Crabs Attack!  T-shirt Sales Help Protect San Francisco’s

Fisheries and Commercial Fishing Industry

Angry crabs attack a San Francisco landmark – on a new tee-shirt featuring the creative design of noted Bay Area cartoonist, Phil Frank, who’s daily “Farley” comic strip appears in the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.  Produced for the San Francisco Crab Boat Owners Association as a fund-raising project by Diver Duck Productions, the shirt displays Frank’s unique humor and his distinctly identifiable artwork. It is available for purchase at some of San Francisco’s busiest tourist emporiums, selected department and clothing stores, and online at www.diverduckproducttions.com.

Shirt Sales Generate Revenue for Educational Outreach

Diver Duck Productions, worked with Frank to create a shirt to appeal to both tourists and Bay Area locals. A portion of the proceeds are donated to the Pacific Coast Fishermen’s Association’s (PCFFA) fisheries education projects.  According to PCFFA director Zeke Grader, “now more than ever, our fisheries are under siege.  The Bush administration is acting as though there is no need to protect our environment as they slowly dismantle many of the protections for natural wildlife and water habitats that were developed over many years with the support of farmers, environmentalists, and fishermen.  Adding to this overall downgrading of the livelihood of commercial fisheries is California’s governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger and his appointed representatives on the Fish and Game Commission.  This unfortunate combination has put the future health of all commercial fisheries, as well as sport fisheries and wetlands, at risk for extinction.  Diver Duck Productions tee-shirt is a way to humorously focus on one of those fisheries under siege, San Francisco’s Dungeness crab.  The revenue we receive from sales of the shirt sllows us to communicate our plight, by educating and encouraging public support to reverse the damage caused by the current political situation.”

Phil “Farley” Frank (and his intrepid bears) Use Humor To Encourage Public Support

Phil Frank, considered a local treasure, is enthusiastically contributing his unique and beloved cartoon perspective to help the local crab boat fleet.  “I spent many years living in Sausalito among the working fishermen who put out to sea, often at great risk to their life, to bring in Dungeness crab, salmon, and many other delicacies.  City dwellers take it for granted that there will be fresh fish in their markets, that the government is working to protect habitats, and that all is well.  All is not well, and if my small contribution for these tee-shirts generates revenue for education; then I and my cartoon characters, will have made a positive contribution.”

Diver Duck Productions Leads the Way

Heading up the creative process is Larry “Diver Duck” Collins, Vice-President of the Crab Boat Owners Association of San Francisco.  “We are honored to have the creative talents of Phil Frank to help us communicate a serious message in a lighthearted way”, says Collins.  “We think that tourists and local residents will enthusiastically respond by wearing our T’s and that’s a great beginning to telling an important story.”

The tee shirts are available at stores throughout Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and selected hotels and clothing stores throughout the Bay Area. They can also be purchased online at www.diverduckproductions.com/