTS REQUIRED.

WHALE WATCHING IS IN FULL SWING AND IT HAS BEEN EXCELLENT, SEEING LOTS OF GRAY WHALES, DOLPHINS AND SEA LIONS!!!

JANUARY 1ST THE PREMIER STARTS WINTER ROCK COD TRIPS (THIS FRIDAY THEY ARE RUNNING FOR SURE!!!)                  MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 8AM -3PM   PASSPORTS REQUIRED    $85 INCLUDES MEXICAN PERMIT AND TOURIST VISA.

2016 PRIVATE CHARTER RATES ARE PUBLISHED! BOOK EARLY TO SECURE THE PRIME DATE AND TRIP OF CHOICE ON YOUR FAVORITE BOAT!

H & M LANDING IS PROUD TO BE HOSTING A HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE BENEFITING THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK! YOU CAN DROP OFF YOUR CANNED FOOD DONATION ITEMS DIRECTLY AT OUR OFFICE. YOU CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE BY MAKING YOUR CONTRIBUTION THRU OUR VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE SITE: HTTP://WWW.FOODDRIVEONLINE.ORG/SANDIEGOFOODBANK/HMLANDING

December 28th, 2015

December 28, 2015

December 27th

December 27, 2015

WHALE WATCHING IS IN FULL SWING, SEEING GRAY WHALES, DOLPHINS AND SEA LIONS!!!

JANUARY 1ST THE PREMIER STARTS WINTER ROCK COD TRIPS!     MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 8AM -3PM      PASSPORTS REQUIRED                          $85 INCLUDES MEXICAN PERMIT AND TOURIST VISA.

2016 PRIVATE CHARTER RATES ARE PUBLISHED! BOOK EARLY TO SECURE THE PRIME DATE AND TRIP OF CHOICE ON YOUR FAVORITE BOAT!

H & M LANDING IS PROUD TO BE HOSTING A HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE BENEFITING THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK! YOU CAN DROP OFF YOUR CANNED FOOD DONATION ITEMS DIRECTLY AT OUR OFFICE. YOU CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE BY MAKING YOUR CONTRIBUTION THRU OUR VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE SITE: HTTP://WWW.FOODDRIVEONLINE.ORG/SANDIEGOFOODBANK/HMLANDING

December 23, 2015

December 23, 2015

December 21st, 2015

December 21, 2015

December 18th

December 18, 2015

 

GREAT WHALE WATCHING TODAY INCLUDING A MOM & HER CALF!   GET IN ON THE EXCITEMENT AND BOOK NOW!

COME OUT AND JOIN THE OLD GLORY FOR THE SAN DIEGO PARADE OF LIGHTS  THEY WILL DEPART AT 5:30 PM ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 20TH.  DRESS WARM AND BRING YOUR HOLIDAY SPIRIT, IT IS SURE TO BE A FUN TIME!!!

JANUARY 1ST THE PREMIER STARTS WINTER ROCK COD TRIPS!     MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 8AM -3PM      PASSPORTS REQUIRED                          $85 INCLUDES MEXICAN PERMIT AND TOURIST VISA.

2016 PRIVATE CHARTER RATES ARE PUBLISHED! BOOK EARLY TO SECURE THE PRIME DATE AND TRIP OF CHOICE ON YOUR FAVORITE BOAT!

H & M LANDING IS PROUD TO BE HOSTING A HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE BENEFITING THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK! YOU CAN DROP OFF YOUR CANNED FOOD DONATION ITEMS DIRECTLY AT OUR OFFICE. YOU CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE BY MAKING YOUR CONTRIBUTION THRU OUR VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE SITE: HTTP://WWW.FOODDRIVEONLINE.ORG/SANDIEGOFOODBANK/HMLANDING

December 15th, 2015

December 15, 2015

SEE OLDER NEWS

December 13th

December 13, 2015

COME OUT AND JOIN THE OLD GLORY FOR THE SAN DIEGO PARADE OF LIGHTS  THEY WILL DEPART AT 5:30 PM ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 20TH.  DRESS WARM AND BRING YOUR HOLIDAY SPIRIT, IT IS SURE TO BE A FUN TIME!!!

JANUARY 1ST THE PREMIER STARTS WINTER ROCK COD TRIPS!     MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 8AM -3PM      PASSPORTS REQUIRED                          $85 INCLUDES MEXICAN PERMIT AND TOURIST VISA.

2016 PRIVATE CHARTER RATES ARE PUBLISHED! BOOK EARLY TO SECURE THE PRIME DATE AND TRIP OF CHOICE ON YOUR FAVORITE BOAT!

H & M LANDING IS PROUD TO BE HOSTING A HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE BENEFITING THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK! YOU CAN DROP OFF YOUR CANNED FOOD DONATION ITEMS DIRECTLY AT OUR OFFICE. YOU CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE BY MAKING YOUR CONTRIBUTION THRU OUR VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE SITE: HTTP://WWW.FOODDRIVEONLINE.ORG/SANDIEGOFOODBANK/HMLANDING

December 9th 2015

December 9, 2015

Come out and join the Old Glory for the San Diego Parade of lights  They will depart at 5:30 pm on Sunday December 20th.  Dress warm and bring your holiday spirit, it is sure to be a fun time!!!

JANUARY 1ST THE PREMIER STARTS WINTER ROCK COD TRIPS!     MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 8AM -3PM      PASSPORTS REQUIRED                          $85 INCLUDES MEXICAN PERMIT AND TOURIST VISA.

2016 PRIVATE CHARTER RATES ARE PUBLISHED! BOOK EARLY TO SECURE THE PRIME DATE AND TRIP OF CHOICE ON YOUR FAVORITE BOAT!

H & M LANDING IS PROUD TO BE HOSTING A HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE BENEFITING THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK! YOU CAN DROP OFF YOUR CANNED FOOD DONATION ITEMS DIRECTLY AT OUR OFFICE. YOU CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE BY MAKING YOUR CONTRIBUTION THRU OUR VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE SITE: HTTP://WWW.FOODDRIVEONLINE.ORG/SANDIEGOFOODBANK/HMLANDING

December 9th, 2015

December 9, 2015

STILL CATCHING TUNA IN DECEMBER?  THE ANSWER IS YES.  WE HAVE 3/4 DAY, FULL DAY AND 1-1/2 DAY TRIPS SCHEDULED.                                        DO NOT MISS OUT BOOK YOUR TRIP NOW!!!

December 7, 2015

December 7, 2015

Starting 12/1o/2015 the Fisherman III will be fishing the Coronado Islands for slug winter yellowtail and rockfish!  Passports are required so come prepared for a great time fishing for some real quality fish!

December 20th: San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Join the fun aboard the Old Glory and watch the Parade, dress warm! $25.00 make reservations before this boat sells out too 619-222-1144.

JANUARY 1ST THE PREMIER STARTS WINTER ROCK COD TRIPS! MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 8AM -3PM PASSPORTS REQUIRED $85 INCLUDES MEXICAN PERMIT AND TOURIST VISA.

2016 PRIVATE CHARTER RATES ARE PUBLISHED! BOOK EARLY TO SECURE THE PRIME DATE AND TRIP OF CHOICE ON YOUR FAVORITE BOAT!

H & M LANDING IS PROUD TO BE HOSTING A HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE BENEFITING THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK! YOU CAN DROP OFF YOUR CANNED FOOD DONATION ITEMS DIRECTLY AT OUR OFFICE. YOU CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE BY MAKING YOUR CONTRIBUTION THRU OUR VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE SITE: HTTP://WWW.FOODDRIVEONLINE.ORG/SANDIEGOFOODBANK/HMLANDING

12/07/2015

December 7, 2015

Starting 12/1o/2015 the Fisherman III will be fishing the Coronado Islands for slug winter yellowtail and rockfish!  Passports are required so come prepared for a great time fishing for some real quality fish!