The Billfish Foundation at Brazil's sportfishing Trade Show promoting conservation/sportfishing tourism

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. USA -- The Billfish Foundations' global conservation and sportfishing tourism efforts will be highlighted in an opening day presentation August 10, at Brazil’s Pesca Sportfishing Trade Show in Sao Paulo. The trade show runs through August 12.

The seminar "The Science of Fisheries Conservation and the Economic Development of Sportfishing Tourism" will be presented by TBF's Elliott Stark at 10:30 a.m.

Stark, a science and policy specialist at the 25 year old non-profit organization which is committed to solely conserving and enhancing billfish populations globally, will highlight TBF's ongoing fisheries programs to empower continued strives in billfish conservation by several countries in South and Central America. Specific topics include sportfishing tourism, tagging and fisheries conservation issues, and representation of sportfishing interests in the management process.

"Brazil has an incredible sportfishing history and the potential to greatly expand its sportfishing tourism infrastructure," said Stark. "Sportfishing tourism is good for communities, good for tax bases, good for the oceans. This is an increasingly important means to empower fisheries conservation policy on national and international scales. TBF is proud to be able to work with some key members to promote conservation and sportfishing tourism in Brazil."

Marcelo Claro, the president of the Brazilian Sportfishing Trade Show is hosting The Billfish Foundation along with Waldyr Andrade Filho, owner of Bahia Sportfishing Lodge bahiapescaesportiva.com.br who is also donating the trip for the recently announced TBF Experience South America. The foundation recently launched the TBF Experience, a worldwide membership drive in strategic parts of the world with special regional prize packages for new and existing TBF's members from South American countries.

"The choices of traveling anglers can be influenced by countries directed conservation and marketing initiatives," said Stark. "In several regions of the globe we are seeing more dedication to increasing sportfishing tourism as a means to promote fisheries conservation as well as the economic well being of communities.

For more on joining The Billfish Foundation, starting at $40 annual membership, plus learning more about TBF Experience South America, please visit billfish.org. Or you can write to Stark at Elliott_Stark@billfish.org or phone him at TBF at 800-438-8247 ext101.

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