IGFA Announces Dynamic New Leadership for Europe & Mediterranean Regional Council
The IGFA is pleased to announce the appointment of the new Europe & Mediterranean Regional Council. This follows a lengthy nomination process during which regional IGFA Representatives submitted their nominations for various Council positions.
IGFA President Jason Schratwieser commented, “The Europe & Mediterranean region has a profound legacy in the fishing community. We look forward to collaborating with our regional network, esteemed fishing clubs, and associations to advance our mission of conservation, education, and ethical angling.”
The IGFA Regional Councils strengthen IGFA’s strategic mission at the grassroots level and foster relationships with IGFA representatives, clubs, captains, weigh stations, and members.
After a thorough nomination and review process, the following individuals have been appointed as officers and committee members of the new Europe & Mediterranean Regional Council:
COUNCIL CHAIR
Massimo Brogna, Italy
IGFA Trustee Massimo Brogna, a leading fisheries conservationist, is the Chairman of the Italian section of the European Federation of Sea Anglers (EFSA). He was the founding chair of the IGFA Europe & Mediterranean Regional Council and helped develop the IGFA Mediterranean Championship. Brogna founded the Italian Sportfishing Master Championship and directs the Italian Deep Sea Trolling Championship. He is also one of the founders of the Mediterranean Spearfish Project. As an IGFA Representative for over 12 years, he recruited more than 400 new members and translated IGFA Rules into Italian. Brogna is a staunch advocate of catch and release in Italy and supports tagging research programs for Atlantic bluefin tuna, promoting recreational fisheries research and management in Europe and the Mediterranean.
COUNCIL VICE CHAIR
Mohamed Kaddah, Egypt
Mohamed Kaddah, from Maadi, Cairo, Egypt, was an early participant in the Egyptian Angling Federation in the 1980s, winning many championships. Elected chairman in 2012, he organized numerous tournaments and played a key role in founding the IGFA Red Sea Championship. Recently elected President of the Egyptian Angling Federation, Kaddah is dedicated to introducing the next generation of young anglers to fishing. He has significantly contributed to the IGFA's growth in Egypt and beyond, implementing IGFA-aligned environmental initiatives, developing educational programs for children, and establishing three IGFA-affiliated weigh stations. Kaddah has also represented the IGFA at international tournaments, including upcoming events in Oman and Saudi Arabia.
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE CHAIR
Bill François, Monaco
Bill François is a biophysicist, writer, artist, and angler from France. Passionate about protecting game fish through science and recreational fishing, he has coordinated several tagging programs to involve sport fishermen in the protection of bluefin tuna. François currently oversees conservation and education at the Monaco Sport Fishing Federation and leads science public outreach projects to raise awareness about marine conservation.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR
Joan Rayo, Spain
Joan Rayo began fishing as a child in Palma de Mallorca and has since fished worldwide, including the Caribbean, Canada, and Alaska. In 2000, he fished in Cuba's Bahia Cochino, and from 2002 to 2019, he lived in Cancun, Mexico, working as an architect and engineer. There, he organized fishing tournaments and clinics for local children. In 2010, Joan switched to fly fishing, achieving several IGFA Inshore Grand Slams. Returning to Mallorca in 2019, he created the "Fly Fishing Mallorca" Facebook page to connect anglers.
RULES AND RECOGNITION COMMITEE CHAIR
Omar Khalifa, Egypt
Omar Khalifa is an IGFA World Record holder and fishing enthusiast who has competed in local and international tournaments for several years. Growing up fishing the Nile and Mediterranean, his passion blossomed in El Gouna, where he learned from top fishermen. Khalifa has competed in national competitions and represented Egypt in Big Game World Championships (France 2018, South Africa 2019). He aims to promote the sport through theoretical and practical courses and has assisted with multiple translations of IGFA angler recognition materials, including the IGFA rules.
DEVELOPMENT COMMITEE CHAIR
Gianfranco Santolini, Italy
Gianfranco Santolini, President of Big Game Italia and President of Club Nautico Rimini, is a key figure in marine recreational fishing. He is developing a recreational saltwater fishing license for Italian anglers to aid in fish stock management in the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas. Santolini has contributed to conservation efforts, including tagging juvenile sharks. He plans to organize an international tournament in Croatian waters next year with cooperation from Slovenia, Croatia, Germany, and Italy.