1st Annual Statewide Nonnative Fish Catch, Click, and Submit Contest

The Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (ECISMA) is organizing a nonnative freshwater fishing tournament for Invasive Species Week.

 

Begins:             6:00 AM Saturday February 21, 2015

Ends:               12:00 AM Sunday March 1, 2015

 

OBJECTIVES FOR TOURNAMENT

• Document the distribution of freshwater nonnative fish in Florida
• Increase awareness of the problem with nonnative freshwater fish
• Encourage anglers to target nonnative species

 

RULES FOR TOURNAMENT

• All anglers must register on EDDMaps – this is easy… visit http://eddmaps.org/
• When recording on EDDMaps all data must complete with exact location (GPS preferred) and include a photo. Photos should have fish flat on a light colored background, in shade if possible, head facing left, and extend the fins as much as possible.
• The boundaries for the tournament are all legally fished freshwater bodies of water in Florida
• All fish must be caught within compliance with the State of Florida regulations. Visit MyFWC.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations or visit a local bait and tackle shop for these.
• Native species are not eligible

 

PRIZES FOR TOURNAMENT

Most Unusual Catch – Adult

• First Prize – $75 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and Lionfish Be the Predator T-shirt
• Second Prize – $50 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and Lionfish Be the Predator T-shirt
• Third Prize – $25 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and Lionfish Be the Predator T-shirt

Most Species – Adult

• First Prize – $75 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and Lionfish Be the Predator T-shirt
• Second Prize – $50 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and Lionfish Be the Predator T-shirt
• Third Prize – $25 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and Lionfish Be the Predator T-shirt

Most Unusual Catch – Youth

• First Prize – $50 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and Lionfish Be the Predator T-shirt
• Second Prize – $25 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and Lionfish Be the Predator T-shirt
• Third Prize – $15 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and Lionfish Be the Predator T-shirt

Most Species – Youth

• First Prize – $50 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and Lionfish Be the Predator T-shirt
• Second Prize – $25 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and Lionfish Be the Predator T-shirt
• Third Prize – $15 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shop and Lionfish Be the Predator T-shirt

 

For a list of nonnative targets you can visit EDDMaps.com, MyFWC.com, or contact your local county Extension office. We encourage all participants to take and eat what you catch.

 

DISCLAIMER

It is expressly understood that participants in the 2015 Nonnative Fish Catch, Click, and Submit enter at their own risk and that Everglades CISMA and all participating organizations, Officers, Event Sponsors, and Committees, and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of said event, shall be exempt from any liability for liable, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury, or death suffered by any participant, entrant, vessel, and equipment, companions, and guests, boat captains, mates, or crew members, which may occur in conjunction with the 2015 Nonnative Fish Catch, Click, and Submit.

 

For more information contact ECISMA at http://evergladescisma.org/.