Florida

[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]

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

[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]

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]

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

[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]

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]

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]

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
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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]

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