ELLIOTT Stark, a science and policy specialist with The Billfish Foundation (TBF), an influential international angling advocacy organisation based in the US, this week made presentations to Sydney-based game fishing clubs, outlining the work TBF does in conserving the world’s billfish and other gamefish stocks.
During his visit to the Port Hacking Gamefishing Club on Tuesday night, Stark presented awards to local recreational fishing identities for their efforts in relation to billfish conservation.
Fishing World editor Jim Harnwell received an award for “Leadership in Fisheries Conservation, support for the Future of Sportfishing and Continued Sportfishing Access in the Coral Sea”.
Other award recipients included Allan Hansard, representing the Australian Fishing Trade Association and Graeme Williams, from the Game Fishing Association of Australia.
Fisho’s Jim Harnwell (right) receiving his award. The GFAA’s Grahame Williams was also honoured on the night (below).
Stark will honour other Aussie anglers and angling identities at other presentations planned for later in the month.
TBF is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of billfish and associated species to improve the health of oceans and economies. The Foundation works through a constituent network that includes scientists, policy makers, anglers and other partners in the marine industry to align the interests of marine resource users with the responsibilities of resource managers.
The TBF and other international organisations such as IGFA (related story HERE) are currently very interested in what’s happening with our marine parks and will more than likely be working with Australian angling groups in a bid to lobby government against the push by extreme green groups to close vast areas of our oceans to fishing.
More information on the Billfish Foundation and how to join its cause can be found HERE. The fact is, the more Aussie anglers who join groups like TBF and IGFA, the more work these powerful and respected organisations can do in lobbying our politicians …
Stay tuned for a special video interview Fisho is conducting today with Elliott Stark.
