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The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has
announced a program to certify professional charter
captains and guides who meet certain criteria. The
program went into effect in April, and some well known
captains have already been certified by IGFA.
"Charter captains are part of the lifeblood of
the recreational fishing industry," said Michael
Levitt, Chairman of IGFA. "We started this program
as a benefit to captains who demonstrate a certain level
of knowledge and professionalism."
Several of the benefits available to IGFA certified
captains/guides include the fact that they will be
authorized to use the IGFA name and logo in conjunction
with "IGFA certified captain/guide" in
promoting their business, listing on IGFA's website, and
in the IGFA museum interactive display, referrals to
IGFA member inquiries, discounts on ads in the World
Record Game Fishes Book and IGFA merchandise, free IGFA
membership to their best clients, quarterly updates from
IGFA headquarters, e-mail news on hot items, official
hat, decals and embroidered patches and more.
Mike Leech, president of IGFA, said "The IGFA
certified captains/guides program will be a big benefit
for our thousands of members in over 120 countries and
territories. About 85% of our members travel to fish,
and IGFA members will have access to knowledgeable
captains/guides at many of their fishing
destinations."
In order to qualify as an IGFA certified
captain/guide, they must pass a written test, provide
references, and pay a processing fee.
Some of the first captains/guides accepted by IGFA
under their new program include Red Bailey of St.
Thomas; Lance Glaser, Royal Palm Beach; Bubba Carter,
Palm Beach; Al Anderson, Rhode Island; Juan
"Tito" Martinez and Mike Benitez, Puerto Rico;
Laurie Wright and Paul Whelan, Australia; Peter Wright,
Stuart; Terry Robinson, Jupiter; Bouncer Smith, Miami
Beach; Roddy Hays, British West Indies; Ron Hamlin,
Guatemala; Didier Armand, France; Gene VanderHoek, Kevin
Nakamaru, Rob McGuckin, Norm and Darrin Isaacs, Hawaii.
For information on how to apply to become a certified
captain/guide, contact IGFA at 300 Gulf Stream Way,
Dania Beach, Florida 33004, phone 954/927-2628, fax
954/924-4299, e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
IGFA is a 61 year-old nonprofit conservation and
recordkeeping organization with representatives and
members in about 125 countries and territories. The
association's headquarters are in the 60,000 sq ft IGFA
Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach,
Florida.
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