Florida

[Jerry LaBella (Admin)]

<font color="000000"><font face="arial,helvetica"><font size="+1">Captain’s Meeting Friday, Sept. 8th Fishing Tournament Sat. Sept. 9th, 2006 </font></font></font>

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[Jerry LaBella (Admin)]

Judge OKs Sportsmen's Involvement in Lawsuit to Defend Hunting- (09/08)
Florida
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A federal court judge will allow the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation to represent hunters’ interests in a lawsuit brought by anti’s to make black bears in Florida off-limits to sportsmen. The suit also creates legal precedent that threatens hunting from coast to coast.

Judge Henry Kennedy, Jr. granted the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) and its Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund (SLDF) permission to join the suit, which was brought by the Humane Society of the United States, Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra Club and other anti-hunting groups. They are suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), contending that the black bear in Florida is a separate sub-species of the North American black bear. The groups argue that the distinction entitles Florida bears to protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

A dangerous precedent will be set if the black bears in Florida are classified as a sub-species and categorized as endangered. It will allow anti-hunters to bring similar lawsuits to challenge the classification of deer, quail and other game animals that have numerous sub-species throughout the country.

Anti’s have tried for years to list Florida’s bears under the ESA, but extensive research by the USFWS has determined that the listing is not warranted. Studies show that healthy bear populations occur in secure habitats in several areas.

The USSAF will join with Safari Club International, Central Florida Bear Hunters Association, and Mark Roden of St. Augustine to intervene in the case.

The SLDF is the nation’s only litigation force that exclusively represents sportsmen’s interests in the courts. It defends wildlife management and sportsmen’s rights in local, state and federal courts, representing the interests of sportsmen. It also assists government lawyers who have little or no background in wildlife law. For more information, e-mail info@ussportsmen.org.

[Jerry LaBella (Admin)]

Sportsmen File in Court to Ensure ESA Not Manipulated to Ban Hunting - (12/15)
Florida
Join our e-mail alert list

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation has filed written arguments in a federal lawsuit brought by anti’s to challenge the endangered status of black bears in Florida and keep them off-limits to hunters. The anti’s want to use the Endangered Species Act as a tool to ban hunting nationwide.



On Dec. 7, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund, the legal arm of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, filed arguments with Judge Henry Kennedy, Jr. defending the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to not list the Florida black bear as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Extensive research by federal wildlife officials has shown that the listing is not warranted. Studies reveal that healthy bear populations occur in secure habitats in several areas.



Anti’s have tried for years to list Florida’s bears under the ESA. In this case, the Humane Society of the United States, Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club, and other anti-hunting groups brought suit contending that the black bear in Florida is a separate sub-species of the North American black bear. The groups argue that the distinction entitles Florida bears to protection under the ESA. They want to establish a precedent that allows the challenge of the endangered or threatened status of any game animal that has numerous sub-species.



The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation has asked Judge Kennedy to forgo a trial and decide the case based solely on written arguments.



The USSAF is joined in the suit by the Central Florida Bear Hunters Assn., Safari Club International and Mark Roden of St. Augustine.

[administrator]

To: All Media For Immediate Release

January 3, 2007 For more information contact:


Kevin Rhoades, krhoades@owaa.org (krhoades@owaa.org)
www.owaa.org (http://www.owaa.org/); 406-728-7434



OWAA Meets with Media, Industry Professionals at 2007 SHOT Show

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), “The Voice of the Outdoors,” will hold a press conference at the 2007 Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Orlando, Fl.

Members of Outdoor Writers Association, friends, industry professionals and members of the media are invited to join OWAA’s board of directors at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan.13, in room N313.

OWAA, the nation’s largest group of professional outdoor communicators, will inform communicators and industry professionals of benefits of networking with 1,700 outdoors communicators representing diverse media.

OWAA’s board will meet the next day for its semi-annual meeting in Orlando, host city of the world’s largest showcase of firearms, hunting and outdoor products.

“OWAA looks forward to showing its flag at the SHOT Show,” said OWAA Chairman of the Board Spencer Turner. “Our participation in this forum is a wonderful opportunity to meet with industry professionals, members of the press and to thank longtime supporters of our association.”

At SHOT, OWAA will introduce its newly revised Outdoor Reference Manual, an indispensable reference for anyone who writes about outdoor activities. The group also will highlight its fellowship and scholarship programs; invite the shooting and hunting community to its June 16-19, 2007, annual conference in Roanoke, Va.; and announce plans for the revision of its Business Guidelines Handbook, another must-have reference for outdoor communicators.

OWAA is a nonprofit, international organization that was founded in 1927 by a small group of hunting and fishing writers. Since then, the organization has grown to approximately 1,700 communicators from the broad, modern spectrum of outdoor beats, from shooting to camping, backpacking to kayaking, wildlife watching and mountain climbing.

From these diverse backgrounds and disciplines, members gather beneath the OWAA banner to hone skills, share philosophies, develop profitable business strategies and network with peers, conservation policymakers and industry trendsetters. OWAA’s membership remains grounded in its historical roots – hunting and fishing communications. However, it continues to broaden its outlook and services to encompass all resource-dependent outdoor activities.

OWAA's national headquarters is located in Missoula, Mont. To learn more about OWAA, “The Voice Of The Outdoors,” call 406-728-7434 or visit www.owaa.org (http://www.owaa.org/).

[administrator]

Bass expert / WaveSpin reel inventor Doug Hannon
named to Outdoor Life 25
PORT RICHEY, Fla. -- Doug Hannon, who was given the moniker “The Bass Professor” several decades ago, has been honored in the latest issue of “Outdoor Life”, as one of the O.L. 25: people “whose lifetime achievement has had the greatest positive influence on hunting and fishing.”
Considered one of the country's preeminent big-bass authorities, Hannon of Odessa, Florida, has documented the catch and releases of over 800 largemouth bass weighing 10 pounds or greater. The multi-dimensional Hannon is also a diver, underwater photographer, author, filmmaker, lure designer and fishing-gear inventor.
“My endeavors in the outdoors have always been focused on seeking the truth and sharing it with our brothers and sisters in the field. As such, I am honored to receive the recognition of Outdoor Life as a member of the OL 25. We may not be able to change the World, but together we can all strive to change the landscape. It is with humility that I say simply, "Thank You!"
Hannon holds 16 patents, most in the outdoor arena, including one for his weedless propeller an innovation that effectively revolutionized the trolling motor industry.
His latest invention, the WaveSpin spinning reel is receiving high praise with its patented spool that makes loops irrelevant.
Jerry Gibbs the venerable fishing editor of Outdoor Life Magazine said in the Dec. /Jan. 2007/2008 issue that Hannon’s WaveSpin represents “the first significant improvement in salt- and freshwater spinning-reel design in more than 50 years. What sets the WaveSpin apart from its competitors is that it's virtually impossible for the line to birdnest during a cast.”
Unlike the smooth lip on all other spinning reels, the WaveSpin reel features 16 smoothly rounded teeth – or waves -- on the spool lip which completely eliminate the eruption of a birdnest due a loop or loops that may have been retrieved onto the spool. During casting looped line lays harmlessly between the waves on the spool and simply unwinds on the next cast unnoticed and without creating tangles of any kind. Even if a loop lays on the spool instead of between the waves, the patented design still allows the line to cast freely.
Put to the test by Gibbs and some "pretty vile casters," he said Hannon's latest creation lived up to its claims.
“It’s been fun seeing the results of my efforts in the hands of novices as well as fishing professionals,” said Hannon. “At a recent fishing show I had a father tell me the reel was giving his child more confidence in casting and enjoyment of fishing while not having to worry about loops, tangles and birdnests. He was also casting farther. The father bought another WaveSpin for himself after giving his to his child.”
Hannon’s WaveSpin is being marketed by XXX-Stream Tackle through a growing number of major sporting and fishing goods stores (Cabela’s and Gander Mountain) along with direct sales on its website www.wavespinreel.com. For information on WaveSpin please contact Russ Riley, VP of Operations, at: 989-967-8426 or via e-mail at investrepo@hotmail.com .
###

Contact: Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications, Inc.
Scottsdale, Ariz. 85267
480-951-3654 (ph), 480-951-0040 (fax),
JohnsonCom@aol.com (e-mail)

[administrator]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ROTARY CLUB of CLEARWATER ANNOUNCES 16TH ANNUAL KINGFISH TOURNAMENT CLEARWATER, Florida (February 14, 2008) – The Rotary Club of Clearwater will once again host its Annual Kingfish Tournament on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at the Clearwater Yacht Club. There will be a mandatory Captain’s Meeting at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, April 11 at Coachman’s Park in downtown Clearwater. The Captain’s Party will also feature music, food, attractions, and a silent auction. This year’s Tournament will feature $8,000 in cash prizes to the top anglers. For specific details on prize structure, entry forms, and Tournament schedule please refer to the official Rules & Regulations, available at www.clearwaterrotary.org. The Annual Kingfish Tournament is the Rotary Club of Clearwater’s primary fundraising activity each year. Since the tournament’s inception in 1993, the Rotary Club of Clearwater has generated over $750,000 that has been distributed to local charities. In 2008, the selected charity beneficiaries are: Big Brothers Big Sisters; Clearwater Free Clinic; The Kimberly Home, Inc.; Homeless Emergency Project, Inc. (HEP); Pinellas County Sheriff’s Police Athletic League, Inc.; Clearwater Marine Aquarium; Clearwater Police Department’s Good Act Program; Upper Pinellas Association of Retarded Citizens (UPARC) Foundation, Inc.; La Clinica Guadalupaña, Inc.; Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf; Skycrest Christian School; Clearwater Rotary Endowment Trust Fund of Charities, Inc; Rotary International Foundation; and Clearwater Rotary International Project.
CONTACT:
Brent Adams
Voice: 813-282-1965 x528
Fax: 888-883-8680
brenta@lassiter-ware.com
www.clearwaterrotary.org
- END -

[administrator]

Proposed Ordinances Could Prove Dangerous to Sporting Dog Owners
Volusia County, Florida Residents Should Act Now!
February 13, 2008 (National)

Sportsmen in Volusia County, Florida face two proposed ordinances now before their county council which will erode their rights.

The proposed ordinances would make it impossible to keep and train hunting dogs within the county. Similar codes have made their way through city councils across the United States. They hurt legitimate hunting dog owners and breeders.

One of the proposed ordinances would require a sporting dog or other dog owner who is a “hobby breeder” to be licensed the same as a commercial “animal care facility”. An “animal care facility” is defined as “premises where six or more domesticated pets, including feral dogs and cats, over six months of age, are sheltered, maintained, trained, boarded, or bred, whether for profit or for personal use for any length of time”

The proposed ordinance also includes changes to the amount of land needed to house over four animals six months or older, mandates at least 50 feet of yard space, and would mandate that outdoor areas be double fenced to prevent escape. A public hearing for the ordinance was held on February 7, and a final reading and vote is scheduled to take place on February 21.

A mandatory spay/neuter ordinance is also being considered. It would make it nearly impossible to breed and raise hunting dogs. A draft of the proposed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance was presented at a meeting on February 7.

Take Action! Volusia County, Florida residents should contact Volusia County Council Members and urge them to oppose these ordinances. Tell them that such laws make it impossible for many to keep hunting dogs, and are hard to enforce. To contact your council member, call the citizen hotline at 866-345-0345.

[administrator]

Sportsmen Successful in Bid to Protect Black Bear Hunt in Florida


(Columbus) - The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation was victorious in its representation of hunters’ interests in a lawsuit brought by anti’s to make black bears in Florida off-limits to sportsmen forever.

The case contended that the black bear in Florida is in deep trouble and is an endangered sub-species of the North American black bear, entitling Florida bears to protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)., It was brought by the Humane Society of the United States, Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra Club and other anti-hunters. United States District Judge Henry H. Kennedy, Jr. presided over the case.

“The Court found the Defenders of Wildlife case to be wholly baseless,” said Rick Story, senior vice president of USSAF. “The judge wisely deferred to the scientific conclusion of the agency with statutory responsibility for the health and well-being of the bears. The bottom line is that the black bear is healthy and abundant, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is doing a fine job of managing them and the court completely ignored the anti-hunters’ nonsensical argument that the Florida bear is an endangered subspecies of the North American black bear.”

A dangerous precedent would have been set if the black bears in Florida had been classified as a sub-species and categorized as endangered. It would have allowed anti-hunters to bring similar lawsuits to challenge the classification of deer, quail and other game animals that have numerous populations throughout the country.

“It’s great to see that the judge saw this the way sportsmen do,” said Brad McNaughton, president of the Central Florida Bear Hunter’s Association. “These groups call themselves advocates, but hunters are the ones that care about the well-being of these species. Our hats are off to the Sportsmen’s Alliance – without them, none of this would have been possible.”

Anti’s have tried for years to list Florida’s bears under the ESA, but extensive research by the USFWS has determined that the listing is not warranted. Studies show that healthy bear populations occur in secure habitats throughout Florida.

The USSAF joined with Central Florida Bear Hunters Association, Safari Club International and Mark Roden of St. Augustine to intervene in the case.

The SLDF is the nation’s only litigation force that exclusively represents sportsmen’s interests in the courts. It defends wildlife management and sportsmen’s rights in local, state and federal courts, representing the interests of sportsmen. It also assists government lawyers who have little or no background in wildlife law. For more information, e-mail info@ussportsmen.org

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussafoundation.org.

[administrator]

For Immediate release; photo available upon request

Hell’s Bay and Gordon Boatworks create winning merger
Tom Gordon returns home to Hell’s Bay to combine efforts
TITUSVILLE, Fla., --- Hell’s Bay Boatworks is bringing back veteran fishing boat builder Tom Gordon, plus two of its classic and popular shallow-water performance skiffs with those currently produced by Gordon Boatworks, in a merger of the two companies.
Hell’s Bay Boatworks’ President Chris Peterson, who two years ago bought the decade-old company and has been rebuilding its proud heritage, made the announcement.
All of Gordon Boatworks models and intellectual property will be moving from its Oak Hill, Fla., location with Tom Gordon, to the Hell’s Bay facility in Titusville.
No purchase price was disclosed.
“We’re very excited about joining together these two shallow-water fishing industry leaders,” said Peterson. “Gordon Boatworks has a loyal following among anglers, boaters and guides around the world.” Gordon has been in the fiberglass industry since 1989 and began his career in the shallow water skiff market with Hell’s Bay in 1999.
Peterson said almost four years ago, with Hell’s Bay in a major transition, Gordon, then Hell’s Bay’s plant manager, left the company and successfully started Gordon Boatworks. “He licensed the two popular Waterman (16’ and 18”) models from Hell’s Bay. Both are very reliable fishing boats and proven designs. Gordon Boatworks also worked with Hell’s Bay’s co-founder Flip Pallot in launching a new design called the Ambush that has proven a popular seller.
“Because he knew boats, the character of the people needed to build them, and because the product was so good Tom became very successful,” Peterson reflected. “The Waterman models are popular in all of the Southern coastal states, as well as the Bahamas, Mexico and several other foreign countries where shallow and back-country fly and light tackle fishing is popular. Hell’s Bay considered Gordon Boatworks the only legitimate competition for a truly technical poling skiff.
“With Hell’s Bay and Gordon Boatworks producing skiffs in separate facilities within 30 minutes of each other, it just makes a lot of sense to consolidate the operations into one company in one location. Tom’s boat building career was launched at Hell’s Bay and he wants to be a part of what was created here, and what in the early years of Hell’s Bay Tom helped design,” Peterson said.
Hell’s Bay recently introduced its newest design in February at the Miami International Boat Show; an 18’ skiff Hell’s Bay calls the Boca Grande. By incorporating the models of Gordon Boatworks, Hell’s Bay will now have 11 models of shallow-water skiffs in the 14’ to 18’ range. “We certainly have the ideal skiff for every type of shallow water fishery now at Hells’ Bay Boatworks,” commented Tom Gordon. “It will be exciting to offer such a depth of product to the fishing enthusiast.”
Hell’s Bay Boatworks is located at 1520 Chaffee Drive in Titusville. The web site is hellsbayboatworks.com. To contact Peterson or Gordon call 321-383-8223 or via e-mail to chris@hellsbayboatworks.com or tom@hellsbayboatworks.com, respectively.
###
(6/23/2008)
Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications, Inc.
Scottsdale, Arizona
e-mail: johnsoncom@aol.com
phone: 480-951-3654

[administrator]

For immediate release



Mexican “fishing mafia” tagged for three illegal catches
Conservation efforts of The Billfish Foundation in Baja region beginning to pay off



FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., USA ---- Community based enforcement efforts in Baja California Sur, Mexico, supported by The Billfish Foundation (TBF) through the Center for Marine Protection and funded by the recreational fishing license fees paid to FONMAR, have resulted in three recent seizures of vessels carrying multi-tons of illegally harvested dorado.

On August 13, a commercial vessel from Mazatlan was seized in waters north of Loreto with 1,300 kilos (nearly 1.5 tons) of dorado (also known as mahi mahi, dolphinfish or goldenmakrele), a species strictly relegated for sportfishing and not commercial long-lining or netting. Local FONMAR agents said the crew was filleting the illegal fish at sea.

Then over the weekend of Sept. 5, two boats owned by commercial longline king Henry Collard were seized and charged with illegally harvesting dorado while using a shark permit in Magdelena Bay. The two vessels were carrying 14 tons of dorado along with several tons of shark.

News reports in the local La Paz newspaper El Sudcaliforniano were critical of the illicit activities described as “the fishing mafia” and commercial “pirates” which are often funded by the Mexican federal government. The report said it’s been happening for years.

Collard, a prominent representative of commercial fishing interests, was reported to have threatened fisheries enforcement agents that he “is a personal friend of Ramon Corral and you can’t do this to me!”

TBF President Ellen Peel said this statement does not do much for Corral’s already tainted image by accusations of wrong doing by his own CONAPESCA personnel.

“Corral is the head of Mexico’s fisheries agency CONAPESCA and has been an unyielding supporter of the new regulation NOM-029 that attempted to allow the “incidental” harvest of billfish, dorado and other species within Mexico’s 24 year-old conservation zones.”

The news report also said the CONAPESCA boarding party, received a call from senior officials of Mexico City, and opted to withdraw from the arrest site, leaving the responsibility for the inspection staff of FONMAR. The news reporter said the FONMAR personnel were not intimidated by the threats of the crew of the seized boat.

Investigations are also underway by U.S. and Mexican officials regarding the transportation of hundreds of tons of the illegal dorado catches from the Port of Guaymas into Arizona through Nogales, and into California through Tijuana.

TBF President Ellen Peel said, “Apparently the recent interest of U.S. enforcement officials in the import of illegally caught dorado has persuaded CONAPESCA that they need to concede TBF’s position that there is no basis in Mexican law to allow bycatch in the conservation zones and enforce the federal fisheries law.”

Peel said the foundation was instrumental in getting FONMAR established locally in Baja Sur in 2005 so angler’s license fees go to directly assisting conservation and protection of the fish resources in the region. Small panga patrol boats have been purchased from the FONMAR money. As a result local fishermen are reporting illegal acts to the FONMAR officials.

Dr. Russell S. Nelson, TBF’s Chief Scientist, said the increased enforcement against illegal fishing activities in and around the Baja Conservation Triangle has been the first priority for funding FONMAR, the trust created in 2005 by TBF and its Mexican conservation partners.

Working with governments worldwide The Billfish Foundation advances the conservation of billfish and associated species to improve the health of oceans and economics. Since 2002, TBF has been working in the “triangle” an area bounded by Los Cabos, La Paz and Magdelena (Mag) Bay in the southern Baja peninsula.

“There are many loop-holes in the May 15 NOM-029 regulation also known as ‘Shark Norma,’ “said Nelson. “It dramatically and destructively affects the fishing resources in the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) and the millions of tourist dollars that support sportfishing such as catch and release for striped marlin in the region.”

Full details of the story will follow in next month’s edition of the TBF’s Billfish Magazine and on the TBF web site at Billfish.org.

To contact Ms. Peel call her at 800-438-8247 ex. 108 or via e-mail at ellen_peel@billfish.org . For Dr. Nelson please e-mail him at DrRSNNC@aol.com or by phone at 561-449-9637. .

Founded over two decades ago, The Billfish Foundation with headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., USA, is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations around the world. TBF's comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs, and sportfishing and tourism businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy.

###



Editors: For the above newspaper references please see: http://www.oem.com.mx/elsudcaliforniano/notas/n842382.htm and http://www.oem.com.mx/elsudcaliforniano/notas/ns844540.htm



9/12/2008



TBF PR Counsel/contact: Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications, Inc.

Scottsdale, Ariz., USA

480-951-3654 (ph) 480-951-0040 (fax)

JohnsonCom@aol.com (e-mail)

[administrator]

October 31, 2008 to November 1, 2008

Location: Battery Park Apalachicola, FL

The oldest seafood festival in the state. If you love great seafood, arts & crafts, fine folks and wonderful entertainment all wrapped into a magnificent family atmosphere, then join us in Apalachicola for the 45th Annual Florida Seafood Festival. The event will feature quality entertainment and maritime crafts paying tribute to the Apalachicola Bay's commercial fishermen. There is also an oyster shucking contest, oyster eating contest. Headliners this November 1st are Daryle Singletary @ 4:00 and Little Texas @ 8:00.

For more information go to www.floridaseafoodfestival.com

Just incase you were wondering, the fishing has been pretty good...

For those that aren't into the festivities or crowds, we do have captains available for fishing this weekend!

If you're looking for family friendly fishing guides, you found us!

Hope to see you this weekend!

Sandra Allen
Book Me A Charter Guide Service
Apalachicola, FL
850-653-2622
www.BookMeACharter.com
info@BookMeACharter.com

[administrator]

Dec. 3, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE w/head shot photo and TBF logo

John Brownlee named chairman of
The Billfish Foundation’s board of trustees FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA –

Internationally respected marine journalist, editor and conservationist, John Brownlee has been named by The Billfish Foundation as chairman of its board of trustees.
A member of TBF for over a decade Brownlee was appointed to the board in the summer of 2002. For the past year he served as vice chairman before being appointed chairman succeeding Ms. Joan Vernon.
“It’s an honor to be named chairman of TBF,” said Brownlee. “No other organization has done more to protect worldwide billfish stocks, and the current board and I will strive to continue TBF’s groundbreaking conservation work in areas like Mexico, Latin America and South America, as well as continuing to attempt to persuade ICCAT to take a stronger stand on billfish conservation.”
TBF President Ellen Peel said, “Having John serve as TBF Board Chair will be exciting. He understands the fishery management systems having served on the federal South Atlantic Fishery Management Council for six years. His term included one year as chairman.” Peel added, “One difficult challenge for passionate anglers is to understand change to the fishery management regulations must be made through established parameters following very specific regulations. John understands those realities and he understands the sportfishing community and the link between good conservation and good economics to related businesses.”
As a committed conservationist Brownlee also served two years as the SAFMC council’s recreational representative to the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna) advisory committee. Years earlier he served as the treasurer of Florida’s highly successful “Save Our Sealife” amendment campaign to ban commercial netting off Florida’s coasts and approved by its voters in 1994. He’s been Florida’s chairman of the Coastal Conservation Association and has served on the CCA’s national board. He’s also the upper Keys representative for the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).
Earlier this year the Bonnier Marine Group named John its editor-in-chief of Salt Water Sportsman Magazine, the country’s oldest and largest saltwater fishing magazine. For over a decade he had served as the magazine’s senior editor and later as a regional sales manager before joining Sport Fishing and Marlin magazines as a senior editor. Prior to rejoining Salt Water Sportsman, he launched Center Console Angler magazine in 2006.
An extensive traveler, John and his wife Poppy make their home in the Florida Keys in Islamorada, the "Sport Fishing Capital of the World."
Established in 1986 The Billfish Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. With headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., USA, TBF’s comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs, sport fishing and tourism businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy.
TBF’s web site is www.billfish.org and its phone number is 800-438-8247.
###
12/3/2008
TBF PR Counsel/contact: Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications, Inc.
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) 480-951-0040 (fax)
JohnsonCom@aol.com (e-mail)

[administrator]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

20th Over-the-Hill Sailfish Tournament is Fun for 50 & over
Historic “seniors” charity tournament for CF and MARC set for Jan. 19 & 20th
ISLAMORADA In-the-Florida Keys --- Fishing fun and feeling philanthropic in the Florida Keys at Flutie’s Fifty and over tournament.
Okay, please excuse the alliteration but its worth emphasizing that two decades ago the late Capt. Al Flutie and friends started a little local charity sailfishing tournament that today continues to embody the fun of the sport and the uniqueness of the Florida Keys community.
Flutie, a popular Islamorada guide and radio fishing show host along with Dick Sheppard, Socko Gorenflo and Rip Tosun began the originally named Al Flutie Over-the-Hill Rip-Off Sailfish Tournament, which 20 years later is still the only senior’s sailfish tournament in the world.
This year the historic seniors’ catch-and-release competition kicks off Monday afternoon, Jan. 19 at Gary Dunn’s Ocean View Inn (MM 84.5 bayside), with fishing, dinner and awards on Jan. 20.
The event has far-reaching appeal attracting not only locals but many anglers from northern states. Last year’s top place winners were from New Jersey and Minnesota. It’s also attracted the attention of the world’s largest advocacy organization for the 50+ community in an AARP newsletter.
Anyone can participate but only those 50 years and older are eligible for trophies and prizes.
Asked why the tournament has enjoyed such enormous popularity, veteran tournament official Capt. Bill Kelly laughed saying, “The tournament’s motto is ‘we give tacky a touch of class.’ We do it benefiting very worthy causes such as cystic fibrosis research through the Redbone celebrity tournaments here in Islamorada and MARC the Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens of the Keys. We keep the entry fee affordable, make certain the food is top-notch, provide outstanding trophies by well-known marine artist Pasta Pantaleo and have high quality items in both the live and silent auctions. We throw in lots of fun and camaraderie and just hope the fishing is up to par. Even if the fishing is slow we have all the ingredients for a highly successful event.”
Over the holidays the latest reports were the sailfish action was strong in the Atlantic waters.

Donating over $350.000 to local and national charities with zero administrative costs
Kelly said tournament originators are extremely proud of their event’s history of profits for charities. With zero administrative dollars paid out of the profits more than $350,000 has been donated to numerous charities
“Because it’s an all volunteer effort there’s no administrative fees taken from tournament proceeds. Other than covering operating expenses, every penny raised goes to the charities.
"It’s heart-warming knowing we’re helping to make a difference,” said Kelly. “The life span for those afflicted with CF has tripled and grows each and every day. Scientists are on the cusp to finding a cure for this disease and that's part of our mission. Also helping to preserve the valuable work of MARC of the Keys is fundamental to our community character. Keys residents have always stepped up to the plate when locals need help and support. That's what it's all about."
“Dunn, the former Pittsburgh Steeler great opens his O V Inn and Sports Pub and all of our volunteers treat our anglers like royalty. I think that's why our anglers dig deep in their pockets to help raise money for our selected charities. Besides, this tournament is just plain fun to fish in!
“It’s too bad Al, Dick and Socko are no longer with us to appreciate all of the goodness they helped generate for Keys infrastructure and such noble causes. Somehow I feel they know it and continue to shower their blessings on all of us.”
More tournament information and downloadable entry forms are on the MARC website at: www.marchouse.org. Or participants can call co-chairmen Michelle Snyder at 305-852-3282 or at 305-849-3042, or Gordon Ross at 305-294-9526 ext. 25 gordonkw1552@aim.com.
###

Jan 2, 2009 Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications, Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com

[administrator]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

19th annual Intl. Tag & Release winners
named by The Billfish Foundation
California’s Paul Bender sweeps overall angler T & R titles;
awards presented Feb. 12, at Miami Intl. Boat ShowFT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Across the globe they are the heart-and-soul of The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) eminent Tag & Release program. For nearly two decades a growing number of captains, anglers and mates have committed to tag and release of billfish with conservation efforts critical to scientific research.
In its latest annual “competition” a combined total of nearly 16,000 TBF “tagging data reports” and “release notification cards” were generated from three of the world’s five Oceans which include the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian; temperate waters inhabited by a majority of the world’s billfish. For captains, anglers, and mates to receive an award, they must be an active TBF member and have tagged and/or released five or more of a species to qualify. A minimum of three fish are required to qualify for youth anglers under 18.
The winners of the TBF’s 19th year-long competition were presented their 2009 International Tag & Release Awards Thursday, February 12 in the Big Game Room at the Miami International Boat Show. Joining with TBF in sponsoring and staging the ceremony is Smith-Merritt Insurance, Salt Water Sportsman, Marlin and Sport Fishing magazines. The winners will receive detailed trophies designed and donated by Raymond Douglas of King Sailfish Mounts. The overall winner trophies are sponsored by The Presidential Challenge Charitable Foundation, Inc. TBF Tag & Release program sponsors include Rybovich Yachts, American Custom Yachts, King Sailfish Mounts, Dockwise Yacht Transport and Rampage Yachts.
Peter Chaibongsai, TBF’s Director of Science and Policy said 7180 billfish were tagged and then released. The big winner was Paul Bender of Newport Beach, Calif. USA, who as an angler in the Pacific division swept both the overall Tag and Release categories. Posting a second straight win in the captain’s tagging division was Ron Hamlin, West Palm Beach, Fla. Ms. Denise Wishney, San Clemente, Calif., was the top female angler, and Diego Erickson, Detroit Lakes, Minn., USA was the overall youth winner. (*Fish tagged and released are NOT counted in the Release Category below. These fish are only counted in the Tag Category).
In addition a total of 8549 billfish were released without being tagged. Overall release winners included Guatemala’s Capt. Brad Philipps, the overall release captain in 2008 who again took the title for 2009. Lisa Everett, Nag Head, N.C., USA was the overall lady angler with the most combined releases and Parker Smith of Cordova, Tenn. USA the overall youth angler. (For a full list of award winners, please scroll to the agate at the bottom).
The awards event was held in conjunction and following the induction ceremony of Capt. Joan Vernon into the Big Game Room Hall of Fame. TBF also gave a presentation on its current work around the world. The Rybovich Lifetime Achievement Award, TBF's highest honor for individual commitment to billfish conservation, will be presented in October at TBF’s annual meeting.
“Each year we rely heavily on these volunteers on the Oceans, our ambassadors to marine science in the activities of billfish conservation,” said Chaibongsai. “TBF’s annual tag and release competitions contribute significant data revealing billfish numbers, their age, growth, movements and migration routes, and other factors critical to understanding these species to share with scientists, fisheries authorities and policy makers world wide for responsible management of all billfish, swordfish and other highly migratory species.”
TBF members from over 70 countries are invited to participate in the competition that ran from Nov. 1, 2007 to Oct. 31, 2008. Chaibongsai said most of the international information and biological data collected last year was from the countries of Angola, Ascension Island, Australia, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, St. Croix St. Thomas, Samoa, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Tahiti, Thailand, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the United States.
Once a fish is tagged, the matching tagging report card is filled out and sent to TBF and that information is kept in its database. Since TBF’s Tag and Release Program houses the largest private database of billfish data, international and domestic marine resource managing bodies like the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) rely on TBF to update their databases and increase their knowledge of billfish.
Through the leadership of the late Winthrop P. Rockefeller, The Billfish Foundation was established in 1986 and is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. With world headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., USA, TBF’s comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs, sport fishing and tourism businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy. TBF’s web site is www.billfish.org and its phone number is 800-438-8247 ext 107 and 101 for tagging
###
2/12/2009 TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications,
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com

Tag Category
Anglers - Pacific Ocean
Black Marlin – John Richardson, Bellville, Texas, USA
Blue Marlin – Mark Davis, Malibu, Calif., USA
Sailfish – Davis Clapp, West Palm Beach, Fla., USA
Spearfish – Michael Stewart, Kailua, Hawaii, USA
Striped Marlin – Paul Bender, Newport Beach, Calif., USA
Swordfish – Fernando Aguilar, Miami, Fla., USA
Captains - Pacific Ocean
Black Marlin – Gustavo Cordoba, Pinas Bay, Panama
Blue Marlin – Gene VanderHoek, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA
Sailfish – Ron Hamlin, West Palm Beach, Fla., USA
Spearfish – Kevin Hiney, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA
Striped Marlin – Martin Vigil Perez, Newport Beach, Calif., USA
Swordfish – Jose Maria Bonilla, Iztapa, Guatemala
Anglers - Atlantic Ocean
Blue Marlin – Sam Jennings, Juno Beach, Fla., USA
Sailfish – Gray Ingram, Jupiter, Fla., USA
White Marlin – Gray Ingram Jupiter, Fla., USA
Captains - Atlantic Ocean
Blue Marlin – Graeme Fleet, Opna, New Zealand
Sailfish – Bouncer Smith, Miami, Fla., USA
Swordfish – Rick Ross, West Palm Beach, Fla., USA
White Marlin – Ronnie Fields, Lake Park, Fla., USA
Anglers - Indian Ocean
Sailfish – Mike Tilbrook, Essex, United Kingdom * pending confirmation of membership
Captains - Indian Ocean
Black Marlin – Bernard Vale, Coral Bay, Australia
Blue Marlin – John Pearce, Phuket, Thailand
Sailfish – Ross Newton, Broome, Australia
Striped Marlin – Simon Hemphill, Ukunda, Kenya
Swordfish – Robert Hellier, Malindi, Kenya *pending confirmation of membership
Overall Tagging
Angler – Paul Bender, Newport Beach, Calif., USA
Captain – Ron Hamlin, West Palm Beach, Fla.,
Female Angler – Denise Wishney, San Clemente, Calif., USA

Release Category
Anglers - Pacific Ocean
Black – Barry Alty, Sovereign Island, Gold Coast, Australia
Blue – Gary Carter, Duluth, Ga., USA
Sailfish – Michael Viljoen, Knysna, South Africa
Striped – Paul Bender, Newport Beach, Calif., USA
Swordfish – John Angus, KeriKeri, New Zealand
Captains – Pacific Ocean
Black Marlin – Alan Geale, Houoays Beach, Australia *pending confirmation of membership
Blue Marlin – Brad Philipps, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Sailfish – Brad Philipps, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Striped Marlin – Martin Vigil Perez, Newport Beach, Calif., USA
Anglers – Atlantic Ocean
Blue Marlin – Bob DeGabrielle, Jupiter, Fla., USA
Sailfish – Bob DeGabrielle, Jupiter, Fla., USA
White Marlin – Carole Speicher, Leola, Pa., USA
Captains – Atlantic Ocean
Blue Marlin – Eddie Morrison, St. Thomas, USVI
Sailfish – VJ Bell, Stuart, Fla., USA
White Marlin – Donald Speicher, Leola, Pa., USA
Overall Release
Angler – Paul Bender, Newport Beach, Calif., USA
Captain – Brad Philipps, Guatemala.
Female Angler -- Lisa Everett, Nags Head, N.C., USA
Youth Tagging
9 - 10 -- Winner - Emmanuel Wildemann, Panama City, Fla., USA
Runner-Up -Mary Frances Daniel, Tallahassee, Fla., USA
Runner-Up – Savannah Ausley, Tallahassee, Fla., USA
11 - 12 – Winner - Jacob A. Pearcy, Oro Valley, Ariz., USA
13 - 15 -- Winner - Diego Erickson, Detroit Lakes, Minn., USA
Runner-Up - Robbie Angus, Keri Keri, New Zealand
16 - 17 -- Winner - Lauren Miller, Mesa, Ariz., USA
Overall Tagging
Diego Erickson, Detroit Lakes, Minn., USA
Youth Release
11 - 12 - Thomas Matthew Hardy, Centerville, Md., USA
13 - 15 - Winner - Parker Smith, Cordova, Tenn., USA
Runner-Up Mathew Edwards, Hobe Sound, Fla., USA
Overall Release
Parker Smith, Cordova, Tenn. USA *pending confirmation of membership

**Mates will also be honored at the ceremony.
Tag Category: 7180 billfish. Release Category: 8549. Combined total billfish: 15,729

[administrator]

Immediate Release



Changes highlight the 2009

Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship
New management, new format and ESPN coverage of summer competition



ISLAMORADA, In The Florida Keys, USA --- Change is everywhere! It was the buzz word of the presidential election. Changes are affecting everyone based on today’s economy. And change will be among the highlights for the 2009 Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship, one of fishing’s premier events, July 7 – 9, in Islamorada.

“Since we began contacting some of the past winners seeking feedback to our ideas and proposed changes we’ve gotten some great response,” said Sandy Moret the tournament’s new director. “We already have half the two fields filled from just our first wave of invitations sent several weeks ago to the 2008 qualifying tournament winners.”

To be invited anglers must have won one of 36 inshore qualifying tournaments during 2008 throughout the US, Bahamas and Australia.

“We’re adding more all-release tournaments across the globe as qualifiers for the 2010 championships,” said Moret who outlined some of the new changes for the 2009 FKO/IGFA IWC:

Change 1: A new management team and title sponsor.

To allow the International Game Fish Association, which originated and has managed the championship since 2001, to focus on its core mission of conservation and angler education, it partnered with Moret’s Florida Keys Outfitters (FKO), to operate future events beginning this summer. FKO is a prominent saltwater fly fishing shop, school and organizer of numerous Keys tournaments. The IGFA will remain the championship's nonprofit benefactor with a fundraising auction.

Change 2: Separate championships for flyrod and light tackle divisions.

Recognizing the unique differences of skills, technique and expertise required to be a master of either sport, the ninth annual event will feature two distinct competitive styles -- fly and light tackle. Awards will be presented to the Inshore Light Tackle World Champion and the Inshore Fly Fishing World Champion.

“IGFA regulations and many historically cherished angling traditions maintain a clear cut difference between these two forms of sport fishing,” said Moret. “The basic premise in all conventional light tackle angling is the weight of the bait or lure takes the line from the reel, while in fly fishing the weight of the fly line pulls the fly through the air. The three day all-release tournament shares the same playing field of scoring points on the five targeted species: bonefish, tarpon, permit, redfish and snook.”

Change 3: Fields limited to 15 top fly and 15 top light-tackle anglers.

“More than a year ago when we won the bid to manage the world championship we booked the top winning fly and light tackle tournament guides here in the Florida Keys. We believe we have the 30 finest guides chosen for their expertise in the two divisions. Anglers who qualified in fly events will go for the flyrod title and likewise for those for the light tackle title.

Change 4: Same guide and angler combination all three days.

“At the kick off, anglers will draw his or her guide/team mate for the following three days. If they draw a guide they have fished with within one year, they’ll be required to draw again. Anglers and guides need not rotate, because variance in range of guide ability in each division will be very narrow. The results will weigh more heavily on the individual anglers’ skills than in the past. Additionally, teams should be able to develop a rhythm and work more effectively together without having to start from square one each day,” said Moret. “This new format should create a fair, fun and exciting competition with so many anglers and guides coming together utilizing unique angling styles and their ‘best-of-the-best’ natural skills and abilities.”

Change 5: TV coverage on ESPN’s Saltwater Series.

For the first time the championship will be partnering with ESPN Outdoors and its televised Saltwater Series and be presented on other ESPN Outdoors multimedia platforms. Daily tournament coverage will appear on ESPNOutdoors.com and on IGFA.org among others.

Sponsors of this year’s FKO/IGFA IWC include Bacardi, Hook and Tackle, Islamorada Fish Co., The Islander Resort, King Sailfish Mounts, Rapala, Shimano, Stiffy Push Poles, Reel Life Art by Pasta, World Wide Sportsman, KD & G Jewelry, Zane Grey Lounge, Bayside Marina, Tibor, Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series, Diamond Fishing Products, Daiichi, Kaenon Sunglasses, Sage, Patagonia, Green Turtle Inn, Rich Products Corp and "High Roller" author Bill Bishop.

For more information on the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship and qualifying tournaments contact Sandy Moret 305-664-5423 or flkeyout@bellsouth.net or visit inshoreworldchampionships.com .

###



3/12/2009 FKO/IGFA IWC PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications,

Scottsdale, Ariz., USA

480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com

[administrator]

Florida Sportsmen Battle “Puppy Mill” Legislation
4/8/09



New legislation pending in the Florida state Senate could severely cripple sporting dog owners and breeders in the state.

Senate Bill 2002, sponsored by Senator Lee Constantine (R- Altamonte Springs), does not adequately distinguish sporting dog breeders from commercial breeders that mass produce animals for retail sale.

Among the provisions of the bill is an arbitrary cap of fifty dogs capable of reproduction that can be owned or possessed.

Additionally, anyone that has ten or more intact adult dogs is mandated to comply with a litany of new laws and regulations. For sporting dog breeders, these onerous new regulations could easily put them out of business.

Among the provisions are: rigorous record keeping, kennel construction, sanitation, temperature regulations, and exercise requirements.

SB 2002 received a hearing on April 6, 2009 in the Senate Community Affairs Committee.

Take Action! Florida sportsmen and sporting dog owners should contact their state senators today and urge them to oppose this measure.

To find your state representative’s phone number, please use the Legislative Action Center.

[administrator]

Vendor space is going fast for the Martin County Nautical Flea Market and Seafood Festival and if you were considering joining us this is something you should do soon. I have posted the most current floor plan at www.flnauticalfleamarket.com with what spaces are available. You can pick your spot out of what is still open. Hope you will join us.

“Bargains Galore” is the theme of the Martin County Nautical Flea Market and Seafood Festival coming to Martin County Fairgrounds this fall. Hundreds of vendors with huge discounts on boats, fishing, boating and diving gear, nautical clothing, marine surplus items, anchors, mooring products, nautical art and antiques, seafood and much more will fill the Martin County Fairgrounds in Stuart Florida on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 18, 19 and 20, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, comment or suggestions email or call me.

Thank You
Larry Burdgick
Promoter
Martin County Nautical Flea Market and Seafood Festival
Under the Sun Promotions, Inc
7040 W Palmetto Park Rd
Suite 4 # 362
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(954) 205-7813
info@flnauticalfleamarket.com

[administrator]

For Immediate Release

Elite anglers focused on FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship
Men and women champions from nine U.S. states and Australia competing July 7 - 9

ISLAMORADA, In The Florida Keys, USA ---They’re 32 of the top fly and light tackle “sight-casting” fishing champions from across the U.S. and as far away as Australia, set to converge on Islamorada for the ninth annual Florida Keys Outfitters / IGFA Inshore World Championship, July 7 - 9.
Anglers and the media have described the event as the “super bowl of inshore fishing.”
The field of anglers – 16 in fly and 16 in light tackle -- was invited from a variety of 36 qualifying tournaments held in 2008 in the U.S., the Bahamas and Australia to compete in the three day all-release championship. They include 26 men and five women from nine U.S. states and Australian Peter Politis, winner of Northern Territory’s Barramundi Classic.
A grand champion will be crowned in each division.
New to the format will be a drawing to pair each angler with a premier Keys guide, fishing all three days as a team for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook and redfish.
Three-time winner and current defending champion Robert Collins of Naples and Islamorada said, “The thing I like most about the new format is that your guide will now be much more important in helping you plan your overall strategy. The continuity will be a positive for both the angler and the guide. It should be much easier to execute one three day plan, as opposed to three one day plans with three different guides.”
And for the first time Collins who is known for his remarkable accuracy with a conventional rod and reel, will be focusing his skills solely casting fly.
“I'll approach it the same as in past years,” he said, “deciding which species I can get in the least amount of time and then go from there. A lot of that decision will depend on the conditions and who I will be fishing with. It usually takes catching and releasing a slam of all five species to win and that's going to be difficult with the fly rod, but someone will probably do it.”
Collins who is also a member of the defending IGFA Offshore World Championship team said, “I fished a pretty heavy offshore schedule this past year but when I’ve been inshore it's been all flyrod. I know I don't have all the skills that some of the others do, but I feel pretty good about where I am with it,” adding with a smile, “plus I’m hoping for a lucky break or two.”
He and the other competitors may get those opportunities.
According to tournament director Sandy Moret, owner of Florida Keys Outfitters who spent several days fly fishing the Florida Bay waters, “Tarpon fishing is off the chart right now.”
“I have had great reports on the snook and red fishing too. Some bonefish and permit are being caught, but most anglers are so focused on tarpon, that the other species are getting a break. The weather has settled into its late spring/early summer pattern and if it holds, fishing should be gangbusters!
“These anglers and guides have wholeheartedly embraced our new light tackle/fly tackle concept and this should be one of the most outstanding competitions of the year,” he added. “Looking ahead to next year we’ll have more international competitors from the 38 current qualifying events representing tournaments in US, Bahamas, Belize, Australia & Sweden.”
Fishing and daily scoring takes place from the World Wide Sportsman’s Bayside Marina. The Islander Resort serves as the event’s headquarters. Both are located near mile marker 82.
The IGFA remains the inshore championships’ sole nonprofit benefactor. A fundraiser and auction for the IGFA will be held at the event.
The championship is partnering with ESPN Outdoors and its televised Saltwater Series. Daily tournament coverage will appear on ESPNOutdoors.com and on IGFA.org.
Tournament sponsors include Bacardi, Islamorada Fish Co., The Islander Resort, King Sailfish Mounts, Rapala, Shimano, Stiffy Push Poles, Reel Life Art by Pasta, World Wide Sportsman, Mercury, Zane Grey Lounge, Bayside Marina, Tibor Reels, Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series, Diamond Fishing Products, Kaenon Sunglasses, Sage Rods, Patagonia, Green Turtle Inn, Rich Products Corp, Cortland Line Company, Ocean Dawn Suites, Vineyard Vines, Nautilus Reels and "High Roller" author Bill Bishop.
For more information on the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship and qualifying tournaments for 2010 please contact Sandy Moret at 305-664-5423 or flkeyout@bellsouth.net or visit inshoreworldchampionships.com .
###

6/25/2009 FKO/IGFA IWC PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications,
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com

[administrator]

Ninth annual Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship
July 7 – 9, 2009 - Islamorada Fla. USA
Qualifying Anglers and Representative Tournaments

Fly Tackle Division

Angler Hometown Tournament Tournament Location

Cal Collier, Jr, Atlanta Ga. Redbone @ Large Deep Water Cay, Grand Bahama Island Fall Tournament
Dave Collier, New York, N.Y. Redbone @ Large Deep Water Cay, Grand Bahama Island Spring Tournament
Robert Collins, Islamorada, Fla. IGFA Inshore Championship 3-time Grand Champion, Islamorada, Fla., USA
Mark Cooper, Aurora, Colo. Redbone Celebrity Tournament, Islamorada, Fla., USA
Alex Cruz, Miami, Fla. Backcountry Fly Championship, Islamorada, Fla., USA
David Dalu, Charleston, S.C. Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament, Islamorada, Fla., USA
Charles Duncan III, Houston, Texas Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Fly Tournament, Islamorada, Fla., USA
Leslie Duncan, Houston, Texas Ladies Invitational Tarpon Tournament, Islamorada, Fla., USA
Warren Hinrichs, Jacksonville, Fla. March Merkin Permit, Key West, Fla., USA
Kathryn Hoar, Hanover, Pa. Women's Fly Tarpon Tournament, Islamorada, Fla., USA
Rand Holstead, Houston, Texas Islamorada Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament, Islamorada, Fla., USA
Ed Liccione, Queenstown, Md. Islamorada Sailfly, Islamorada, Fla., USA
Sue Moret, Islamorada, Fla. Redbone @ Large Marsh Harbor Marsh Harbor, Abaco Island, Bahamas
Jared Raskob, Key Largo, Fla. IFACT Red Ghost Stalk, Islamorada, Fla., USA
Mike Rempe, Windsor, Colo. Redbone @ Large Deep Water Cay, Grand Bahama Island
Bob Rich, Islamorada, Fla. Redbone Celebrity Tournament, Islamorada, Fla., USA


Light Tackle Division

Bonnie Christ, Alexandria, Va Mercury Baybone Celebrity Tournament, Key Largo, Fla., USA
Mike Gallops, Naples, Fla. IGFA Inshore World Championship, 2003 Grand Champion Islamorada, Fla., USA
Rich Gorden, Brooksville, Fla. Red Snook Catch & Release Fishing Tournament, Collier County, Fla., USA
Tony Horsley, Glen Allen,Va. Islamorada All Tackle Spring Bonefish, Islamorada, Fla., USA
Bill Hurst, Cutler Bay, Fla. Mercury S.L.A.M. Celebrity Tournament, Key West, Fla., USA
Larry Leszczynski, Bradenton, Fla. Sarasota Sportfishing Anglers Club Tarpon Tournament, Sarasota, Fla., USA
Mike McDonald, Sarasota, Fla. Sarasota Sportfishing Anglers Club Tarpon Tournament, Sarasota, Fla., USA
Wayne Meland, Naples, Fla. Gene Doyle Catch and Release Tournament, Naples, Fla., USA
Peter Politis, Nightcliff,NT Australia Northern Territory Barramundi Classic, Northern Territory, Australia
Troy Pruitt, Naples, Fla. Lucerne-Grossman Memorial Fishing Competition, Key Largo, Fla., USA
Barry Shevlin, Bay Harbor Island, Fla. Lucerne-Grossman Memorial Fishing Competition, Key Largo, Fla., USA
Ron Silverman, Daniel Island, S.C. Lowcountry Red-Trout Celebrity Classic, Charleston, S.C., USA
Marty Smalley, Tampa, Fla. Mercury Grand Slam Celebrity Fishing Tournament, Tampa, Fla,, USA
Chris Turner, Naples, Fla. Red Snook Catch & Release Fishing Tournament, Collier County, Fla., USA
Nick Cardella, Delray Beach, Fla. IFACT Red Ghost Stalk, Islamorada, Fla., USA
Aledia Tush, Sarasota, Fla. Int'l Womens Fishing Assoc. Tournament, Islamorada, Fla., USA

[administrator]

TBF asking help of U.S. rec fishing communities to stop high bycatch levels of billfish by longliners in Gulf of Mexico
The Billfish Foundation seeks seven month closure; email campaign to Washington
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (August 26, 2009) -- With an August 31st deadline for the voicing of comments on reducing the bycatches of billfish and bluefin tuna by commercial longliners, The Billfish Foundation is asking the help of the recreational fishing communities, especially on the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts.
“The highest level of marlin bycatch in the U.S. is caught by U.S. pelagic longline vessels in the Gulf,” said Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation. “We’re asking for the U.S. Government to close off commercial longlining from March to September, during the period of the highest incidence of bycatch of marlin and spawning bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico. Atlantic marlin are seriously overfished but spawning bluefin tuna which are worse off.
“TBF is pleased the National Marine Fisheries Service is willing to consider practical changes to the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan. But comments must be in by Monday, August 31, so we don’t have much time. We’re trying to get an extension of the comment period to build more awareness for billfish and tuna and the need for the closure.
“We have more background on the situation on the TBF web site (billfish.org),” she said. “We’re simply asking anglers to take just 10 to 15 minutes to read it and then to copy the attached letters, modify them as they see fit and email it by August 31 to the NMFS, USFWS and also to their U.S. Congressmen and Senators,” said Peel. “It’s time they realize that the recreational billfishing community, which also fishes for tunas in the Gulf and Atlantic, is one that needs to be counted and its economic impact and voluntary conservation ethic appreciated.”
“Now is the time for anglers and conservationists to demand much needed reductions in the bycatch mortality of Atlantic marlin and bluefin tuna in the Gulf and a CITES (Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species) listing to protect Atlantic bluefin tuna throughout their range. We are hoping to significantly improve the management plan of Atlantic billfish and other highly migratory fish vital to supporting a large sportfishing and tourism industry in the region,” she added.
“There are many positives in implementing a seasonal, time and area closure to longlining in the Gulf. It will be a win-win for billfish, bluefin tuna, sea turtles, sharks, sportfishing and many fisheries’ dependent businesses,” said Peel. “A transition to more responsible commercial fishing gear is needed for severely overfished stocks cannot withstand the high rate of mortality, so until that time, a time and area closure provides a reasonable option. Responsible management practices must begin to give bycatch species equal management and conservation priority as given to targeted commercial species.”
Established in 1986 by the late Winthrop P. Rockefeller, The Billfish Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. With world headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., USA, TBF’s comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs, sport fishing and tourism businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy.
Reach Ms. Peel at Ellen_Peel@billfish.org or by phone at 800-438-8247, ext 108.
###

TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com

[administrator]

TBF succeeds in push of Vessel Monitoring System
mandate in Costa Rican waters
The Billfish Foundation continues building strong relations on fisheries conservation
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica and FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., USA (September 7, 2009) -- New regulations enacted by INCOPESCA, the Costa Rican fisheries agency, will require electronic vessel monitoring systems (VMS) on all commercial vessels larger than 56 ft. that operate in Costa Rican waters. These rules were published on August 5 and all affected vessels must have operational systems within six months of that date.
The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) Chief Scientist Dr. Russell Nelson and TBF Central American Conservation Director Herbert Nanne have been pushing INCOPESCA to develop these regulations for a year-and-a-half. “The mandatory use of VMS will allow Costa Rica’s officials to monitor via satellite the exact positions of all purse seine vessels and large longliners and more easily enforce closed areas and other conservation directives,” said Nelson.
Nanne added, “Costa Rica does not allow purse seine fishing on FADs (fish aggregating devices) because of the high bycatch of billfish, dorado, wahoo and other finfish, but we have for years suspected the foreign permitted vessels of using this destructive fishing practice in Costa Rica’s waters. Now VMS will reveal whether they are fishing inside our 12 mile territorial waters, or going into protected areas like the Coco Island National Park waters.”
Ellen Peel, TBF President, observed, ”We all owe Luis Dobles, the new President of INCOPESCA for taking yet another step towards stronger fisheries conservation. Hopefully purse seiners being tracked on VMS will think twice before repeating last year’s incident in which several sport fishing boats after being deliberately surrounded by a large purse seine and threatened while peacefully trolling for tuna.”
The regulations taking effect Feb. 5, 2010, do not apply to private and charter sportfishing vessels.
Over the past year Costa Rica has been proactive in enacting conservation laws and measures to control commercial overfishing. Last December INCOPESCA passed measures protecting its sailfish and other sport fishing resources by putting a halt to the exportation of sailfish meat and stopped the use of live bait by the commercial long-liners. A month later Costa Rica formed the first national sport fishing federation representing the interests of its anglers and the sport fishing tourism industry.
Established in 1986 The Billfish Foundation by the late Winthrop P. Rockefeller is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. With world headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., USA, TBF’s comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs, sport fishing and tourism businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy.
TBF’s web site is www.billfish.org and its phone number is 800-438-8247, ext 108 for Ellen Peel or (561) 449-9637 for Dr. Nelson.
###

9/7/2009 TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications,
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com

[administrator]

For immediate release

TBF’s Peel representing U.S. as Commissioner to ICCAT
The Billfish Foundation President Ellen Peel in Brazil for 10 day worldwide summit but is not overly optimistic about strong conservation measures being passed

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA and RECIFE, Brazil -- (November 6, 2009) -- Ellen Peel who was recently appointed as the new U.S. Commissioner to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) is in Brazil today for the start of the 21st annual meeting of the commission.
But on the eve of the 10 day (Nov. 6 – 15) summit Ms. Peel, who has been the president of The Billfish Foundation for over a decade, is not highly optimistic any strong changes will be made among the attending countries to conservation of tuna and related species.
“The past failure of ICCAT to pass science-based conservation measures for Atlantic bluefin tuna have been cited in proposals by Monaco and other nations to have the species listed by the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES),” said Peel.
“Last month the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Interior announced that they will support a CITES listing if ICCAT fails to pass strong conservation measures during the Brazil meeting. A CITES listing would prohibit international trade in bluefin tuna but would not affect the recreational or commercial harvest and trade of fish taken within a nation's waters.
"TBF took a position supporting a CITES listing last July," continued Peel, "and while we stand ready to endorse a very strong conservation measure by ICCAT this year we are not overly optimistic."
ICCAT is an inter-governmental fishery organization responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent seas which includes the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea. The commission holds a regular meeting every other year and a special meeting in alternate years. Currently there are 48 member nations.
In October Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, said, “We are sending a clear and definitive statement to the international community that the status quo is not acceptable. Over the past 40 years, the international body that manages bluefin tuna, ICCAT, has overseen a 72 percent decline in the adult population of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stock of bluefin tuna and an 82 percent decline in the adult population of the western Atlantic stock.”
TBF Chief Scientist Dr. Russell Nelson, who served as a research biologist for the National Marine Fisheries Service, and was the Chief Scientist and Director of Marine Fisheries for the State of Florida is again serving on the U.S. delegation at the ICCAT meetings.
Nelson stated, "I do not believe that anything short of a fully enforced ICCAT moratorium on international trade of bluefin tuna in the Atlantic will send a message sufficient to avoid a CITES listing. It’s frankly unlikely that the illegal and unreported fishing that is landing twice the tonnage recommended by the science can be controlled."
A meeting of the member nations of CITES will take place in March 13 – 24 in Doha, Qatar.
Peel added, “We do feel somewhat optimistic though that the new Chair of ICCAT, Fabio Hazen a scientist from Brazil, is working hard to get something out of this session.
“We are also encouraged there will be a working group meeting on Sport and Recreational Fishing this week at the Brazil meetings. This is a first. Many nations do not acknowledge their sportfisheries and view them more as a nuisance rather than an economic driver and an activity compatible with conserving the resources. Many nations therefore do not collect data from their sportfisheries, hence no data, no fishery that needs acknowledgement.”
She said TBF wants to help change that, getting members from the sportfishing communities on the delegations of other nations to change the dialogue.
“If others, commercial and government, are only thinking of ‘pounds of fish dead on the deck for consumption’ there is no meaningful debate. This will take a long time, but we all know there are many businesses in Asia and elsewhere that benefit from sportfishing, and we need them to be part of the ICCAT dialogue.”
Many overfished species like juvenile tuna are part of the food chain for the migrating billfish. Increasingly more countries are witnessing the value of the migration of sailfish and marlin in their regions as catch-and-release sportfish adding greatly to tourism dollars and to the growth of their economy.
Headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., The Billfish Foundation works with governments worldwide advancing the conservation of billfish and associated species to improve the health of oceans and regional economies. Most recently it has been assisting with governmental efforts in numerous Central and South American countries.
Established in 1986 by the late Winthrop P. Rockefeller, TBF is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. TBF’s comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs, sport fishing and tourism businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy.
Reach Ms. Peel at Ellen_Peel@billfish.org or by phone at 800-438-8247, ext 108.
###

TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com

[administrator]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE w/photo of certificate

Conversation and conservation piece, catch & release certificates part of $25 membership in The Billfish Foundation;
Impressive new Carey Chen artistry/foiled stamped certificates commemorate a
great day of catching billfish and releasing them; they’re free for TBF members

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. Is there an angler in your family or a friend who loves catching and releasing billfish? Here’s a great gift idea which will keep on giving throughout 2010.
The Billfish Foundation (TBF) has added a new and striking “billfish release” certificate for anglers worldwide wanting to document that special fishing moment and many others in 2010. It’s part of TBF’s signature Tag & Release program now in its 20th year and a free bonus throughout the year to TBF members. Annual membership into TBF is just $25.
The impressive 8 ½” x 11” silver foiled stamped document -- with its Carey Chen artistry of billfish, perfect for framing to proudly display in the office or home -- is free to TBF members. Each highlights the angler’s name, date, location, number of billfish species released, captain and boat.
“It’s both an instant conversation and conservation piece,” said TBF President Ellen Peel.” It’s also a way of honoring the anglers, captains and mates, TBF’s volunteer stewards of the seas, for relaying their reports of the specific areas and conditions of the billfish they caught from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and then safely released. Some skippers and anglers are also equipped with our TBF tagging data kits.”
The release and or tagged reports are entered into TBF’s new data bank and also for a yearly “competition” of captains, anglers and mates who generate the most annual information.
TBF Science and Policy Specialist Elliott Stark said, “A combined total of nearly 16,000 TBF ‘tagging data reports’ and ‘release notification cards’ were generated last year. Of those 8549 billfish were released without being tagged and another 7180 billfish were tagged and then released. TBF members from more than 70 countries are invited to participate each year.
“Since TBF houses the largest private database on billfish, managing bodies of domestic and international marine resources like the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) rely on TBF to update their databases increasing their knowledge of the migration behaviors of billfish,” he said.
“In turn,” said Ms. Peel, “captains, mates and anglers of all ages enjoy the release certificates as a lasting way to commemorate the catch, release and conservation of a billfish.
“Carey’s gorgeous illustrations are in numerous TBF publications and we auction original paintings of his at our October dinner each year,” she said.
Stark added, “Anglers can receive a certificate as a free premium once they become an active member of TBF whether they release or tag a billfish. Anglers must fill out the TBF release card, giving us a record of their catch. As long as the person is an active member of TBF, they can receive an unlimited amount of certificates under their name.”
To join TBF go on-line to www.billfish.org or phone Deborah Cummings at 954-938-0150, ext. 106 or email her at Deborah_Cummings@billfish.org. Ms Peel can be reached at ext. 108 or Ellen_Peel@billfish.org , and Stark at ext 101 or Elliott_Stark@billfish.org.
###
Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications
480-951-3654; email johnsoncom@aol.com

(photo caption)
The Billfish Foundation’s new Release Certificate features the angler’s name, number of billfish species with the impressive artwork of Carey Chen, and TBF lo

[administrator]

For Immediate Release w/photo

The Billfish Foundation’s Ellen Peel - 2010
inductee into the Big Game Room Hall of FameCeremony & reception at 5 p.m. Thurs. Feb. 11, at Miami International Boat Show

MIAMI, Florida, USA — Ellen Peel, whose passion, tenacity and perseverance as the president and chief executive officer of The Billfish Foundation in advancing the conservation of billfish, will be inducted into the 2010 Big Game Room Hall of Fame at the Miami International Boat Show, Thursday, February 11, at 5 p.m.
Ms. Peel becomes the hall’s seventh inductee in the Big Game Room; an arena where the blue water industry’s premier fishing talent gather, made up of expert and celebrity anglers, world wide tournament organizers, boat and tackle manufacturers, conservation groups, renowned artists, and representatives from far off exotic resorts and fishing destinations.
TBF Board Chairman John Brownlee who is also the editor of Salt Water Sportsman Magazine said, “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor than Ellen. She works tirelessly to make our sport better, and without her fierce determination and consummate skill, the billfish of the world would be much worse off. So would we!”
A reception in Ellen’s honor will follow on the Big Game Room Stage.
In March Ms. Peel will begin her 14th year as the head of TBF, a post many in billfishing and marine conservation say was a position she was born for. The Gulf of Mexico was her back yard growing up in Long Beach, Miss., and her respect for billfishing grew in coastal Gulf Breeze, Fla. She’s at home on deep blue water oceans or fly fishing a remote trout stream.
Her appreciation for the outdoors was broadened working for the National Park Service before pursuing a law degree at Ole Miss. Knowing she wanted to represent big migratory fish including billfish species she continued her studies with a masters of law in marine resources at the Univ. of Washington in Seattle. With her specialization she worked in Washington D.C. at the Center for Marine Conservation getting a solid background with the law-making process.
As a then TBF member Ellen urged the foundation to be involved in key federal fishing management meetings with the decision makers. The late Winthrop P. Rockefeller, of Little Rock Ark., founded TBF in 1986, offering her the vacant executive director’s position in 1996.
Despite many challenges like the reduced worldwide populations of billfish caused by commercial longlining and netting, her message remains clear – good conservation pays in benefits to the fish stocks, the oceans’ ecosystems, improved fishing opportunities, strong economies and prepared future generations of ocean stewards and users. Through education, research, science, advocacy and uniting the recreational fishing community as a single, powerful voice, TBF’s accomplishments have been many including key socio-economic work in the Central and South Americas, and TBF’s Tag & Release program and its technology.
In 2009, because of her dedication to marine resources, Ellen was designated to serve as the Acting U.S. Recreational Fishing Commissioner to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT), pending final approval by the Office of the President, which is anticipated to be announced soon.
She follows to the BGR Hall of Fame stage Capt. Joan Vernon who was inducted last year. Joan is also a member of the TBF board and served as its past chairman.
The Billfish Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. With world headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., TBF’s comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs, sport fishing and tourism businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy. The TBF web site is billfish.org.
###
2/09/2010 TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications,
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com

[administrator]

For Immediate Release

The Billfish Foundation troubled by
commercial netters in Bahamas Purse seine netters seeking permits in highly prized sportfishing/tourism locale

FT. LAUDERDALE, Florida, USA — A commercial Bahamian purse seine netting operation is attempting to obtain permits to begin operating in the islands of the Bahamas for yellowfin tuna, much to the frustration of conservation groups and sports fishing interests.
“If the Bahamian government authorizes commercial purse seining of tuna it could have a devastating effect,” said Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation.
“We are asking the government to consider a moratorium before any permits are issued.
“Purse seine netters are indiscriminate,” she added. “Such a large scale net vessel (with nets reportedly a mile long) will have bycatch trapped in the nets of not only blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and spearfish but it will also kill marine mammals such as porpoises and bottle nosed dolphin as well as endangered sea turtles.
“Attempts by commercial operators from Japan, Korean and Taiwan to seine net in the islands have been rejected over the years, but the current marine laws in the Bahamas apparently don’t exclude Bahamian operators within its own country like the one on Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, from setting up an operation,” said Peel.
Seines are large nets that hang like a vertical fence with weights at the bottom. The purse seine style of nets employ rings at the bottom in which a rope is fed through. As the boat encircles a school of fish the rope is pulled closing the net, not allowing the targeted fish, trapped billfish or mammals to escape below.
“That negative impact will kill the sportfishing tourism industry so vital to their nation.”
TBF Chief Scientist Dr. Russell Nelson added, "If they want to catch yellowfin they are going to end up using fish aggregating devices (FADs) which in turn will attract lots of billfish, dolphin, wahoo and other fish that will become bycatch and die."
TBF is asking for the Bahamian government to enact a moratorium so its law makers can have time to look at scientific and socio-economic data.
She asked, “Why would a nation that has demonstrated responsible fishery and ocean management for years now take huge steps backwards, steps that could economically and ecologically permanently damage the entire archipelago?”
Since its passing in 1994, Florida has banned netting in its coastal waters. Over the years studies have shown the extensive coastal fishery is once again rebounding.
Recent socio-economic studies completed by The Billfish Foundation in countries like Mexico and Costa Rica, document that responsible sportfishing of billfish -- primarily catch and release -- generates far more economic return to a nation than large commercial vessels that take, kill and move on to others waters while only having to pay a few license and permit fees.
“Once vessels like this are permitted to fish the region,” said Peel, “that nation's waters become depleted of many marine fish that are indicators of the health of their ecosystems. Large pelagic fish like billfish and tuna help support a number of jobs and industries throughout the Bahamas. Their presence in the waters is important also for balancing the functions of the ecosystems.”
Peel said TBF is sending its economic and scientific data to the Bahamian Prime Minister and other ministers and key officials there in hopes that they see the huge error and halt it before the purse seine vessel can ever drop its first net. She added that she’s prepared to go to the Bahamas immediately with scientists and reports to talk with officials about what they are considering.
Already the reaction is growing in the marine community after a TBF news alert was sent Thursday to its comprehensive network of members and supporters including concerned anglers, captains, mates, hotel and marina owners, tackle shops, tournament directors and other ancillary groups.
“We’ll see what happens hopefully to resolve this quickly in the coming weeks, if not days,” Peel said.
With its world headquarters based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., The Billfish Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy. The TBF web site can be found at billfish.org and phone number is 800-438-8247
###

2/22/2010 TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications,
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com

[administrator]

For Immediate Release

The Billfish Foundation troubled by
commercial netters in Bahamas Purse seine netters seeking permits in highly prized sportfishing/tourism locale

FT. LAUDERDALE, Florida, USA — A commercial Bahamian purse seine netting operation is attempting to obtain permits to begin operating in the islands of the Bahamas for yellowfin tuna, much to the frustration of conservation groups and sports fishing interests.
“If the Bahamian government authorizes commercial purse seining of tuna it could have a devastating effect,” said Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation.
“We are asking the government to consider a moratorium before any permits are issued.
“Purse seine netters are indiscriminate,” she added. “Such a large scale net vessel (with nets reportedly a mile long) will have bycatch trapped in the nets of not only blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and spearfish but it will also kill marine mammals such as porpoises and bottle nosed dolphin as well as endangered sea turtles.
“Attempts by commercial operators from Japan, Korean and Taiwan to seine net in the islands have been rejected over the years, but the current marine laws in the Bahamas apparently don’t exclude Bahamian operators within its own country like the one on Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, from setting up an operation,” said Peel.
Seines are large nets that hang like a vertical fence with weights at the bottom. The purse seine style of nets employ rings at the bottom in which a rope is fed through. As the boat encircles a school of fish the rope is pulled closing the net, not allowing the targeted fish, trapped billfish or mammals to escape below.
“That negative impact will kill the sportfishing tourism industry so vital to their nation.”
TBF Chief Scientist Dr. Russell Nelson added, "If they want to catch yellowfin they are going to end up using fish aggregating devices (FADs) which in turn will attract lots of billfish, dolphin, wahoo and other fish that will become bycatch and die."
TBF is asking for the Bahamian government to enact a moratorium so its law makers can have time to look at scientific and socio-economic data.
She asked, “Why would a nation that has demonstrated responsible fishery and ocean management for years now take huge steps backwards, steps that could economically and ecologically permanently damage the entire archipelago?”
Since its passing in 1994, Florida has banned netting in its coastal waters. Over the years studies have shown the extensive coastal fishery is once again rebounding.
Recent socio-economic studies completed by The Billfish Foundation in countries like Mexico and Costa Rica, document that responsible sportfishing of billfish -- primarily catch and release -- generates far more economic return to a nation than large commercial vessels that take, kill and move on to others waters while only having to pay a few license and permit fees.
“Once vessels like this are permitted to fish the region,” said Peel, “that nation's waters become depleted of many marine fish that are indicators of the health of their ecosystems. Large pelagic fish like billfish and tuna help support a number of jobs and industries throughout the Bahamas. Their presence in the waters is important also for balancing the functions of the ecosystems.”
Peel said TBF is sending its economic and scientific data to the Bahamian Prime Minister and other ministers and key officials there in hopes that they see the huge error and halt it before the purse seine vessel can ever drop its first net. She added that she’s prepared to go to the Bahamas immediately with scientists and reports to talk with officials about what they are considering.
Already the reaction is growing in the marine community after a TBF news alert was sent Thursday to its comprehensive network of members and supporters including concerned anglers, captains, mates, hotel and marina owners, tackle shops, tournament directors and other ancillary groups.
“We’ll see what happens hopefully to resolve this quickly in the coming weeks, if not days,” Peel said.
With its world headquarters based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., The Billfish Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy. The TBF web site can be found at billfish.org and phone number is 800-438-8247
###

2/22/2010 TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications,
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com

[administrator]

For Immediate Release

The Billfish Foundation troubled by
commercial netters in Bahamas Purse seine netters seeking permits in highly prized sportfishing/tourism locale

FT. LAUDERDALE, Florida, USA — A commercial Bahamian purse seine netting operation is attempting to obtain permits to begin operating in the islands of the Bahamas for yellowfin tuna, much to the frustration of conservation groups and sports fishing interests.
“If the Bahamian government authorizes commercial purse seining of tuna it could have a devastating effect,” said Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation.
“We are asking the government to consider a moratorium before any permits are issued.
“Purse seine netters are indiscriminate,” she added. “Such a large scale net vessel (with nets reportedly a mile long) will have bycatch trapped in the nets of not only blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and spearfish but it will also kill marine mammals such as porpoises and bottle nosed dolphin as well as endangered sea turtles.
“Attempts by commercial operators from Japan, Korean and Taiwan to seine net in the islands have been rejected over the years, but the current marine laws in the Bahamas apparently don’t exclude Bahamian operators within its own country like the one on Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, from setting up an operation,” said Peel.
Seines are large nets that hang like a vertical fence with weights at the bottom. The purse seine style of nets employ rings at the bottom in which a rope is fed through. As the boat encircles a school of fish the rope is pulled closing the net, not allowing the targeted fish, trapped billfish or mammals to escape below.
“That negative impact will kill the sportfishing tourism industry so vital to their nation.”
TBF Chief Scientist Dr. Russell Nelson added, "If they want to catch yellowfin they are going to end up using fish aggregating devices (FADs) which in turn will attract lots of billfish, dolphin, wahoo and other fish that will become bycatch and die."
TBF is asking for the Bahamian government to enact a moratorium so its law makers can have time to look at scientific and socio-economic data.
She asked, “Why would a nation that has demonstrated responsible fishery and ocean management for years now take huge steps backwards, steps that could economically and ecologically permanently damage the entire archipelago?”
Since its passing in 1994, Florida has banned netting in its coastal waters. Over the years studies have shown the extensive coastal fishery is once again rebounding.
Recent socio-economic studies completed by The Billfish Foundation in countries like Mexico and Costa Rica, document that responsible sportfishing of billfish -- primarily catch and release -- generates far more economic return to a nation than large commercial vessels that take, kill and move on to others waters while only having to pay a few license and permit fees.
“Once vessels like this are permitted to fish the region,” said Peel, “that nation's waters become depleted of many marine fish that are indicators of the health of their ecosystems. Large pelagic fish like billfish and tuna help support a number of jobs and industries throughout the Bahamas. Their presence in the waters is important also for balancing the functions of the ecosystems.”
Peel said TBF is sending its economic and scientific data to the Bahamian Prime Minister and other ministers and key officials there in hopes that they see the huge error and halt it before the purse seine vessel can ever drop its first net. She added that she’s prepared to go to the Bahamas immediately with scientists and reports to talk with officials about what they are considering.
Already the reaction is growing in the marine community after a TBF news alert was sent Thursday to its comprehensive network of members and supporters including concerned anglers, captains, mates, hotel and marina owners, tackle shops, tournament directors and other ancillary groups.
“We’ll see what happens hopefully to resolve this quickly in the coming weeks, if not days,” Peel said.
With its world headquarters based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., The Billfish Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy. The TBF web site can be found at billfish.org and phone number is 800-438-8247
###

2/22/2010 TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications,
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com

[administrator]

For Immediate Release

Netting: TBF is pleased Bahamian government
is responding in a positive manner;
anglers have opportunity to speak MondayTown Meeting on tuna netting issues, at the BNT in Freeport, Monday, March 1st

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., USA -- The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is pleased the Bahamian government is taking a quick response in addressing the issue of whether to permit the use of purse seine netting gear in its waters.
The concern began mid-February when two brothers in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island, wanting to start a commercial Bahamian purse seine netting operation for yellowfin tuna, attempted to obtain permits to begin operating much to the frustration of conservation groups and sports fishing interests.
“The negative response from anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors and conservation associations was immediate and forceful,” said TBF president Ellen Peel.
TBF, a non-profit association for the conservation of billfish, sent a letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, Lawrence Cartwright, detailing the egregious error of permitting purse seiners to operate in their waters.
The purse seine style of net hangs vertically and employs rings at the bottom in which a rope is fed through. As the boat deploys the net wrapping it around a school of fish the rope is pulled closing the net, not allowing the targeted fish, nor the trapped billfish, mammals, sea turtles and other species to escape below, adding to overfishing.
“In response the Bahamian government issued a statement that it is ‘not minded’ to permit the use of the netting gear and in so doing acknowledged the economic importance of sportfishing to their tourism industry and the threat such net gear could render to their marine species.”
Peel added that the robust sportfishing tourism economy driven by the availability of marlin and sailfish in the Bahamian waters would collapse if there were no billfish to catch.
“The Bahamas took the lead in 1977 to ban longlining in its waters, many years before Florida banned nets, and it now boosts an outstanding marine ecosystem.
“Working together good conservation pays off economically and ecologically.”

Town Meeting in Freeport, Monday to address the netting issue
Though the minister issued his opposition statement to permitting netting, TBF has learned the government, through the Grand Bahamas Regional Committee of the Bahamas National Trust, will host a town meeting in Freeport to discuss the netting of tuna in its waters.
It will take place Monday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the BNT’s Rand Nature Center on E. Settlers Way. For more information phone 242-352-5438. Each individual wishing to speak will be allowed five minutes to present their information to the government representatives. For those who cannot attend the meeting they can send their comments to the Honorable Larry Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture & Marine Resources at Larrycartwright@bahamas.gov and copy to the Bahamas National Trust on their website at: www.bnt.bs/contact_us.php.
With its world headquarters based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., The Billfish Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy. The TBF web site can be found at billfish.org and phone number is 800-438-8247
###

2/26/2010 TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications,
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA

[administrator]

Fishing is huge asset: North American anglers contribute
$599 million annually to Costa Rican economy

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Tourism is Costa Rica’s top industry and new research shows North Americans traveling there in 2008 to fish generated $599 million - or about two percent of Costa Rica’s gross domestic product.
The study, conducted in 2009 by The Billfish Foundation, Southwick Associates and the University of Costa Rica, revealed 283,790 anglers visited Costa Rica and their economic impact even overshadowed commercial fishing. It was estimated 22 percent of those tourists visited the country for the exclusive purpose of fishing.

Recreational fishing surpasses commercial fishing revenue; more CR jobs
From that $599 million the study also showed sportfishing generated almost $78 million in tax revenues for Costa Rica and 63,000 jobs. In comparison, the effect of commercial fishing for the same species sought by anglers generated approximately $528 million to Costa Rica’s gross domestic product. Commercial fishing contributed $68.6 million in tax revenue and created 57,000 jobs.
“We have already had the opportunity to present the results of this study to the incoming vice president and minister of tourism,” said Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation. “And we will be making a formal presentation to a wider cross sector of government and business leaders this summer. The leadership in Costa Rica had no idea that their country receives more benefits from a sustainable recreational harvest than from the subsidized excessive effort in the commercial fishery.”
The comprehensive study included interviewing tourists at Costa Rica’s major airports to estimate the percentage who fished while visiting. The research focused on the expenditures and economic impacts of marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and dorado; species that are the most frequent targets of commercial fisherman and recreational anglers.
It was estimated the 283,790 North Americans visiting Costa Rica in 2008 spent a total of $467 million. The survey revealed $329 million was spent on travel including lodging ($119 million), restaurants ($15.6 million), flights and fishing guides ($88 million) and land transportation ($6 million). These dollars then change hands multiple times in Costa Rica, creating significant benefits for the nation’s gross domestic product. In addition, visitors spent approximately $105 million outside of CostaRica prior to arrival for airfare or other travel expenses, though these dollars are not included in the economic analyses.
About 3,700 of those visiting Costa Rica have their own boats in the country, whether permanently or temporarily, and they spent approximately $138 million for items such as fuel ($45.6 million), maintenance and repairs ($25 million), furniture and accessories for their vessels ($48 million), staff and crews ($2.8 million), marina fees ($16.6 million), and taxes and insurance ($1.8 million).
“TBF believes that only when decision makers understand the economic importance of good fishing opportunities for tourist anglers will billfish conservation get on the radar screen of government leaders charged with economic development as well as fisheries management,“ said Dr. Russell Nelson chief scientist for TBF. “And now thanks to the dedication of TBF members and generous donors who have supported our socio-economic research, we are making the point.”
Additional work conducted in the U.S. by Southwick Associates, Inc. estimated 7.5 million Americans fished outside of their country in 2009 with 3.6 percent of them traveling to Costa Rica. Among anglers vacationing in Costa Rica, 40 percent said they would not have visited the country if they could not fish. Those anglers, who represent 116,000 visitors per year and about $135 million in tourism income for Costa Rica, said the main factor in determining their satisfaction is “quality of fishing” followed by “relative peace and quiet,” and “fishing services, boat and crew quality.” The majority of anglers reported they visited Costa Rica to catch billfish including sailfish, marlin along with dorado. Inshore species such as snook and tarpon were less frequent targets.

More socio-economic fishing studies on tap in region
“This was the first study done in Central America that compares the economic contributions of recreational and commercial fishing for the same species,” said Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, who coordinated design and methodology, management and monitoring of this research and generated information regarding U.S. anglers’ international travel activities. “We’ve completed similar work for Los Cabos, Mexico, and the results produced almost immediate benefits to fisheries management and conservation.”
That study found the Los Cabos area benefited by $1.1 billion to the economy.
Based on the success of socio-economic research in Mexico and Costa Rica, TBF already has entered into discussions with the new administration in Panama to conduct similar studies in that country.
Complete reports are available at: www.billfish.org (http://www.billfish.org/)
###

About The Billfish Foundation
The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations around the world. TBF's comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs and sportfishing businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, TBF is able to work for solutions that are good for billfish and not punitive to recreational anglers. For more information, visit www.billfish.org (http://www.billfish.org/new/index.asp). TBF’s phone number is 800-438-8247.

About Southwick Associates
Southwick Associates specializes in quantifying the business-side of fish and wildlife. We help natural resource agencies & the outdoor industries understand the retail sales, economic impacts, and other benefits business and people receive from wildlife and fisheries. For more information, visit www.southwickassociates.com (http://www.southwickassociates.com/).

Contacts: Southwick Associates: Donna@southwickassociates.com (Donna@southwickassociates.com)
TBF PR Counsel: Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications, Inc.
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) 480-951-0040 (fax)
JohnsonCom@aol.com (e-mail)

[administrator]

For Immediate Release (with photos upon request)

Another sportfishing vessel attacked off Costa Rica
Helicopter drops explosive devices as Venezuela tuna seiner threatens tourists; tenth attack in past two years

GARZA, Costa Rica and FT. LAUDERDALE, Florida, USA --- A U.S. based world fisheries conservation association is demanding disciplinary action after the attack by a commercial Venezuelan tuna purse seining vessel and its helicopter on a sportfishing boat off the coast of Costa Rica.
The incident has been reported and posted with photos on The Billfish Foundation’s website billfish.org (http://www.jerrylabella.com/forums/www.billfish.org).
On Sunday August 1, at approximately 3 p.m. the Silver-Rod-O, a U.S. sportfishing vessel owned by TBF member Gary Carter, of Duluth, Ga., was assaulted by the Venezuelan flagged tuna purse seiner La Rosa Mistica while fishing approximately 15 miles off the coast of Garza, Costa Rica.
According to Carter the Silver-Rod-O was fishing around a school of spinner dolphin for yellowfin tuna and billfish, when the helicopter from La Rosa Mistica began circling the area. “We were celebrating one of our guest's first-ever sailfish release, when the seiner veered from its course and headed directly toward our boat. The helicopter then began making passes over the anglers and as the seiner came closer and began setting its net, the helicopter started dropping incendiary devises around the Silver-Rod-O and the school of spinners. “Several explosives landed within 50 meters of the boat. The purse seiner continued to power straight toward our boat,” Carter said, “It was threatening to either encircle us in their net or to plow us into the sea unless we abandoned the school of dolphin.Rather than endanger our guests, we retreated and watched and listened as the La Rosa Mistica closed the net and its crew obnoxiously celebrated its victory.”
TBF President Ellen Peel said, “This is the tenth vessel attacked off Costa Rica in the past two years. In June of 2008 nine vessels were similarly attacked in two incidents off of Quepos and Los Suenos.TBF has previously appealed to the Costa Rican Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute INCOPESCA (Instituto Costarricense de Pesca y Acuicultura) to take punitive action against these purse seine vessels, fishing in Costa Rican waters under Costa Rican licenses to no avail.
“I have sent a letter to the new Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla with copies to Second Vice President Luis Liberman, the Minister of Agriculture Gloria Abraham, Vice Minister of Agriculture Xinia Chaves, Minister of Tourism Carlos Ricardo Benavides and Luis Dobles President of INCOPESCA, demanding that an investigation into this incident and appropriate action against the captain and owners of La Rosa Mistica be launched immediately.
“We are also notifying U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Anne Slaughter Andrew of this attack,” said Peel.
The purse seiner is owned by Ingopesca, S.A. and registered out of the port of Callao in Venezuela. It is not known if this is one of the 30 trawling vessels expropriated from private owners by Venezuela President Hugo Chavez’s government in the spring of 2009 for use with setting up fish processing plants there.
Joan Vernon, TBF Board member and like Carter is a part-time resident of Costa Rica was outraged by the attack.
“The Costa Rican government has to do something to show these foreign seiners that this sort of behavior will not be tolerated before someone gets injured or killed out there,” she said. “Already we are hearing reports of local captains arming themselves in case of more such incidents.”
Costa Rica licenses many foreign purse seine vessels to fish in their national waters and land tuna to be processed in Costs Rica.
“It is ironic that another such assault has occurred just a few weeks before TBF formally presents the results of its study on the relative economic contribution of sports and commercial fishing in Costa Rica to government officials in San Jose,” noted TBF scientist Dr. Russell Nelson, adding “We have documented that sports fishing tourism contributes more to the Costa Rican gross national economy than commercial fishing, adding over $599 million annually, and $138 million of that comes directly from folks like Gary Carter who maintain a vessel and crew in that nation.”
Peel concluded, “If Costa Rica won’t address this sort of outrage and also take better care of the marine resources like sailfish and marlin that drive this economic engine, they will find people moving elsewhere and taking their money with them.”
She also noted within the past month another Central American nation issued a decree banning purse seining in its waters.
“In July, Panama’s President Ricardo Martinelli issued an executive order prohibiting purse seine vessels from fishing within the nation’s waters – a much wiser stance, one that allows commercial fishing beyond 200 miles and recreational fishing within the 200 mile zone.”
TBF has been working with the numerous governments worldwide – some for over a decade – for the expansion of conservation measures and laws to protect billfish, mainly from overfishing coastal fisheries by commercial interests, while implementing tag and release programs for sportsmen.
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About The Billfish Foundation
The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations around the world. TBF's comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs and sportfishing businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, TBF is able to work for solutions that are good for billfish and not punitive to recreational anglers. For more information, visit www.billfish.org (http://www.billfish.org/new/index.asp). TBF’s phone number is 800-438-8247.

8/6/2010
TBF PR Counsel: Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications, Inc.
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) 480-951-0040 (fax)
JohnsonCom@aol.com (e-mail)

[administrator]

For Immediate Release
The Billfish Foundation encouraging recreational anglers
and boaters to be voices in Gulf Restoration Plan

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., -- As the pending Gulf Restoration Plan is being produced The Billfish Foundation is encouraging recreational anglers and boaters, especially those in the Gulf states most affected by the April 20th oil disaster, to urge the government to include the sportfishing segment in the plan.
“Boating and the sportfishing industry employ some 300,000 individuals in the region generating an economic stimulus of $41 billion dollars annually,” said TBF President Ellen Peel. “It includes a wide array of marine related manufacturing, sales, service and diverse support and enhancement businesses ranging from artists to yacht builders and brokers. The coastal towns, individuals and the recreational fishing and boating businesses suffered significant economic losses resulting from the oil disaster. Individuals who normally enjoy the Gulf's beautiful resources have been unable to do so in light of access issues and safety concerns,” she added.
“If we are ever going to see positive changes in the Gulf, we must impress upon the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, who is charged with writing the Gulf Restoration Plan, the need to include recreational fishing and boating as a major segment in it. E-mails are urgently needed to be sent to the Secretary at: restoreourcoast@gmail.com (restoreourcoast@gmail.com),” she emphasized.
A draft letter is included on the TBF website billfish.org (http://www.jerrylabella.com/forums/billfish.org) for anglers to use or compose their own version. She said the critical point is to send it in now and encouraged anglers to pass it on to their friends so sportfishing and boating will be counted in the Gulf Restoration Plan.
The TBF letter in part reads: The recreational boating and fishing community has a long standing relationship with the offshore energy industry, for large rigs attract big fish and big fish attract anglers. Our industry is comprised of responsible users of the resources who utilize conservation compatible practices. We look forward to the day when we each can return to fishing all the waters of the Gulf, as this is a way of life that has added positive values and benefits to citizens of and visitors to the region.
(See TBF’s website – billfish.org (http://www.billfish.org/) - for the entire draft letter to forward to Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy who is charged with writing the Gulf Restoration Plan)






The failure to include a fishery management expert on the team of experts that traveled the Gulf with you for town hall meetings concerns our community for it may indicate a disregard for the recreational fishing and boating industry and each of the interests therein. We hope that you have corrected this oversight and will include our interests as a major sector in the Gulf Restoration Plan.
It is time for a paradigm change in the Gulf so that overfishing is not allowed to leave fish vulnerable to unexpected stresses, like the oil spill. We should strive to make the Gulf a model for a new way to safely and responsibly manage our ocean resources. Anglers want healthy fish stocks, access to resources and strong resulting economies.
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To further address the issue of overfishing, TBF recently launched a program called “Gulf Thunder” a campaign uniting strong sportfishing voices against numerous issues including outdated government fishery management strategies and the government’s bias in favor of commercial fishing gear and overfishing practices. For more on the TBF campaign please go to http://billfish.org/1206-gulf-thunder-campaign (http://billfish.org/1206-gulf-thunder-campaign) or call the TBF offices at 1-800-438-8247.
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9/2/2010 TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications,
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com

[administrator]

For Immediate Release

Panama is first Central American country
to add longlining restrictions within its waters

PANAMA CITY, Panama and FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., USA – After banning commercial purse seining from its waters in July, the Republic of Panama has taken further steps adding restrictions on longlining for the conservation of its marine life and its socio-economic growth.
In letters to Panamanian officials, Ellen Peel, President of The Billfish Foundation and Chris Fischer founder of OCEARCH, applauded the government for becoming the first of the seven Central America nations to restrict pelagic longline gear within its waters. The practice of commercial longlining in the region uses hundreds of baited hooks attached to short lengths of line spaced at intervals to main lines. The longliners target swordfish and tuna, but also hook bycatch species including sharks, turtles and recreational billfish like marlin and sailfish.
Panama’s Executive Decree 486 signed by President Ricardo Martinelli on Dec. 28, 2010, prohibits longline vessels of over six tons from operating within the nation’s waters.
“This action,” said Ms. Peel, “is the latest in a growing trend that makes Panama one of the most proactive, innovative and committed fishery managers in the world and results from the increasing influence of the collective sportfishing community.
“After prohibiting tuna purse seining in July the signing of these two agreements acts directly on two of the greatest sources of overfishing of marlin and tuna species while creating appropriate sustainable management plans for billfish and other popular game fish vital to growing sportfishing and tourism in the Central America region.”
OCEARCH’s Fischer who is also on the board of TBF said, “Through this decree the Republic of Panama becomes a global leader in the responsible management of ocean resources and a more established force in the international sportfishing tourism marketplace.”
In Panama, Dr. Ruben Berrocal, National Secretary of SENACYT (Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación) added, "The President's decision underscores his commitment to preserving our natural resources for future generations; and the economic and scientific benefits these measures produce are well-established. Through sustainable marine management efforts and the careful consideration of important advocacy programs to maintain our game fish--such as those supported by The Billfish Foundation--we are committed to ensure that Panama remains a world-renowned destination where commerce, science and economic productivity can live in harmony.”
TBF, through a 2009 agreement with the Organization of Fisheries and Aquaculture for the Isthmus of Central America (OSPESCA), developed a management plan for sportfishing in the seven nation region assisting each nation in developing appropriate national conservation goals to enhance sportfishing tourism. It includes recreational fishing monitoring and data collecting programs using TBF tags and catch reports to gather vital statistics for decision makers to better understand the dynamics of sportfishing as an important economic tool.
TBF has been working with the governments of Mexico, Costa Rica and Peru – some for over a decade – to protect billfish, mainly from overfishing coastal fisheries by commercial interests, while implementing tag and release programs for sportsmen.
Established 25 years ago, The Billfish Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations around the world. TBF's comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs and sportfishing businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, TBF is able to work for solutions that are good for billfish and not punitive to recreational anglers. Visit www.billfish.org (http://www.billfish.org/new/index.asp) or to reach Ms. Peel, ph. 800-438-8247, ex.108.
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1/13/2011
TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Comm, Scottsdale, Ariz., USA.
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com (JohnsonCom@aol.com)
Commercial longlining ships like this Panamanian vessel photographed off Panama will now be banned in the waters of the Central American nation, from setting hundreds of baited hooks to its lines which attract bycatch species like billfish, turtles and sharks. The recent presidential decree is a huge triumph for conservation, recreational catch-and-release sportfishing efforts and for the socio-economy of the region. (Photo courtesy of Elliott Stark, The Billfish Foundation)

[administrator]

The Billfish Foundation is kicking off its 25th anniversary with a very cool membership drive and three great fishing trips to winners in three levels. Here's a short release with a logo attached announcing the "TBF Experience." Thanks for your consideration in reading and possibly using. my best, pete j.
For Immediate Release w/logo
The Billfish Foundation kicks off its TBF Experience
25th Anniversary membership drive features
three levels of billfish adventures as prizes

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA. – To celebrate its 25th anniversary, and the spirit of pelagic fisheries conservation, The Billfish Foundation has launched an exciting membership drive -- for new members and those renewing, to experience some of the best of what billfishing has to offer -- an event aptly named the TBF Experience.
“It may be the most exciting membership drive tool we have ever had.” said Ellen Peel who has been at the helm as TBF’s President for over 15 years. “We have three prize trips with expert captains in three of the world’s greatest billfishing destinations, and they all are fantastic.”
“The exciting trip giveaway and membership premium program is now up on the TBF website at http://billfish.org/sections/234-tbf-experience (http://billfish.org/sections/234-tbf-experience) ” added TBF Science and Policy Specialist Elliott Stark who coordinated the event. “We have a one day trip with Bouncer Smith in Miami Fla. USA; two days fishing with Brad Philipps in Guatemala, and three days with Wade Richardson in Panama. I’m pretty excited about how this drive has turned out.”
Simply joining or renewing a TBF membership between now and Oct. 26, 2011, at the levels listed below, gets you in the running. If you’ve already joined TBF since Oct. 1, 2010, then you’re already entered. Here are the three levels:

$75—Atlantic Sailfish out of Miami Beach, Florida with Capt. Bouncer Smith
Members who join or renew at $75 are entered for a full day of sailfishing for two with world famous Captain Bouncer Smith on “Bouncer’s Dusky.” Captain Bouncer has won numerous TBF Top Captain Awards and is a recognized authority on live baiting and kite fishing and has fished Miami for more than 30 years. Bouncer’s website is http://captbouncer.com/ (http://captbouncer.com/)

$250— Pacific Sailfish and Blue Marlin in Guatemala Captain Brad Philipps,
Joining or renewing at $250 will be entered to win a two day, three night fishing package with Captain Brad Philipps in Guatemala on the Decisive. Captain Philipps has released over 20,000 billfish. He has won innumerable TBF Top Captain Awards and is recognized around the world for his fishing skills. Brad’s website is http://www.GuatBillAdv.com/ (http://www.guatbilladv.com/)

$500—Black and Blue Marlin Fishing in Panama with Captain Wade Richardson
Members joining or renewing at $500 or higher (one chance per $500, two chances for $1,000, etc.) are entered to win a three day trip to fish out of Panama’s Pearl Islands. A winner and three guests will use live bait, bait-and-switch, and lure such fish as black and/or blue marlin, Pacific sails, big dorado, and yellowfin tuna on Richardson’s The Hooker, a trip only available through the TBF Experience. This trip includes four nights and three days accommodations at the beautiful Hacienda del Mar on San Jose Island http://haciendadelmar.net (http://haciendadelmar.net/)
Winners will be drawn in October at The Billfish Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Dinner during the Fort Lauderdale Intl. Boat Show. Trips will be scheduled for 2012. More on the trips, with photos, will appear in “In the Spread” on TBF’s website www.billfish.org (http://www.billfish.org/) For more information please visit the TBF website or contact Elliott Stark at 954-938-0150 ext. 101
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Pete Johnson (PR counsel for The Billfish Foundation -- billfish.org)
Johnson Communications, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Ph: 480-951-3654; e-mail: JohnsonCom@aol.com