Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament Takes New Measure to Conserve Fisheries

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For Immediate Release

Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament Takes New Measure to Conserve Fisheries

"Circle Hook Only" Policy in Effect for Upcoming Tournament

FLORIDA, FORT LAUDERDALE, Nov. 8 -/E-Wire/-- A bold new step is underway by one of south Florida's oldest billfish tournaments, the Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament (FLBT), to help protect billfish by requiring its anglers to utilize only circle hooks when fishing at the upcoming tournament on November 14 - 18, 2001 at the Las Olas Marina. This decision makes the FLBT the first major Tournament in the country to implement this conservation strategy.

"The biggest benefit to using circle hooks is that the fish is almost always hooked in the corner of the mouth where it can be easily removed or left on the fish without damaging it,' said tournament president Jamie Strauss. "We feel that it is important to do everything we can to promote responsible angling now -- before it is too late.'

The protection of fish has always been of paramount importance to Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament organizers. During its 34-year evolution, when the plight of billfish became apparent, they changed the tournament format to "Tag & Release' and then simply to a "Release' policy when tagging became too dangerous to the fish. The group also made a sweeping environmental protection move last year by eliminating the practice of live chumming during its event.

"We recognize that this decision is going to affect the way that anglers fish our tournament and that some may be hesitant to change their tried and true fishing methods,' said tournament board member and multiple world record holder, Captain Skip Smith (former Captain of The Madam and The Hooker). "We are confident that once they learn the proper techniques of circle hook fishing, and the added benefits of a higher hook-up rate, they'll be hooked themselves.'

The FLBT hosted seminars and disseminated educational materials over the past few months to expedite the education of local anglers about the benefits and techniques of using circle hooks.

The Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion and protection of recreational fishing. In addition to a top boat prize of $10,000, the tournament also features the "Captain Morgan Big Boat Challenge' with possible prize money for top boat of $100,000 cash (based on 80 entries).

For more information on how you can participate, contact Kitty McGowan at (954) 316-3986 or visit http://www.billfishtournament.com.

Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament

http://www.billfishtournament.com.

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