Charting Advocacy: IGFA's Impact on Fishing Policy and Conservation

The IGFA works to ensure the voice of the recreational fishing community is represented in international, national, and state-level fishery management decisions as well as in policy development. Below is a sample of the advocacy work to which the IGFA has contributed over the past few months:

 

April 5, 2024

  • IGFA Urges Gov. DeSantis to Approve HF 2389/SF 3645
    • The IGFA developed and sent a letter to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urging the administration to approve HF 2389/SF 3645 of Specific Appropriation 147, supported by House Speaker Representative Paul Renner. This appropriation would fund the University of Florida Water Institute to develop a science and economic report. This report would provide an updated, independent assessment of the Rodman/Kirkpatrick dam based on all relevant existing data and reports from federal, state, and regional agencies, universities, and other sources.

April 9, 2024

  • IGFA Supports Sustainable Swordfish Fisheries on US West Coast
    • A letter was sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Region regarding comments on the “Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Consideration of Exempted Fishing Permits for Testing Fishing Practices to Target Swordfish and Other Marketable Highly Migratory Species in the United States West Coast Exclusive Economic Zone.” The letter outlines support for deep-set buoy gear and opposition to longline fishing permits on the west coast, among other concerns for billfish management in the Pacific.

April 17, 2024

  • IGFA Supports Prohibition of Regulation of Lead in Fishing Tackle
    • A letter was sent by the sportfishing community to members of the Senate and House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, asking that the longstanding, bipartisan prohibition against the regulation of lead in fishing tackle be maintained in the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. This prohibition has been included in the annual appropriations bill each year since 2014, including in the most recent Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024.

May 14, 2024

  • IGFA Supports Everglades Restoration Funding
    • A letter was sent to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, Senate Appropriations Committee to request funding in (FY) 2025 for Everglades restoration efforts. The letter specifically requests that the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies appropriate no less than $725 million for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) in FY25. Annual funding at this level would allow the Army Corps of Engineers to execute contracts for authorized projects on the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) Integrated Delivery Schedule. These funding levels would not only lead to the timely completion of Everglades restoration projects but also create over 65,000 jobs, per U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville’s estimates.

June 10, 2024

  • IGFA Provides Input on Amendment 15
    • A letter was sent to Randy Blankenship, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, NMFS, from representatives of the recreational fishing and boating community regarding the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Highly Migratory Species Amendment 15 in advance of the final rule. The letter outlines our community’s concerns over the lack of consideration of previous comments and lack of public input on the Final Rule that was significantly adapted from the proposed rule beyond alternatives originally proposed. The letter suggests implementing bycatch thresholds and monitoring, public input on exempted fishing permits, acknowledging risks of management decisions based on simulations, and outlines the significant impacts on recreational fishing, boating, and fish stocks.

IGFA Great Marlin Race

In recent months, several IGFA Great Marlin Race satellite tags have popped up with some very good results. Below is a quick recap of some of the more interesting tag results:

 

Mexico Pacific Coast Striped Marlin satellite tag pop-up on April 14, 2024:

A 140-pound striped marlin tag popped up following a full-duration 181-day deployment, just 75 nm from where it was deployed off Mexico’s Pacific Coast. This tag was sponsored by the Laguna Niguel Billfish Club and deployed aboard Hooked with Captain Geof Hersch, angler Matt Tracy, and tagger Dave Knecht. Our partners at Stanford University are currently analyzing this fish’s dataset. Check back soon for more information on the results.

Cabo San Lucas Striped Marlin satellite tag pop-up on April 16, 2024:

A 90-pound striped marlin tag popped up following a full-duration 180-day deployment, just 145 nm from where it was deployed off Cabo San Lucas. This tag was sponsored by the Crean Foundation and deployed aboard Bull Pen with Captain Dave Dubois and angler Cody Merrick, who also tagged the fish. IGFA’s partners at Stanford University are currently analyzing this fish’s dataset. Check back soon for more information on the results.

North Carolina (Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament) blue marlin satellite tag pop-up on April 25, 2024:

A 75-pound blue marlin tag popped up following a full-duration 240-day deployment, 283 nm from where it was deployed off North Carolina following the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. This tag was sponsored by Emery Ivey and Todd Smith and deployed aboard Triple ‘S’ with Captain Todd Smith, angler Brandon Carney, and tagger Calib Miehelini. Check back soon for more information on this blue marlin.

Azores blue marlin satellite tag pop-up on May 9, 2024:

A 700-pound blue marlin tag popped up following a full-duration 240-day deployment, 1,133 nm from where it was deployed in the eastern Atlantic. The total estimated track distance is an incredible 5,070 nm. This tag was sponsored by Nick Cortezi and deployed aboard Sea Weez with Captain Ross Finlayson and angler Nick Cortezi, who also tagged the fish. This fish leaves the Azores as it travels eastward before turning south, moving along the Northwest African coast past the Canary Islands toward Cape Verde. The fish then loops around Cape Verde before popping up off Western Sahara.

Azores blue marlin satellite tag pop-up on May 19, 2024:

A 650-pound blue marlin tag popped up following a full-duration 240-day deployment, 644 nm from where it was deployed in the eastern Atlantic. The total estimated track distance is an incredible 7,778 nm. This tag was sponsored by Nick Cortezi and deployed aboard Sea Weez with Captain Ross Finlayson, angler Brian McAllister, and tagger Jay Cortezi. This blue marlin leaves the Azores before traveling far south, past Cape Verde, then moving west nearing the equator. The fish then turns north with the tag popping up over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the central Atlantic.