Ron Ellis

Our friend, fellow fisherman, brother Ron Ellis, was lost to the ocean on February 20th, while swordfishing off San Diego.

His fishing vessel, Defiance, was found drifting at idle, by another fisherman, with no one on board.

Ron has spent much of his commercial fishing career in Santa Barbara, initially as a deckhand, then as a top producing skipper in the crab industry.

He pioneered the experimental Box Crab fishery, establishing a new fishery, while providing data and research, yet was then denied access to this important fishery by CA F&W.

After this denial, Ron had no alternative than to follow his swordfishing efforts and was forced to relocate to San Diego, where he operated the Defiance for the last several years.
His loss is an extreme tragedy, and he will be greatly missed by his family, his fellow fishermen, and friends.

Ron has always been quick with a smile, happy to help in any way, the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back. The gnarliest guy I have ever known.

Fair seas and Godspeed, love to you brother Ron Ellis.

The Ron Ellis Memorial is scheduled for April 1st, 11:30 am at Ledbetter Beach. Ceremony on the beach, followed by paddle out and the circle of boats. All friends are welcome.