New partnership between the IGFA and NACO

 

NACO was contacted by the folks at the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) on October 17, 2018 about forming this partnership as a way to provide some financial assistance to those for hire charter and headboat owners, operators, and crews who have suffered from the impacts of hurricane Michael. Our NACO staff has already been working to identify the for hire charter and headboat owners within the area most affected by Michael which is from Steinhatchee, FL to Panama City Beach, FL. Working with the Florida Wildlife Commission and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission we have been provided the number of for hire charter and headboats licensed to operate in Florida and with federal charter and headboat permits.

 

We are in the process of providing more information to you and providing our application form for those living and working in the affected area to apply for assistance. Due to limited funds we will not be able to provide financial assistance to everyone and will be looking to help those most in need. We will also be seeking more funding to add to what IGFA has provided. Please stand by as we are diligently working to provide more information to those folks living and working in the affected area.

 

We greatly appreciate the folks at the IGFA for reaching out to NACO to help in this effort. We are looking forward to working with IGFA on future projects to help the for hire charter and headboat industry. 

 

For those who will apply for financial assistance from this program be aware you “DO NOT” have to be a member of NACO or the IGFA. This assistance is dedicated for those in need the most and to help folks get back on the water providing recreational fishing opportunities to the public.

 

We welcome anyone who would like to be a member of NACO as working to improve the for hire charter and headboat industry is one of our main goals. Thanks and look for more information soon.

 

You may receive the following via email fro the IGFA:

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) recently announced that it will allocate an initial $10,000 in relief funds from its Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund (WARF) to assist in the recovery efforts of the recreational fishing industry in the Florida Panhandle after Hurricane Michael. 

 

The IGFA and Costa, a founding partner of the WARF, will be working with the National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO) to identify those captains, guides and mates that are in the most need of this relief funding. 

We would greatly appreciate you helping us to spread the news about this important work to help get the recreational fishing industry in the Florida Panhandle back up and running. 

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me directly. 

Best regards,

 

Jack Vitek

Marketing Manager

International Game Fish Association (IGFA)

300 Gulf Stream Way

Dania Beach, FL 33004

954-924-4246