THE IGFA (International Game Fish Association) has caught up with the times and made over 120 salt and freshwater species eligible for record claims by being measured and released, rather than be killed and weighed.
Species such as sailfish and tarpon, which are easily damaged if removed from the water, can now be safely measured and claimed as records. The new rules stipulate that “fish must be measured at the site of capture and released so that it swims away on its own and in good condition.”
The IGFA has in recent years formed effective partnerships with moderate Green groups in its efforts to conserve billfish stocks and educate the public about the desirability of not buying billfish in fish markets and restaurants.
More information on the new rules, on aids such as measuring mats, and on their broader initiatives is available by accessing the IGFA website, www.igfa.org
