| IGFTO Highlights - Past, Present & Future |
Membership
Our membership increased 10% this year. We have IGFTO Observers from Florida to Texas to Carlifornia and 17 other states. In our second year of existence, we have exceeded over half our goal of attaining IGFA certified/trained and experienced observers.
Tournament Participation
Since our inception 2 years ago, the IGFTO has witnessed the release of nearly 3,300 billfish and incurred $300,000 of personal expense in order to observe and conserve the species for future generations.
• IGFTO members participated in 10 catch & release tournaments in 7 countries this year.
• We witnessed the safe release of 1,273 billfish of which 203 were blue marlin, 278 white marlin, 7 striped marlin, 1 spearfish and 784 sailfish.
• In January 2012, our members have participated in 3 tournaments and witnessed the safe release of 852 billfish, which represents nearly 75% of all billfish released in 2011.
International Tournament Directors recognize the importance of tag and release venues and the IGFTO anticipates participation in upwards of 15 tournaments in 2012.
| Additional Highlights:
• Steve Hargett, licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain, veteran and avid sports fisherman, was appointed director and membership coordinator of IGFTO. Steve is responsible for expanding membership and working closely with IGFA to attract observers to IFGTO.
• IGFTO launched a new and enhanced website to promote the organization's mission and to increase the communication among observers and tournament directors. Prospective IGFTO observers may apply online.
• IGFTO donated $600 to The Billfish Foundation for its youth and education programs in the name of Bob Malerba, co-founder and architect of the IGFTO organization, who died on Memorial Day 2011.
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In the Past - 2010:
• IGFTO Observers participated in 10 International Billfish Tournaments in 7 Countries (USA, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos, St. Thomas, USVI, Aruba and Guatemala.
• Observers witnessed the safe release of nearly 2,000 billfish this year.
• Observers spend $187,000 in personal expenses participating in these tournaments.
• IGFTO provided liability insurance for all the organization's member observers - all whom have completed the International Game Fish Association observer training course.
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Our future plans for 2012, include:
• Expanding membership of trained observers and increasing IGFTO observer presence in more tournaments
• Launching an effort to convert existing “kill" tournaments venues to a tag & release format.
• Attracting corporate sponsors to support the IGFTO mission of promoting the preservation of game fish during international billfish tournaments.
• Attaining recognition as a sponsor of international game fish & billfish tournament.
• Revising marketing brochures and banners for distribution at tournaments, boat shows and other events.
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