Billfish.Org › Wp-Content › Uploads › 2017 › 11 › TBF BF VOL2 2009.Pdf 7Th Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2009 Volume 2 2009 Volume The Billfish Foundation’s Sportfishing Conservation Magazine NEW ZEALAND: Mecca for the World’s BIGGEST Striped Marlin Photo Contest WINNERS ANNOUNCED! TAGGING IN THE SEYCHELLES Tag & Release Awards Ceremony Wrap-Up . FISH FOREVER 1 2 Welcome to BILLFISH, TEAM TBF Ellen Peel The Billfish Foundation’s President Peter Chaibongsai Sportfishing Director of Science Conservation Magazine and Policy Deborah Cummings Membership Director Julia Shafer FEATURES Development & Communications Specialist 5 GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN Rockefeller’s Legacy & Likeness Live On Carmela Siegel Accounting Manager 10 REDISCOVERED FISHING Comes Elliott Stark to Life in the Red Sea Science and Policy Specialist 12 TBF’s Annual Photo Contest Guillermo Alvarez 14 NEW ZEALAND: Mecca for the Conservation Director, World’s Biggest Striped Marlin Mexico 22 HOOKED on Seychelles Pete Johnson Communications Consultant 32 TBF’s 2009 International Edythe Ledbetter Tag & Release Awards Ceremony Financial Consultant Wondering where you can go to catch the 35 TBF Tag & Release world’s biggest striped marlin? Check out page 14 for our feature on New Zealand! Dr. C. Phillip Goodyear Competition Update Scientist 37 TaggING & TEAMWORK with Herbert Nanne the Big Oh! Conservation Director, Central America Dr. Russell Nelson PROGRAMS Scientist 4 Chair’s Letter Jackie Marsolais Graphic Design Consultant 7 Welcome Aboard Jennifer Paul 8 Member Profile Membership Consultant 18 Education 26 Memorials 28 Pacific Advocacy 29 Atlantic Advocacy 30 Tagging News 38 On the Docks 5100 N. Federal Hwy. #200 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 43 Captains Corner 800-438-8247 Cover photo by the 2009 TBF Photo Contest www.billfish.org Winner, Ingrid Marie Vincent Anderson Editor: Julia Shafer TBF Trustees Chair's Message CHAIR John Brownlee VICE CHAIR Mark O’Brien Dear Fellow Anglers, Depending on how you word things, we are either halfway through with this year or halfway into it! However I TREASURER characterize our status chronologically, The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is certainly feeling the economic crunch! Rich Andrews The only comfort, if one can really say there is any, is that we know most of us, individually and organizationally, are in the same boat. With the economy beginning to chug ever so slowly up the steep grade before us, non-profit organizations like TBF find that the “trickle down” of financial giving has all but come to an occasional drop. SECRETARY Despite all we are doing, and trying to do, we are constrained by a decrease of 24% in membership contributions Frank “Skip” Smith for the first six months of this year compared with the same period last year. We are so appreciative of our members, corporate sponsors and supporting foundations who have managed to continue supporting our cause at whatever l evel can be afforded. Many members have had to make tough choices– Jose “Pepe” Anton, Jr. to give, not to give, or give, but give less. We are facing the same tough choices- deciding whether to continue Luis L. Bacardi certain programs, not continue, or continue, but at a greatly diminished level. Our magazine, Billfish, for instance, Francisco Rangel Castelazo is going to be produced this month in a digital format for we cannot afford to print and mail it under current economic constraints. Increasing membership costs would be futile, so we are stretching the pennies as far as we Gary J. Chouest can. For now, Billfish will be posted on our website. Robert DeGabrielle Chris Fischer Many non-profit organizations are fortunate for they have a very broad appeal that resonates with donors from across many segments of the population. Simply put, big fish have a difficult time competing with those causes. Fin Gaddy Billfishing is a narrow interest, even though TBF’s work also benefits the overall health of our oceans and many Edwin Hawn other associated species, including tunas and sharks. Within our own sportfishing community, there are a good Norm Isaacs number of billfishing tournaments that use the fish, but choose not to make financial donations to insure the conservation of the very species from which they profit. It is typically anglers who are passionate about fishing for Elaine “Lainey” Jones those fish who join TBF and donate to the cause. Yet even within the fishing community, only a segment of the James F. Kitchell, Ph.D. population truly understands the rewards that flow from contributing to billfish conservation, rewards that include Jay Meyer, M.D. not only continued fishing opportunities, but also the jobs that depend upon them. Mobile Big Game Fishing Club My goal is not to bore you with whining, but to be candid with you, so that if and when you can join or donate, Paxson Offield you will consider TBF. We are doing all that we can to cut expenses, including reducing some programs, as we look Orange Beach Billfish Classic for more funds just to maintain the status quo. TBF needs your support in whatever way you can contribute. The organization operates with an extremely low overhead, focusing the overwhelming majority of our funding directly Frank "Skip" Smith to conservation programs – research, education and advocacy. Scott Steele Diana Udel Please join or renew your TBF membership at any level you can afford; members are the lifeblood of TBF! Only with member support can we accomplish conservation victories, complete research, lobby decision makers, and Joan Vernon produce educational materials. If you can afford to make a donation to our Billfish Conservation Fund, a fund Ralph “Agie” Vicente that has the flexibility to distribute donations to projects where they are most needed at the time they are received, Paul Walker that would be awesome. Donations can also be made to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Student Conservation Fund through which our youth education work is funded. FOUNDING CHAIRMAN If you love to fish for large offshore fish, TBF is the team for you. If you are already a member and can afford Winthrop P. Rockefeller a separate donation at this time, please send one in today for our Conservation Fund- every little bit helps! It all adds up and can make a huge difference. For more information on how you can help TBF, please call 1948-2006 (954.938.0150) or go online (www.billfish.org) for more information. PRESIDENT Ellen M. Peel, J.D. LL.M. John Brownlee 4 Gone but Never Forgotten- Rockefeller’s Legacy & Likeness Live On Winthrop P. Rockefeller was known for many accomplishments, the greatest of which in our sportfishing and conservation community was to have the vision and the tenacity to lead in the creation of The Billfish Foundation (TBF). Win, as most called him, believed that science was the best foundation for public policy to manage and conserve billfish. He recognized that we have a responsibility not only to educate the next generations to fish responsibly, but also to care for all the ocean resources upon which we depend. Since marlin are highly migratory in nature, he supported international exchange and participation in dialogue The bronze bust perfectly to better understand the position of others, including those fishing commercial gear, as one tried to find captures Win’s sparkling and constructive solutions to some of the multi-faceted challenges in improving the status of these amazing fish. unforgettable spirit. Win had the vision for TBF, for the fish and the oceans, to which he committed his passion, time, energy and money. Unfortunately, Win departed this life too early at the young age of 57 in 2006. He was at the time Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas and had just put his name in the political ring to run for Governor when his energy was abruptly re-directed toward his health. Though he did not win his battle with cancer, he accomplished great things and left us all with so much for, without Win, there would be no TBF today. TBF is the leading organization TBF’s Ellen Peel & Dr. Russell Nelson admired the newly finished fighting worldwide for the billfish, healthy oceans and continued fishing bust of Win, alongside his wife, Lisenne. opportunities, all of which results in positive economics for this nation and others where billfishing is found. In early February, a beautiful bronze bust of Win was unveiled by his wife, Lisenne, and their children in the rotunda of the Arkansas Capitol building. The likeness is both remarkable and breathtaking, for Arkansas artist Kevin Kresse perfectly captured Win’s slightly mischievous smile, with a little crinkle in one corner, and a “forever upward” confident and compassionate look in his eyes. TBF President Ellen Peel and TBF scientist Dr. Russell Nelson had the pleasure of attending the ceremony held in Win’s honor. Join on The Billfish Foundation is now on Facebook. Add us as a friend today so you can be the first to know the latest in TBF news. Once you become our friend, please join our Cause as well… and recruit your friends to join too! To add TBF as a friend, please visit www.facebook.com/ thebillfishfoundation 5 6 TBF Has Moved… And We’re Going GREEN! In an effort to find a move suitable office space and best utilize donor dollars, TBF headquarters moved to a new location in April of this year. Mere blocks from the previous location, the new office space is better configured for the needs of TBF’s staff and, at the same time, saves a substantial amount of rent money! Next time you’re nearby, feel free to stop by for a visit and check out the new space. In an effort to conserve both natural and financial resources, TBF is going green! Starting with this issue, Billfish magazine will be available in digital format via TBF’s website.