HOT News from the IGFA - February 2007

By Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications – IGFA PR Counsel

IGFA expands education for Junior Anglers

          The IGFA is expanding its Junior Angler Program with more fun and educational fishing clinics and events reaching out to more youngsters in more areas of the world.

            With the re-allocation of resources for expanded clinics and other outreach events, the IGFA will be phasing out its Junior Angler tournaments including the Mercury/IGFA Junior Angler World Championship after this summer’s fifth annual event.

            “The Junior Angler World Championship has been a great success,” said IGFA coordinator Peter Gaube, “but in the last five years, we’ve witnessed the positive influence and potential of the IGFA Junior Angler Program through educational programs and clinics.” 

            During 2005 the IGFA, with Chevrolet as a title sponsor, held a series of free clinics throughout the state of Florida and found it reached more eager young anglers ages 16 and under along with their parents.

            “The kid’s clinics were a great outlet for families to bond and share time together in the enjoyment of the outdoors,” said Gaube.

            From those efforts the IGFA has developed a plan to allow the Junior Angler Program to reach more young anglers globally. 

            “Starting this year the plan includes a series of fishing clinics hosted at various events and in conjunction with adult tournaments worldwide giving us an opportunity to interact with more youngsters and families,” said Gaube.

            “Depending on the event the IGFA Education staff will be teaching casting, knot tying, ethics, regulations, the right kind of equipment to use, what’s harmful to the fish, biology, catch-and-release and more.

            “Along with some tremendous sponsors the focus on the positive new growth and direction will provide more opportunities for more youngsters,” added Gaube.

            For additional information about the Junior Angler Program, please contact Peter Gaube at 954-924-4247 or via e-mail at pgaube@igfa.org  or Dawn Walker at 954-924-4335 or dwalker@igfa.org. 

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AFTCO and IGFA Conservation Awards presented

            One of the highlights of the 23^rd annual IGFA Auction & Banquet at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A., was the presentation of numerous conservation awards.   

            The Gil Keech Heavy Tackle Award established in 1998, by the Ocean City (Md.) Light Tackle Club was presented to Captain Peter B. Wright.

            The Bob Herder Light Tackle Award started in 2005 also by the OCLTC and the IGFA, was presented to Michael Levitt.         

            The AFTCO Tag/Flag Conservation Awards were presented to tournament angler winners and captains for tagging the most fish of each category. The anglers included Sam Jennings (blue marlin), Bob DeGabreille (white marlin), Jules Boudreau (tuna) and Susan Royal (swordfish). DeGabreille was named Angler of the Year.  The top captains included Mike Lemon (blue marlin), Bubba Carter (white marlin), Ray Rosher (sailfish), Gary Cannell (tuna) and Burt Moss (swordfish).  Carter was awarded Captain of the Year.

            Additional IGFA Conservation Awards were presented to honor those who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the cause of conservation in the freshwater, saltwater and fly fishing communities.

            They included the Coastal Conservation Association for significant multi-tier work in such areas as establishing net bans and the recovery of numerous species of fish; to Dr. John Graves, Virginia Institute of Marine Science for his research on tuna and billfish issues, and to Esteban Graupera Monar, IGFA Representative in Palma de Mallorca, Spain for bringing about the First Mediterranean Congress of Salt Water Recreational Angling, in 2006.  

 

(photo caption): Pictured from left to right are AFTCO Tag/Flag Award winners John Jennings, Jules Boudreau, Bob DeGabrielle, Capt. Burt Moss, Capt. Gary Cannell, Capt. Bubba Carter and Capt. Ray Rosher.  IGFA President Rob Kramer, and Bill Shedd, IGFA Trustee and President of AFTCO are in the background.

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 California’s Paxson Offield named to IGFA Board of Trustees

            Paxson H. Offield, a gentleman long known for his work in conservation on many fronts, especially along the Pacific coast, has been named to the International Game Fish Association’s (IGFA) Board of Trustees.

            Offield, of Avalon, California, is chairman of the board of the Santa Catalina Island Company, a family owned corporation involved in the stewardship of developable lands in Catalina Island.  He’s also a benefactor member of the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy and was its first chairman of the board.

            A graduate from the University of Denver in 1975 with a degree in economics, he taught at the Catalina Island School from 1976-78, before being asked by his family to join the century old Santa Catalina Island Company. Formed in 1894 the company has been guided by the Wrigley and Offield families since 1919. 

            A dedicated conservationist, Offield is the past chairman and current board member of The Billfish Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of billfish populations worldwide through scientific research, education and advocacy.  He is the former chairman and current board member of The Peregrine Fund, a worldwide organization dedicated to preserving birds of prey. 

            Last October, Offield received the Commendador Award from the President of Panama for work through the Peregrine Fund on the reintroduction of the Harpy Eagle, the national bird of Panama. He was also awarded the 2006 Conservation Medal from the Zoological Society of San Diego this past December.

            Paxson is also chairman of the Catalina Seabass Fund, dedicated to the restoration of seabass and other fisheries in Southern California waters, a past president of the Avalon Tuna Club, the world’s oldest sportfishing club and board member of the Center for the Reproduction of Endangered Species of the San Diego Zoological Society. He’s also been involved in developing satellite tags for tagging billfish in Pacific waters for several years, to track migration and other data on billfish. Offield is the chairman of the Offield Center for Billfish Studies, under the auspices of the Marine Conservation Science Institute (MCSI), of which he is a founding board member. Offield is also a director of the Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies at USC and has endowed the Paxson H. Offield Professor of Fishery Population Ecology now held by Dennis Hedgecock at USC.

            He has three Tuna Club record fish using three thread linen and 8 lb. Dacron and has been recognized twice as the club’s angler of the year.  He participates when he can at the International Masters Angling Tournament in Cancun.

            “I’m thrilled and honored to be named to the IGFA’s Board of Trustees,” said Offield. “The Pacific coast, particularly California, has many fine IGFA representatives and members, many who I have known as friends for several decades from both my work and recreational fishing.” 

            “Paxson is a great addition to the IGFA board of trustees,” said IGFA President Rob Kramer. “His efforts along the Pacific coast as not only a conservationist and sportsman but as a steward of both land and sea are well recognized. His expertise in pelagic and billfish fisheries will be a big asset to our work at the IGFA.”   

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The IGFA Inshore World Championship adds fifth continent

            The number of qualifying tournaments continues to expand with the IGFA Inshore World Championship adding a fifth continent to its growing list of IGFA sanctioned fly and light tackle events for the 2008 championship.

            Europe is now in the global mix as the long involved Redbone tournament series will host the newest IGFA IWC qualifier with the A.C.A. Red Dragon Redbone in Wales, United Kingdom, June 12-14 fishing for Atlantic salmon, German brown and rainbow trout. 

            “Besides the tournaments here in North America which includes events in the U.S., Canada, the Bahamas, Costa Rica and Mexico, we also have qualifying tournaments in Uganda, Africa; the Northern Territory of Australia and Brazil, South America,” said IGFA IWC tournament coordinator Denise Hartman. “And each week we continue to receive interest from tournament directors wanting to become an IGFA sanctioned qualifying event. It’s a prestigious element to their tournament for the winners to receive invitations to this world class competition.”     

For the seventh straight year Islamorada, Florida, U.S.A., will be the location for the three-day catch-and-release championship event July 8 - 11.   

            Winners of over 50 IGFA qualifying tournaments held around the globe in 2006 have been invited to compete in the championship, unofficially called by many the “super bowl” of light tackle and fly fishing. From a drawing on the opening night, the qualifiers will be paired with a different premier Keys guide each day fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook and redfish.

For the latest details, go to the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org and select the fishing tab on the home page and click on “tournaments.” For questions regarding the IGFA IWC, contact tournament coordinator Ms. Hartman at 954-927-2628 or dhartman@igfa.org

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IGFA Adds Third Series to Popular Offshore Fishing Classes

            The new IGFA School of Sport Fishing, launched this past fall by the IGFA in association with Saltwater Professional Consulting, has added, plus expanded with a third series of seven classes this spring.  

            “We not only continue to get great feedback and attendance for our original series of topics (swordfishing, wrecks & reefs, sailfish, dolphin & wahoo), but saw interest in two new subjects,” said IGFA coordinator Peter Gaube.

            “And because there was so much information and interest in sailfishing we have split that course into separate classes on two nights. In addition we have added another hour to each of the classes making it four-hours from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m.”

            The new spring seminar season for the IGFA School of Sportfishing includes:

• March 13  – Building Blocks of Sportfishing
• March 27  – All About Bait
• April 10 -- Successful Swordfishing
• April 17  – Taking Advantage of Wrecks and Reefs
• April 24 -- Understanding Sailfish – Part I 
• May 1 – Dolphin and Wahoo Secrets
• May 8 -- Understanding Sailfish – Part II

            The classes, all scheduled on Tuesday nights, are taught at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum.

            With a class size limit of 20 anglers the School of Sport Fishing offers a unique experience for anglers who want to obtain the skills, information and techniques necessary to maximize their overall success on the water. Each course features hands-on instruction where anglers have a chance to interact and learn from fisherman who they would usually only see on television or read about in fishing magazines.

            “These anglers and captains are not only some of the best fisherman in each respective discipline, but are also willing and able to share their knowledge with you,” said Gaube. 

            For more details and to register, go to the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org or contact Peter Gaube at 954-924-4247 or via e-mail at pgaube@igfa.org

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 New Pending World Records

            Each month the International Game Fish Association highlights a selection of documented fish catches made across the globe submitted for world records. IGFA world records coordinator Rebecca Reynolds provided the following information on these recent submissions of 10 potential records before the world records committee. 

 

Off the coast of Golfito, Costa Rica, Roberta Arostegui, Coral Gables, Fla., USA, landed a Pacific sierra mackerel (Scomberomorus sierra) weighing 3.96 kg (8 lb 12 oz) in 12 minutes trolling live bait fishing with 08 kg (16 lb) line. She’s hoping to best the current women’s line class record of 6 lb 13 oz recorded March 10, 2006 in the same area. (Photo: Pacific sierra mackerel - 07010010)

 

Another long standing record of over 20 years may be broken by Greg Amiel, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, who landed a walleye (Sander vitreum) in five minutes weighing 11 lb 0 oz. (4.98 kg) while trolling a lure on 1 kg (2 lb) class line, in the Bay of Quiente, Picton, Ontario, Canada. The current record fish of 10 lb 6 oz was caught April 18, 1984 near Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.  (Photo: walleye – 07010014)

 

In the junior boy’s small fry division, Kouta Miyazaki, 8, Fukuoka, Japan, landed a Japanese seabass (Suzuki) (Lateolabrax japonicus) in 20 minutes while trolling Hakata Bay, Fukuoka, Japan.  The fish weighed 11 lb 7 oz (5.20 kg) and may beat the current 10 lb 6 oz recorded November 25, 2004 in the same waters. (Photo: Japanese seabass – 07010019)

 

In South Africa, Trevor Hansen, fishing his home waters of Jeffrey’s Bay, is hoping to fill a vacant line class record after landing a meagre (Argyrosomus hololepidotus) on 03 kg (6 lb ) line. After a 20 minute fight the fish weighed in at 6.98 kg (15 lb 6 oz). (Photo: meagre – 07010021)

 

A potential all-tackle record may be in store for New Zealand’s A. G. Hamilton, of Whangarei, who landed a 300 kg (660 lb 6 oz) Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) in ninety minutes while fishing Greymouth, New Zealand.  The current record is 617 lb 4 oz caught September 10, 2005 at Hokitika Trench, New Zealand. (Photo: Pacific bluefin tuna – 07010024)

 

Also from New Zealand, six-year old Bailey McIntyre, of Kaes, landed a tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) weighing 16.7 kg (36 lb 13 oz) in 20 minutes while fishing Whangaroa, New Zealand.  The young angler has applied to fill a vacant male smallfry category. (Photo: tope shark – 07010025)

 

George Bogen, Los Angeles, California, USA, may see his name added to two new all-tackle records while fishing off Oahu, Hawaii, USA. He first landed a Brigham’s snapper (Pristipomoides zonatus) weighing 1.22 kg (2 lb 11 oz) while drift fishing Koko Head. In addition Bogen landed a marsh’s snapper (Etelis marsh’s) weighing 1.36 kg (3 lb 0 oz) fishing Mauna Loa Bay. (Photos: Brigham’s snapper – 07010029, and marsh’s snapper - 07010030)

 

Fishing on Watchauge Pond in Charlestown, R.I., USA. Douglas J. Colley of Pawcatuck, Connecticut, USA, landed a chain pickerel (Esox Niger) in eight minutes using 02 kg (4 lb) class line. The current line class record is 6 lb 8 oz caught in Milton, Del., March 1, 2004. (Photo: chain pickerel – 07010031)

 

While bottom fishing the waters off Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA, Cindy Meloy, of nearby Egg Harbor Township, N.J. landed a tautog (Tautoga onitis) weighing 7.31 kg (16 lb 2 oz) on 10 kg (20 lb) line class in three minutes. The current women’s 20 lb line class record is 12 lb 12 oz caught October 21, 1985. (Photo: tautog – 07010032)

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IGFA voices opposition to halibut decision for recreational fishermen

            The IGFA has issued a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce in opposition to the International Halibut Commission’s (IPHC) decision to impose a one halibut bag limit on the recreational halibut charter fleet.

            In a February letter sent to Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez, IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser said the IGFA is very concerned over the IPHC’s decision to impose a single halibut bag limit on the recreational halibut charter fleet. 

            Schratwieser said there are several reasons why we do not support the IPHC’s decision. 

            “First and foremost, the current allocation between the commercial and recreational sectors is far from equitable.   The commercial halibut fishery, including by-catch and undersized waste, currently harvests nearly 80 million pounds of halibut annually.  In contrast, the recreational harvest is approximately 9 million pounds, or roughly 40% of commercial by-catch and undersize waste alone.  Furthermore, the role of regional fisheries management organizations, such as the IPHC, is to issue quotas to participating countries, not to define allocation between user groups. 

            “Halibut allocation issues in the United States should be under the purview of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.”  

            He said there is no biological data that suggests that halibut are either over fished or undergoing over fishing, especially from the recreational charter boat fishery.

            “Halibut is one of the most important recreational stocks in Alaska and also a major component to the Alaskan economy.” continued Schratwieser.  “This fishery deserves better management and we urged the Department of Commerce to develop a fishery management plan for it that would make the halibut fishery pursuant to National Standards dictated in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and also provide equitable allocation between recreational and commercial fisheries.”

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 “Deal or No Deal” for Hall of Famer Martin
            IGFA Fishing Hall of Famer and retired bass pro Roland Martin was a surprise guest on the NBC game show Deal or No Deal recently. He was on the set of the popular prime time show trying to entice one of his fans to "take the deal," worth more than $100,000 to the contestant. It included cash, a boat and a fishing trip on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee with the legendary angler, but the contestant turned it down.

            According to The Outdoor Wire, Martin said “it was a great experience. They flew me out to Hollywood to tape the show. The guy evidently had mentioned that he loved to fish and I was one of his bass-fishing heroes. He didn't know I was going to be one of the prizes. He almost took the deal, but it was still early in the game. It was cool being part of the show and then going backstage and meeting everybody."

            Taped in November, Martin was under a gag order until the show aired.

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Hall of Fame and Museum featured in N. Y. City winter promotion

            New Yorkers got a sample of what it’s like to fight a fish and more awareness of the IGFA as the association assisted the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau with a promotion in Union Square in downtown New York City recently.  

            The theme of the weeklong January promotion was “New Yorkers live in 212…and play in 954.” Inside New Yorkers were able to sample a selection of warm weather activities including a virtual fishing exhibit courtesy of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum.  

            “It brought a lot of great attention to the Hall of Fame and Museum,” said the IGFA’s Joanie Tomli