The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and the Institute for Fisheries Resources notes the sad news of the passing of Zeke Grader:
Congressman Jared Huffman and Zeke Grader, April 2015
William F. “Zeke” Grader, Jr., the former executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and the Institute for Fisheries Resources, and a fierce advocate for wild fish and the men and women who harvest them, died on September 7 after a long illness. He was 68.Grader was a pivotal figure in the fight to preserve the West Coast’s rivers, estuaries and fisheries, uniting the environmental and commercial fishing communities in common cause.
He was a familiar figure in both Sacramento and Washington, and could be confrontational or charming, depending on the situation and audience. Regardless of approach, his support for sufficient and clean water, abundant fish, and a solvent commercial fishing sector was unwavering.
“Zeke was a prime example of complete dedication to a cause,” said Tim Sloane, the PCFFA’s and IFR’s executive director. “Fisheries protection consumed him. Just a few days before he died, he was working on the preface to a book he was co-‐writing on the history of fishing on the West Coast. His efforts to protect fish and habitat were always guided by his belief that the culture of the fishing community was worth protecting, and he wasn’t afraid of anyone who threatened that culture’s right to exist and thrive.”
Patricia Schifferle, the principal and director of the environmental consulting firm Pacific Advocates, an advisor to PCFFA, and one of Grader’s long-‐time friends, described Grader as “…a great warrior for fishing men and women, salmon, and the ecology of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. What I recall most about Zeke was his ability to cut to the chase and fight against all odds, demanding the water flows essential for the health of our salmon and other species essential to our fishing heritage.”
“Zeke Grader, a legendary defender of fish, fishing communities, the Bay-Delta Estuary and the public trust, passed away Monday night.
The Executive Director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA), Zeke was one of one of the most quotable and witty people I have ever met. I spent many, many hours in meetings, conferences, protests and rallies with him – and he would always come up with the best quote summarizing what happened.
In 2007 when the “marine protected areas” created under the controversial MLPA Initiative went into effect on the Central Coast, Glen Martin, then writing for the San Francisco Chronicle, published one of the most memorable quotes that Zeke ever made:
“For (the reserves) to work, they have to be integrated with a strong water-quality policy,” Grader said. “By themselves, the reserves will afford about as much protection to fisheries as the Maginot Line did for the French in (World War II).”
Whenever I wanted to get a good quote for a story, I would call Zeke. One of the best quotes he gave me was in 2006 when the Bush administration was trying to close down the salmon season in a cynical move to allegedly “protect” the Klamath River. … ”
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“Zeke was a prime example of complete dedication to a cause,” said Tim Sloane, the PCFFA’s and IFR’s executive director. “Fisheries protection consumed him. Just a few days before he died, he was working on the preface to a book he was co-‐writing on the history of fishing on the West Coast. His efforts to protect fish and habitat were always guided by his belief that the culture of the fishing community was worth protecting, and he wasn’t afraid of anyone who threatened that culture’s right to exist and thrive.
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