IGFA's 41st International Auction Shatters Records,
Raises $925,000 for Game Fish Conservation

The 41st Annual IGFA International Auction made history, raising a record-breaking $925,000 to support global conservation and youth education, uniting anglers in the mission to protect game fish for future generations.

The International Game Fish Association's 41st Annual International Auction made history on January 25, 2025, raising an unprecedented $925,000 that will directly fuel IGFA's vital conservation and education initiatives worldwide. Over 270 guests gathered at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale Beach, with additional supporters participating virtually by bidding on live auction lots and engaging in the online auction component, all united by their passion for protecting game fish and ensuring the future of recreational angling.

The live auction kicked off with the auction of a Tudor Ranger timepiece, and enthusiastic bidding continued throughout the evening for extraordinary travel experiences spanning the globe. Each winning bid represented not just an exceptional experience, but an investment in IGFA's mission to preserve game fish and inspire the next generation of conservation-minded anglers.

Among the evening's highlights was a celebratory moment marking the successful completion of the initial $1 million fundraising goal for the IGFA Billfish Research and Conservation Endowment, representing a transformative step forward for billfish conservation.

IGFA President Jason Schratwieser captured the spirit of the evening, stating, "We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible support that made this year's IGFA International Auction our most successful event yet. Through the generosity of our community, we can expand our youth education programs, enhance our conservation research, and strengthen our global network of ambassadors working to protect the future of our sport."

The IGFA extends its deepest gratitude to our generous sponsors who made this historic evening possible. At the Hemingway Sponsor level ($10,000), we thank Mark and Wendy Davis, Chad Moss, and Wild Oceans. Our Zane Grey Sponsors ($5,000) included IGFA Chairman Roy Cronacher and Hemingway's Boatyard. The Ted Williams Sponsors ($3,500) who supported the event were Bob and Sally Kurz, Centennial Bank, Fish Florida, Guy Harvey Outpost, Ricardo Solá Tanca, and Northern Trust. Special thanks to Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Stephen's Distributing, and IGFA's preferred rum brand, Flor de Caña, for their generous beverage sponsorship of the evening.

The record-breaking success of the 41st Annual IGFA International Auction translates directly into expanded conservation initiatives, enhanced research programs, and broader youth education efforts. Every bid, every donation, and every gesture of support contributes to protecting our oceans' game fish populations and preserving the spirit of recreational angling for future generations.

Mark your calendars for the 42nd Annual IGFA International Auction, scheduled for January 24, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale. Join us as we continue to build on this momentum and work together to ensure a sustainable future for game fish and recreational angling worldwide.