Newly Appointed IGFA Representatives

Since the appointment of Clive Firth as the first IGFA Representative in 1939, the IGFA’s Representatives have been among the most dedicated supporters of the organization and their leadership has proven essential to shaping the IGFA's reputation as the world’s most prestigious international angling and conservation organization. IGFA Representatives act as ambassadors of IGFA and liaisons between the angling interests in their areas around the world and IGFA Headquarters in the United States.

We are proud to introduce these newly appointed members of the IGFA Representatives Program:

Henry Marín – Costa Rica

Born in San José, Costa Rica, Henry Marín has over a decade of experience in the sportfishing sector, specializing in its socio-economic impact. As Director of Strategy and Projects at La Federación Costarricense de Pesca FECOP, he promotes responsible fishing through science and education. A strong advocate for sustainable sportfishing, Henry develops initiatives to support local communities through fishing tourism. With hands-on experience in offshore and shore fishing—including surfcasting—he has also led a nautical school encouraging women and youth to participate in the sport.

Marina Marrari – Costa Rica

Originally from Argentina, Marina Marrari is a marine biologist and oceanographer with 25 years of experience in ocean research, satellite technology for fisheries, and marine conservation. Since 2018, she has served as Executive Director of the Costa Rica La Federación Costarricense de Pesca (FECOP), promoting sustainable fishing, species conservation, and coastal community development. Marina collaborates with global sportfishing and conservation groups, supports marine resource legislation, and leads initiatives empowering women in the industry. She is spearheading a NASA-backed project to monitor red tides in Costa Rica and recently launched PezCA, a free app providing real-time oceanographic data for fisheries in Central America.

Guillaume Fourrier – France

Guillaume Fourrier is a distinguished French fishing guide, journalist, photographer, record-holder, and angler. As an Official IGFA Captain since 2024, he guides clients on fishing trips off the coast of Normandy, targeting species such as bass, pollack, turbot, rays, and bream. Guillaume holds 28 fishing records, including five IGFA World Records, seven EFSA European Records, and 16 FFPS French Records.

Concentrating his fishing expertise on the French coast and Corsica, he has expanded his fishing expertise worldwide, including in Europe, New Caledonia, Africa, Japan, and the Caribbean. He has participated in Atlantic bluefin tuna tagging programs with the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER) and Spanish scientists. The author of 14 fishing books and a regular contributor to French fishing magazines, Guillaume has also worked in marketing at Sakura and Daiwa, developing products and overseeing marketing for the European market.

Chiara Gambardella – Italy

Chiara Gambardella is a Ph.D. student in marine biology based in Italy, specializing in conservation, quantitative ecology, and innovative fieldwork techniques. Her research focuses on large pelagic species, and she is part of an international team studying the ecology of major predatory sharks in the Mediterranean Sea, including the white shark and shortfin mako. Her work involves fishing with scientific research.

Chiara also serves as a National Observer for bluefin tuna and swordfish and is an avid recreational angler. Passionate about marine conservation, she is actively involved in promoting sustainable fishing practices and engaging the recreational fishing community in conservation efforts. Over the past few years, she has been raising awareness about the importance of protecting large pelagic species in the Mediterranean.

Roberto Riguero – Nicaragua

A member of a well-known fishing family in Nicaragua, Roberto Riguero was introduced to sustainable game fishing at a young age by his father. He has participated in and organized several international tournaments in the country that adhere to IGFA rules.

A strong advocate for ethical angling, Roberto actively encourages local tournaments in Nicaragua to adopt catch-and-release practices. Widely respected as an experienced angler and conservationist, he is recognized as an influential figure within the country’s fishing community.

Captain Alfredo Lopez – Panama

Captain Alfredo Lopez is an IGFA World Record holder and serves as the chairman of the fishing committee for the Club de Yates y Pesca de Panama. He is also the tournament director for the Jesus Luz de Oportunidades Fishing Tournament. In 2022, he revitalized the Copa Interclub of Panama, a fishing league organizing tournaments along Panama's Pacific coast.

Recently, Captain Lopez secured a partnership for the 2024 tournament season with the IGFA and the Panama Aquatic Resources Authority (ARAP) to promote marine species conservation in Panama. An active fisherman and advocate for Panama as a premier sportfishing destination, he has been featured in numerous television shows and publications. As an IGFA Representative, he is committed to advancing conservation projects and expanding the IGFA’s presence in the region.

Tup Meesupwatana – Thailand

Born into a fishing family in Thailand, Tup Meesupwatana developed a passion for angling at a young age. He later moved to New Zealand, working as an outdoor adventure instructor, before earning a degree in adventure tourism in Canada. There, he also worked as a kayak and fishing guide.

Tup gained recognition as a professional sport fisherman by winning prestigious tournaments and advocating for catch-and-release fishing. While fishing in Laos, he rediscovered the elusive wolf barb (Luciocyprinus striolatus), a species that had been largely unrecorded for years. After documenting his catch and sharing it online, his discovery went viral, bringing renewed attention to the species.

A passionate conservationist, Tup is dedicated to protecting the giant freshwater stingray (Urogymnus polylepis). He shares his adventures online via TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube under the name "Mtup".

Art Weston – Kentucky, USA

Born in Evanston, Illinois, in 1971, Art Weston developed a love for fishing early on, starting in local ponds and lakes. Professionally, he is an AI transformation executive in the financial services industry, applying his analytical expertise and problem-solving skills to his passion for fishing.

An avid researcher and inventor, Art has secured numerous IGFA World Records. Passionate about the sport, he actively shares his knowledge of tackle and techniques, promoting fishing as his primary hobby.