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2008 Vol. 3 MEXICO: Battle Over Sportfishing Paradise Dreamin’ On! 100 Releases TBF Youth Program Makes a Splash . FISH FOREVER 1 2 Welcome to BILLFISH, TEAM TBF The Billfish Foundation’s Ellen Peel President Sportfishing Conservation Magazine Guillermo Alvarez Conservation Director, Contents Mexico Peter Chaibongsai Science & Research FEATURES FEATURE STORY Specialist Deborah Cummings 8 Featured Artist: Tim Borski MEXICO : Membership Director Battle Over Dr. C. Phillip Goodyear 9 Corporate Conservation Sportfishing Scientist Partner Profile: Rampage Paradise Pete Johnson Sportfishing Yachts To anglers worldwide, Communications Specialist Los Cabos, Mexico is Edythe Ledbetter 16 Recreational Boating and sportfishing paradise Financial Consultant Fishing Join Forces protected by law. To the Jackie Marsolais Graphic Designer local “fishing mafia” and 17 President Protects their inside man in high Herbert Nanne Sportfishing Access Conservation Director, office, Mexican laws are Central America made to be broken or Dr. Russell Nelson 18 Dreamin’ On at minimum overturned. Scientist Climactic 5th chapter of world The battle rages on as Jennifer Paul tour delivers storied blue TBF rallies key support Membership Consultant and documents what’s at marlin fishing with 100 releases! Julia Shafer stake if “paradise” dollars Development & Constituent are lost. Relations Specialist ROGRAMS Carmela Siegel P PAGE 10 Accounting Manager 4 Chair’s Letter Elliott Stark Tag & Release Specialist 6 Volunteer Profiles 17 Memorial 21 Fishing Destinations 24 Research Cover Art by Tim Borski 26 Advocacy 32 Education 34 Collage 2161 E. Commercial Blvd. Second Floor 36 On the Docks Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 42 Captain’s Corner 800-438-8247 www.billfish.org 3 TBF Trustees CHAIR Chair's Message Joan Vernon VICE CHAIR John Brownlee TREASURER Dear TBF Friends, Rich J. Andrews It’s an honor for me to serve as the Chair of such a fine organization as The Billfish Foundation (TBF). I think you’ll find the depth and breadth of TBF’s work, captured in this magazine, SECRETARY demonstrates what this organization does best – “Conservation by Design”. Take a look at Fernando Aguilar the cover. It’s a beautiful piece of art. Study it and you’ll see an intricate, interlocking design depicted in bold, complementary colors. As you peel back the cover of this magazine, you’ll see the parallels between the artist’s design John P. Abplanalp and TBF’s work – bold and impassioned with many moving parts that form an intricate Jose “Pepe” Anton, Jr. pattern of success. Success I might add, that’s working in your best interest. Luis L. Bacardi Take as an example, TBF’s work in Mexico to preserve the sportfishing paradise of Los Cabos. Francisco Rangel Castelazo TBF has been working in the region for many years. We’ve done the hard work of forging Gary J. Chouest strong effective partnerships and we’ve developed key contacts at the national level, who are Robert DeGabrielle now ordering the defiant fisheries director to act in the best interest of the fish. At the same time, TBF invested in a forward-thinking approach – an exhaustive socio-economic study Chris Fischer that documents the incredible $1 BILLION value of sportfishing to Mexico. Decision makers Edwin Hawn now know definitively what’s at stake. And their constituents will work even harder to prevent Brandon Hunt them from risking their economy, their livelihoods and their sportfishing heritage to appease Norm Isaacs commercial fisheries. (See feature story beginning on page 10.) Elaine “Lainey” Jones This is just one example. Flip through the magazine and you’ll find many more of TBF doing James F. Kitchell, Ph.D. the hard work, the necessary work for those of us who care about billfish and the future of Jay Meyer, M.D. sportfishing. TBF is battling strategically on the U.S. West Coast to prevent the opening of Mobile Big Game Fishing Club a new longline fishery. In the Atlantic, TBF is calling for a catch quota for eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna that conforms to levels recommended by scientists. Mark O’Brien Paxson Offield In short, TBF is fighting for the fish and for YOU! Orange Beach Billfish Classic Frank "Skip" Smith So if you want to ensure a vibrant sportfishing tradition that is more than a memory captured on canvas (or the cover of a magazine), here’s what I need you to do today. Turn to the center Scott Steele of this issue, remove the envelope, insert the most generous donation you possibly can afford Diana Udel and mail it to TBF right away or give online at www.Billfish.org. Ralph “Agie” Vicente Paul Walker TBF’s continued ability to win victories for billfish and for you, depend on each of us doing our part. I am absolutely convinced that TBF is the best investment you can make in this regard. So when you return your envelope, please consider giving at a level commensurate with FOUNDING CHAIRMAN the mighty “granders” that we’re all dreamin’ of and fighting for! Winthrop P. Rockefeller 1948-2006 Joan Vernon PRESIDENT TBF Chair CORRECTION Ellen M. Peel, J.D. LL.M. In the last issue of Billfish there was an error in the Mexico Socio-Economic Study article. The correct amount spent by angling tourists in the region, according to the study, is $633 million (USD). See the article on page 12 of this issue for further details. We regret this error. 4 Welcome Aboard,Elliott Stark! he Billfish settling some unfinished and the evaluation of success and efficacy of Foundation is business with local their management. During this time, Elliott T pleased to welcome tarpon, snook, swordfish also gained exposure to offshore fishing, Elliott Stark to our Science and any other fish he can which has become an activity that takes up and Policy staff. Elliott brings trick into taking the bait. quite a bit of his money and free time. a solid background in marine science and policy to TBF While at the University Having spent the last year in Austin, Elliott having graduated from the of Miami, which he is excited about returning to South Florida Rosenstiel School of Marine also attended as an and working for The Billfish Foundation. and Atmospheric Science undergraduate, Elliott He joins Peter Chaibongsai in TBF’s at the University of Miami, worked on several Science and Policy Department. Elliott where he earned a Master’s projects of the Southeast handles the tag and release reports and Degree in Marine Affairs Florida Coral Reef release certificates. Elliott is available for and Policy. An avid fisherman, Elliott hails Initiative. As an undergraduate, he studied questions relating to the tagging program, from the Lone Star State where he spent Marine Affairs and Policy, with minors in marine education, as well as other science the summers of his childhood surf fishing Economics, Political Science and Business and policy-related inquiries. He will be glad and crabbing on the upper Texas coast. Administration. The primary focus of to speak with you and can be reached by Elliott also enjoys hunting, barbecues, and Elliott’s graduate internship was in analysis phone at 800-438-8247 ext. 101 or by email just about anything involving the outdoors. of the regulatory and legislative protections at [email protected]. When not in the office, Elliott can be found of Florida’s marine and coastal resources . We do more than just sailfish Order Online www.kingsailfishmounts.com PO Box 480670 • Fort Lauderdale, FL 33348 (888)SAILFISH • (954) 784-8377 Fax (954) 784-8453 VOLUNTEER PROFILES TBF Top Volunteers TBF benefits from many great volunteers willing husband Tom, and together they caught and for entering Tag and Release data. She always to give of their time and expertise. In this issue released hundreds of marlin and sailfish. pushes for more detail from anglers’ cards we highlight four such individuals. They were a two-person team, so Carol or from follow-up phone calls. She wants learned most tasks needed to crew on a to make sure that she gets as much data fishing boat and, like Gail, is a strong TBF from a fishing team’s tag and release efforts, contender at tournaments. Their son, Jim, so scientists get the most benefit from the has had top fishing guidance and is following traditional tagging program. She encourages in his parent’s footsteps. He works part- all to print the data on their cards as legibly time at Custom Rod and Reel in Lighthouse as possible! Point, Florida, in addition to his EMT Jay Siegel, a retired bank investigator gives studies. He also has been a top competitor of his time and energy in TBF’s Youth Angler Release Carol Ott with son Jim assisting TBF in support Competitions over the years. of bookkeeping services Carol goes further in supporting and with a wide range arol Ott, of Boca Raton, Florida, TBF taking the lead on special of general office needs. Dr. Gail Kay of St. Petersburg, events’ needs and enlisting the Upon visiting TBF’s office, Florida, Jay Siegel, of Coconut help of her brother and sister. C one might catch Jay on a Creek, Florida and Israel Modesto Carol also assists Ellen in the ladder, assessing computer Sanchez of the Dominican Republic are all office whenever she can and problems, returning from tops in TBF’s books! is often a top bidder at TBF picking up office supplies or fundraising events, a gesture that Both Gail and Carol give of their time, copying stacks of items for is so important in keeping money and fishing skills to represent TBF the Finance Department. operations funded. in all-release billfish tournaments, fishing Jay Siegel He has great oversight from with TBF President Ellen Peel.