HOT News from the IGFA

March 2006

The IGFA mourns the loss of Curt Gowdy, America’s most versatile sportscaster, The American Sportsman and IGFA Trustee, at 86

Curt Gowdy, who over a span of seven decades brought a warmth and smooth delivery to his radio, TV and cable sportscasts and was known to millions of fishermen and hunters as The American Sportsman, died Monday, February 20 at the age of 86.

Gowdy passed away at his winter home in Palm Beach, Fla. The cause of death was acute leukemia.

Since 1951 he lived in the Boston Mass., and also retained a summer residence in Sugar Hill, N.H.

Curt had been on the board of trustees for the International Game Fish Association since 1985. One of his proudest moments he said was his induction into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame in 2003. Among his many honors he had been inducted into 19 other halls of fame including sports, broadcasting and conservation.

“As an IGFA Trustee for more than 20 years and a man who symbolized all that is right and good in our sport, Curt Gowdy will be deeply missed,” said IGFA President Rob Kramer. “The fishing world has truly lost an icon.”

A pioneer of radio sportscasting in the 1940s and TV in the early 1950s, Gowdy was the most prolific and versatile national sportscaster of the 1960s and 1970s. His demanding schedule called upon him to cover more major sports events than anyone in broadcasting history. It included coverage of an astounding 16 World Series, 12 Rose Bowls, nine Super Bowls (including the first one in 1967), 16 MLB All-Star Games, eight Olympic Games and 24 NCAA Final Fours of collegiate basketball.

Working for four major networks, he enjoyed a wide fan base, critical acclaim and the respect of his peers for his in-depth preparation.

“I grew up in northern Maine where the only two constants were seven months of winter and Red Sox baseball on radio,” recalled Mike Myatt, IGFA corporate relations director.  “During the season and 15 years of them, Curt Gowdy made us forget all about winter.”

Among the tens of millions of fishermen and hunters across North America, Gowdy is regarded as the consummate outdoorsman for his role as the host and producer of The American Sportsman, which aired on Sunday afternoons from January to March across three decades. It was originally introduced in 1963 by ABC as a competitive fishing segment filmed on the border of Chile and Argentina for ABC’s Wide World of Sports. The American Sportsman later brought the top entertainers, athletes and U.S. Presidents of the day, who liked to fish and hunt, into millions of homes during the winter months.

In a recent interview before his death, Gowdy spoke about growing up in his native Wyoming and the early lessons on fly fishing, conservation and catch-and-release taught by his father Ed in the 1920s:”The daily limit for trout was 20 then, now it’s two.  I was about to put a fish in my creel when my father said ‘Curtis, remember the buffalo. There used to be millions of them on these plains, and then they were gone.’  I released that fish because we already had enough for food and my father’s words stuck with me the rest of my life.  He worried about the future of game fish in this country and what could happen to them.”

Gowdy is survived by his wife Jerre, daughter Cheryl Ann of Palm Beach and Boston, and sons Curt Jr. of New Canaan, Conn., and Trevor, Beverly Farms, Mass. Curt is survived by five grandchildren; Taylor, Katie, Grace, Alexa and Trevor

Contributions in his honor can be made to the Curt Gowdy State Park in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Donations should be made out to Curt Gowdy State Park and sent to Julie Huntley, Division of Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites (for use at the park) Barrett Building, 2301 Central Ave, Cheyenne,  WY 82002.

Contributions also in loving memory of Curt can also be made to the Jimmy Fund in Boston at http://www.jimmyfund.org/. The Jimmy Fund supports the fight against cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world-renowned pioneer in discovering and developing innovative, effective cancer therapies for both children and adults. The phone number for the Jimmy Fund is 1-800-52 JIMMY, or gifts can be sent to the Jimmy Fund, c/o Contribution Services, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, Mass. 02445.

For further information e-mail Pete Johnson at johnsoncom@aol.com or 480-951-3654 or Cheryl Ann Gowdy at Cheryl@gowdyinternational.com or 561-653-9999.

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New Pending World Records

Each month the International Game Fish Association highlights documented fish catches from across the globe. IGFA world records coordinator Rebecca Reynolds provided the information on these 10 new potential records before the committee:

New Zealand teenager Ricky Corden of Kaeo, Northland, had an exciting catch that may beat an existing record by 30 pounds. The 14-year old boated a yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) after more than one hour fight while trolling the local waters of Wekaroa, Whangarda. It weighed 165 lb 4 oz (75 kg) for a potential male junior record. The current record is 134 lb 7 oz recorded two years ago. (Photo: yellowfin tuna –06020038)

Another junior angler, Bailee Casby, 8, Morgan Hill, Calif., U.S.A., landed a 2 lb 9 oz (1.16 kg) black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) using a mini jig while fishing Clear Lake, Calif. She’s hoping her catch will beat the current five year old female smallfry record mark of 1 lb 4 oz.  (Photo: black crappie – 06020012JR)

Koji Shitara, Naha-Shi, Okinawa, Japan, landed an oxeye tarpon (Megalops Oyprinoides) weighing 4 lb 3 oz (1.9 kg) on 16 lb class line in three minutes.  Koji made the catch while fishing Yomitan, Okinawa and has a chance at filling in a previously vacant record. (Photo: oxeye tarpon — 06020017)

Fishing the Rio Guatiquia in Columbia, Alejandro Linares, of Medellin, landed a Sardinata (Brycon whitei) weighing 4 lb 0 oz.  The fish was attracted by an in-line spinner. Alejandro is hoping the fish and documentation will establish a new all-tackle record in the 2007 World Record Game Fishes annual. (Photo:  Sardinata – 06020019)

While fly-fishing in Kona, Hawaii, Acha Lord, Reading, Mass., U.S.A landed a 2 lb 8 oz (1.13 kg) yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) on 4 lb tippet while fishing with a pink petras. Acha hopes to see her name in the presently vacant line of the IGFA record books. (Photo: yellowfin tuna – 06020037)

Four pound tippet was also used by Pam W. Marmin, Miami Shores, Florida, U.S.A. who landed a cero mackerel (Scomberomorus regalis) in five minutes. She made the catch which weighed 3 lb 15 oz (1.79 kg) while fishing Key West, Florida.  She’s hoping to set a new mark over the previous four-year old mark of 3 lb 8 oz caught in the same waters. (Photo: cero mackerel – 06020022)

Marc S. Heiden, Florence, South Carolina, U.S.A landed a queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula) weighing 9 lb 4 oz (2.40 kg) while bottom fishing Murrell’s Inlet, S.C. He’s in line for an all-tackle entry over the current record of 6 lb 5 oz caught in July of 2000. (Photo:  queen triggerfish — 06020028)

Bernice Stark, San Diego, Calif., U.S.A is up for a new women’s 50 lb line class record after landing a white seabass (Atractoscion noblis) weighing 59 lb 0 oz (26.76 kg). She was jigging the waters of Puertocitos, Baja California, Mexico when the catch was made and hopes to beat the 38 year-old record of 44 lb 3 oz, established May 28, 1968.  (Photo: white seabass – 06020029)

Dr. Julie Ball, Virginia Beach, Va., U.S.A, landed a 5 lb 11 oz (2.57 kg) black sea bass (Centropristis striata) on 16 lb class line. She was bottom fishing the 44 Fathom Wreck off Virginia Beach.  The current record is 4 lb 14 oz caught in 1988.   (Photo: black sea bass — 06020033)

An all-tackle record may be in the hands of Adrian Lewis, Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia who landed a shortbill spearfish (Tetrapturus angustirostis) weighing 82 lb 2 oz (36.8 kg) trolling a yakula.  It took him 25 minutes to fight the fish taken in the White Island waters of New Zealand in the vicinity of where two current 74 lb. record shortbills were taken last year and in 1999. (Photo: shortbill spearfish – 06020030)

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More teams signed for seventh Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship

By early March over 60 teams from 28 countries on five continents have signed up to compete in the seventh annual Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship Tournament, May 7 – 12, off the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja peninsula.

Considered by blue water anglers as the offshore fishing championship of the world, the prestigious tournament is expected to host the single largest contingent of international teams ever to compete in a fishing competition.

“We could again have tournament representation from more than 30 countries,” said tournament coordinator Ms. Lynda Wilson.  Pre-registered are four past Rolex/IGFA championship teams plus 22 teams from the U.S.

Nearly 70 teams from 31 countries competed last year catching, tagging and releasing a record 517 billfish (503 striped marlin and14 sailfish).

Teams for the 2006 championship had previously qualified by winning one of 110 IGFA sanctioned events held in 40 countries worldwide during 2005. For the fifth straight year Cabo San Lucas, Mexico will be the location for the four-day catch-and-release event.

At the Rolex/IGFA OCT, the teams will fish on a different boat all guided by local captains each of the four days for marlin and other billfish.

Updated information and a listing of the registered teams can be found on the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org and clicking on “tournaments” under the fishing tab on the home page.

Questions regarding the OCT can be directed to Ms. Wilson at 954-924-4233 or via e-mail at LWilson@igfa.org.  Questions regarding sign-up of qualifying tournaments for the 2007 Rolex/IGFA OCT should be directed to Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or via e-mail at LArico@igfa.org.

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Rolex/IGFA Inshore Championship attracting more top anglers

Despite the cancellation of six qualifying fishing tournaments because of hurricanes and a tsunami last year, the field of anglers continues to grow for this summer’s sixth annual Rolex/IGFA Inshore Championship Tournament, July 9 – 12.

“So far 37 top light-tackle and fly fishermen from the U.S., Canada, the Bahamas and Africa are pre-registered for the Rolex/IGFA ICT,” said Ms. Denise Hartman tournament coordinator.

She added that even more men and women are expected to compete after qualifying wins in one of over 55 light tackle IGFA sanctioned tournaments around the world in 2005 held in six countries and 12 states.

Since its inception the tournament has been held in Islamorada, in the middle of the Florida Keys.

The prestigious inshore event features anglers stalking bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook and redfish on Florida Bay guided by different captains over the three-day catch-and-release competition while vying for engraved Rolex timepieces, prizes and the prestigious grand champion title.

For the latest details, go to the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org under the fishing tab on the home page and click on “tournaments.” For questions regarding this tournament or the sanctioning of qualifying tournaments for the 2007 Rolex/IGFA ICT, contact Ms. Hartman at 954-924-4243 or DHartman@igfa.org .

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Still room for junior anglers at IGFA Spring Break Camp

The IGFA is offering up to 40 youngsters from ages eight to 13, an exciting camp during spring break week at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla. The day camp will take place April 10-14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Before and after-care is available from 8-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.

Many different and fun aquatic activities are planned such as daily fishing tournaments, fishing techniques, wetlands exploration, shark ecology, boat rides, dissections and more.

Pre-registration is required.

Daily and weekly rates are available. A $25 discount will be given for full week registrations if registration and payment is made by March 24^th. More information is on the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org/springcamp.asp. Registration is available online at http://www.igfa.org/camps.asp, or by calling (954) 924-4309 or email reservations@igfa.org.

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Looking ahead: Nine Weekly Summer Camps at the IGFA

Registration is underway for nine weekly day camps being held during the summer at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum for children in ages 8 – 13.

The week-long camp sessions will take place from May 30 to July 28, 2006.

Campers will explore the aquatic environment and participate in many fishing adventures and exciting activities. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Before and after-care is available from 8-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.

Pre-registration is required. If you register and pay by May 12th, you will receive a $25 discount.  For more information, check out the IGFA website at www.igfa.org/summercamp.asp. There is a maximum of 45 children per week, so reserve your spot today! You can register online at www.igfa.org/campform.asp , call (954) 924-4309 or email reservations@igfa.org.

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IGFA to host Brazilian Sportfishing Conference in Vitoria, Brazil

Vitoria, Brazil is the site for the IGFA’s Brazilian Sportfishing Conference, November 1 – 3, 2006.  Different segments of the recreational fishing community in that region will be brought together to discuss the current state of Brazil’s fisheries.  Invited speakers will make presentations addressing one or more of the following topics.

ü       Historical and current status of recreational fishing in Brazil,

ü       Species and locations of special interest to recreational anglers,

ü       Economic value of recreational fishing in Brazil,

ü       Existing or potential negative ramifications from Brazil’s expanding recreational fisheries,

ü       Communication between anglers and fisheries and environmental management,

ü       Catch and release policies and technologies,

ü       Recommendations for responsible ecological and economic development of Brazil’s recreational fisheries.

Portuguese and English translations will be provided by on-site interpreters for the presentations and panel discussions.

Following the conference on Nov. 4, the IGFA will host a workshop and meeting for IGFA staff and IGFA representatives from Brazil.

For more information regarding attending or presenting a talk, please contact Jason Schratwieser, IGFA conservation director at JSchratwieser@igfa.org.

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Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee meets

The Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) held its first public meeting of 2006 at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla. USA, in mid-February.

The MAFAC advises the Secretary of Commerce of the United States on all living marine resource matters that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce, said Rob Kramer, President of IGFA. Its 21 members represent a wide spectrum of fisheries interests, environmental, academic, state, tribal, consumer and other related national interests.

“As a member of the MAFAC committee for over two years now, I felt compelled to request that the meeting be held in South Florida at the IGFA to better showcase the economic significance of the recreational fishing and boating communities,” said Kramer.  “This was very relevant for this particular meeting as recreational fishing on an international level along with data collection from the recreational fishing industry were two topics on the agenda.”

Dr. Bill Hogarth, Vice Chair of the MAFAC and Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, presided over the meeting, which was open for public comment.  Items discussed included the Offshore Aquaculture Act, Seafood Health and Safety, Hurricane Impacts and Recovery and Recreational Fisheries.  The Committee functions solely as an advisory body, complying with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

MAFAC members will use their expertise and other sources, such as the National Marine Fisheries Service, to review and propose priorities and necessary changes in national programs which include the ongoing reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens, the Endangered Species and the Marine Mammal Protection Acts.

In addition to the three days of meetings at the IGFA, Kramer organized a tour of Merritt Yacht Broker’s ship yard and the south Florida inter-coastal waterway.

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Calendar of future IGFA events:

March 18, 2006 — Third Annual IGFA World Record Achievement Awards, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA. – This celebration marks the 2005 records by men, women, juniors, professional captains and tackle manufacturers.  For reservations and tickets ($75) for the ceremony please call Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or via email LArico@igfa.org.

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April 10-14, 2006 — IGFA Junior Angler Spring Break Camp, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA. — The IGFA is offering up to 40 youngsters from the ages of 8 to 13, a day camp during the spring break featuring exciting aquatic activities such as: daily fishing tournaments, fishing techniques, wetlands exploration, shark ecology, boat rides, and dissections. Children registered for a full week will receive a discounted rate and a Junior Angler membership. Pre-registration is required. A $25 discount will be given for full week registrations if registration and payment is made by March 24^th. More information is on the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org/springcamp.asp.  Registration is available online at www.igfa.org/campform.asp, or by calling (954) 924-4309 or email reservations@igfa.org.

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May 7 – 12, 2006 — Seventh Annual Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship Tournament, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. — Fishing’s most prestigious billfish tournament hosts more than 70 winning teams from up to 40 countries on six continents who have qualified by winning one of 110 IGFA sanctioned events held in 2005. This tournament is the largest contingent of international teams to compete in a single catch-and-release fishing tournament world wide. Contact IGFA tournament coordinator Ms. Lynda Wilson at 954-924-4233 or lwilson@igfa.org; or Rolex/IGFA PR counsel Pete Johnson at 480-951-3654 or johnsoncom@aol.com

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May 30 — July 28, 2006 — IGFA’s nine weekly Summer Camps begin, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA – This is the seventh year of the IGFA’s popular nine weekly camps held during the summer break for children ages 8 to 13.  Campers will explore the aquatic environment and participate in many fishing adventures and exciting activities.  Each week-long camp session is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Before and after-care is available from 8 – 9 a.m. and 4 – 6 p.m.   Pre-registration is required.  A $25 discount will be given if registered and paid by May 12^th. For more information, go to the IGFA summer camp website at www.igfa.org/summercamp.asp. There’s a maximum of 45 children per week, so parents are encouraged to reserve early. Registration is available online at www.igfa.org/campform.asp, by calling (954) 924-4309 or via email at reservations@igfa.org.

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June 18 – 20, 2006 — Fourth Annual Mercury/IGFA Junior Angler World Championship Tournament, Key West, Fla., USA — This event hosts girls and boys, ages five to 16, who have advanced to this all-release championship by winning one of over 30 qualifying fishing tournaments held in the U.S. and several countries in 2005. Anglers ages five -10 compete in the smallfry division; ages 11-16 in the junior division. The youngsters caught and released 920 fish in the 2005 championship. Accompanied by a parent and guided by local IGFA approved Florida Keys captains, the young anglers fish in pairs with another junior or small fry angler over two days for a variety of 23 eligible five-to-25 point species. Contact Peter Gaube, IGFA Junior Angler coordinator 954-927-2628 or pgaube@igfa.org or Pete Johnson, IGFA PR counsel at 480-951-3654 or johnsoncom@aol.com

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July 9 – 12, 2006 — Sixth Annual Rolex/IGFA Inshore Championship Tournament, Islamorada, Fla., USA — The winners of more than 55 IGFA  qualifying tournaments held in 2005 on four continents are invited to compete in this three day all release championship. They are paired with a different premier Keys guide each day fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook and redfish using fly or light tackle equipment while vying for Rolex timepieces, prizes and the prestigious title. Contact: tournament coordinator Ms. Denise Hartman 954-927-2628 or dhartman@igfa.org; or Pete Johnson, Rolex/IGFA PR counsel at 480-951-3654 or johnsoncom@aol.com

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September 20 – 22, 2006 — Mediterranean Congress of Sea Game Fishing, Palma de Mallorca, Spain —  Esteban Graupera, the IGFA Representative for Spain and President, Federacion Mediterranea Para Una Pesca Responsible, is organizing the First Mediterranean Congress of Sea Game Fishing.  Among the objectives of the Congress will be to define the recreational fishing activity in the Mediterranean and determine relative economic, social and environmental policies; evaluate the applications of recreational fishing and how to apply them to sustainable tourism; responsible fishing and self regulation; socioeconomic monitoring; along with possible alternatives for the commercial fishing sector. Preceding the conference on September 19^th, the IGFA will host a workshop and meeting for IGFA staff and representatives from Europe For more information email Graupera at e.g@mediterranea-fpr.org or go to http://www.mediterranea-fpr.org/principal.html.

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October 24, 2006 — Eighth annual IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, at the IGFA headquarters in Dania Beach, Fla., U.S.A. — Honorees are annually selected for their important contributions they have made to the sport of fishing through angling achievements, literature, the arts, science, education, invention, communication or administration of fishery resources. The evening includes a cocktail reception, silent auction, the induction ceremony for the 2006 class and dinner.  For reservation information please call Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222.

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November 1 –  3, 2006 — IGFA Brazilian Sportfishing Conference, Vitoria, Brazil — Many segments of Brazil’s recreational fishing community will gather to discuss the current state of Brazil’s fisheries. The conference will include addressing topics such as the historical and current status of recreational fishing in Brazil; species and locations of special interest to recreational anglers; the economic value of recreational fishing in Brazil; existing or potential negative ramifications from Brazil’s expanding recreational fisheries, catch and release policies and technologies plus more. Portuguese and English translators will be on-site for the presentations and panel discussions. Following the conference on Nov. 4, the IGFA will host a workshop and meeting for IGFA staff and IGFA representatives from Brazil. For more information regarding attending or presenting a talk, please contact Jason Schratwieser, IGFA conservation director at JSchratwieser@igfa.org.

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January 26, 2006 — 23^rd Annual IGFA International Auction & Banquet, The Breakers, Palm Beach, Fla., USA, — A wide range of more than 250 live and silent auction items are featured in the premier fundraising event of the year for the nonprofit, worldwide membership-supported conservation and record-keeping organization.  For reservation information for the auction and banquet please call Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or via email LArico@igfa.org.

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