11-04-2010, 06:10 PM
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is giving anglers from Puerto Rico and nearby Caribbean islands an opportunity to interact with leading scientists and researchers on Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 6 - 9 p.m. at the Club Nautico de San Juan, in San Juan, PR.
The free Sportfishing and Science Panel is being presented by TBF during the 2010 annual meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI), a scientific organization composed of scientists and researchers from throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. "The sportfishing community is the first line in fisheries conservation," said Peter Chaibongsai, TBF's Director of Science and Policy, "and the sportfishing community of Puerto Rico has a long and storied tradition. From its reputation as the 'blue marlin capital of the world' to the many prestigious billfish tournaments, Puerto Rico sportfishermen have provided a tradition of leadership and innovation in the big game fishing world and in marine conservation.
"TBF is hosting the panel to give these anglers the opportunity to speak with some of the world's leading authorities on billfish science and conservation," he said.
The balanced and informative three hours of scheduled talks will include:
* TBF's wider Caribbean Tagging and Sportfishing Data Collection Program
* The importance of sargassum habitat<br />
* Caribbean white marlin spawning aggregations<br />
* Fish aggregating devices: their use and implications<br />
* Seafood processors and conservation: The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation
Among the speakers and presenters joining Chaibongsai on the panel will be TBF President Ellen Peel; University of Southern Mississippi scientist Jim Franks, an expert on larval billfish and sargassum; TBF Science and Policy Specialist Elliott Stark, and Dr. Freddie Arocha, of the Instituto Oceanográfico de Venezuela.<br />
--------------------------
About The Billfish Foundation:
Established in 1986 by the late Winthrop P. Rockefeller, The Billfish Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. With world headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., USA, TBF's comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs, and sportfishing and tourism businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy. TBF's website is billfish.org and its phone number in the United
States is 800-438-8247 or 954-938-0150. Ms. Peel can be reached at ext. 108.
Media Contact<br />
TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications<br />
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA<br />
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com
The free Sportfishing and Science Panel is being presented by TBF during the 2010 annual meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI), a scientific organization composed of scientists and researchers from throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. "The sportfishing community is the first line in fisheries conservation," said Peter Chaibongsai, TBF's Director of Science and Policy, "and the sportfishing community of Puerto Rico has a long and storied tradition. From its reputation as the 'blue marlin capital of the world' to the many prestigious billfish tournaments, Puerto Rico sportfishermen have provided a tradition of leadership and innovation in the big game fishing world and in marine conservation.
"TBF is hosting the panel to give these anglers the opportunity to speak with some of the world's leading authorities on billfish science and conservation," he said.
The balanced and informative three hours of scheduled talks will include:
* TBF's wider Caribbean Tagging and Sportfishing Data Collection Program
* The importance of sargassum habitat<br />
* Caribbean white marlin spawning aggregations<br />
* Fish aggregating devices: their use and implications<br />
* Seafood processors and conservation: The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation
Among the speakers and presenters joining Chaibongsai on the panel will be TBF President Ellen Peel; University of Southern Mississippi scientist Jim Franks, an expert on larval billfish and sargassum; TBF Science and Policy Specialist Elliott Stark, and Dr. Freddie Arocha, of the Instituto Oceanográfico de Venezuela.<br />
--------------------------
About The Billfish Foundation:
Established in 1986 by the late Winthrop P. Rockefeller, The Billfish Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. With world headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., USA, TBF's comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs, and sportfishing and tourism businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy. TBF's website is billfish.org and its phone number in the United
States is 800-438-8247 or 954-938-0150. Ms. Peel can be reached at ext. 108.
Media Contact<br />
TBF PR counsel - Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications<br />
Scottsdale, Ariz., USA<br />
480-951-3654 (ph) -- JohnsonCom@aol.com