IGFA Launches 2024 Tournament Relations Program

Expanding Global Fishing Partnerships and Billfish Research

The IGFA Tournament Guide is a reference booklet for anglers and fishing tournaments that desire to follow IGFA's International Angling Rules. 

Starting in 2024, the IGFA Tournament Relations Program was launched to enhance IGFA’s partnerships and visibility in the international tournament fishing community, while offering additional benefits to participants and organizers. This program also aims to broaden IGFA’s platform for scientific research, including initiatives like the IGFA Great Marlin Race satellite tagging program for billfish. Participating tournaments receive IGFA Tournament Guide booklets, free IGFA digital memberships for each registrant, and complimentary IGFA merchandise. In the first few months alone, 22 tournaments across four countries have participated, and over 1,600 IGFA Tournament Guides have been distributed. We are optimistic that this program will continue to grow as more tournaments and anglers recognize its benefits.

 

A prime example of the program’s success occurred last month when IGFA Conservation Director Dr. Bruce Pohlot traveled to Panama to attend the Club de Yates y Pesca Tournament on July 5 and 6. The event supported both the Tournament Relations Program and the IGFA Great Marlin Race satellite tagging program by sponsoring a tag to be deployed on a marlin during the tournament.

IGFA Conservation Director, Dr. Bruce Pohlot, and IGFA Representative, Adrienne Reeve with the crew of Bypass, who sought out a blue or black marlin to tag during the tournament.

The tournament was a resounding success, with each participant receiving an IGFA Tournament Guide in Spanish, a free digital IGFA membership, and IGFA gear. Held out of Panama City and the Pearl Islands, teams competed for billfish release and largest fish prizes (tuna, dorado, wahoo, snapper, jack). The competition was fierce, with several notable fish weighed and multiple boats achieving double-digit sailfish releases.

Highlights from the Tournament

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Each fish was measured and examined by ARAP (Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá), Panama’s fisheries authority, which collaborates with tournament organizers to enhance their scientific database. The awards ceremony was a major highlight, featuring a lively celebration. During the ceremony, Bruce Pohlot and Adrienne Reeve were honored with plaques from head organizer Alfredo Lopez, owner of Alta Pesca Panama, in recognition of their partnership from head organizer Alfredo Lopez, owner of Alta Pesca Panama.

The IGFA was honored at the ceremony with plaques presented to IGFA Conservation, Director Bruce, Pohlot and IGFA Panama Representative, Adrienne Reeve.

The IGFA extends sincere thanks to Alfredo Lopez for organizing this tournament, fostering the partnership with IGFA, and warmly welcoming the IGFA to Panama. We also appreciate IGFA Representative, Adrienne Reeve’s assistance in facilitating IGFA’s involvement and tagging efforts. Events like this are invaluable opportunities for the IGFA to expand its network and support sustainable tournament fishing worldwide.

For more information on learning how your tournament can participate, please contact IGFA Angling Recognition Manager, Zack Bellapigna at [email protected] or 954-924-4247.