Non-native Fish Roundup this Saturday with 3 CISMAs

If you like fishing, winning money, getting cool stuff and saving the environment please consider participating this Saturday.  Registration is open till Friday.  This event will have check in stations in Collier, Miami-Dade, and Broward counties.

 

Website to sign up: http://www.evergladescisma.org/roundup/

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/141136399392668/?fref=ts

 

 

Details:

 

The Everglades ecosystem is home to at least 22 nonnative freshwater fish species. These non-native fish may be causing detrimental changes to our native fish communities, particularly as the number of new species continues to increase. All but two of these fish were introduced illegally as the result of releases of unwanted pets and food fish, or due to the flooding of aquaculture ponds.

The Everglades CISMA is hosting the Everglades Non-native Fish Round Up to raise public awareness about the potential negative impacts of releasing non-native fish into Florida waters, and to encourage anglers to target these nonnative species for consumption. The Round Up will also gather data into non-native fish distribution and abundance that can assist in their management.

The Round Up will be a one day event open to all anglers (shore or boat) fishing in the Everglades area. CASH PRIZES will be awarded for largest fish, largest aggregate catch (weight), and will include a junior division. We also will award a "Slam" prize to the angler that catches the greatest number of non-native species.

 

Cash and Prize Awards:

 

Largest Fish: 1st place prizes for the angler who catches the single largest (weight) fish include a cash prize of $375, a plaque, an Okuma rod and reel donated by Competition Tackle, and a pair of Smith Optics sunglasses (a $125 value) donated by the Fly Shop . There will be a 2nd place cash prize of $225, a plaque, and a $75 gift certificate to El Capitan Marine for the angler who catches the second largest (weight) fish. There will be a 3rd place prize of $150, a plaque, and a reel and rod donated by Anglers Bait and Tackle for the third largest (weight) fish. The junior angler with the largest (weight) fish will receive a cash prize of $75, a plaque, and a $25 gift certificate to El Capitan Marine.

Most Fish: There will be a 1st place cash prize of $375, a plaque, a Daiwa rod and reel donated by Competition Tackle, and Costa Del Mar Sunglasses (a $200 value) donated by the Fly Shop for the most (weight) fish. The 2nd place prizes include a cash prize of $225, a plaque, $50 gift certificate to LMR Custom Rods, and a $25 gift certificate to El Capitan Marine for the second most (weight) fish. 3rd place prizes will include a cash prize of $150, a plaque, and a cast net donated by Competition tackle for the third most (weight) fish. Junior division prizes include a cash prize of $75, a plaque, and a $25 gift certificate to El Capitan Marine, which will be awarded to the junior angler with the most (weight) fish.

Non-native Slam: There will be a single prize of $500 along with a rod and reel donated by Bass Pro Shop (a $200 value) and a $25 gift certificate to El Capitan Marine for the angler that brings in the greatest variety of non-native fish species. The Junior prizes will include a cash prize of $100, a Daiwa rod and reel donated by Competition Tackle, a plaque, and a $25 gift certificate to El Capitan Marine. In the event of tie the aggregate weight of the combined fish will determine the winner.

* Cash Prizes listed above are based on an entry of 150 anglers. Prizes will be re-calculated on date of event after registration closes. After the weigh in is complete, winners of that weigh in station will be announced. However, winners of the tournament will be announced the following Monday when results have been posted on the website. Prizes will be remitted within seven days to the winners by Federal Express.

 

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Alan Shane McKinley
Crew Leader
Florida/Caribbean Exotic Plant Management Team
National Park Service
Biological Resources Management Division
18001 Old Cutler Road, Suite 419
Miami, Fl 33157-6422
Phone: (786) 249-3014
Fax: (305) 253-0463
Cell: (305)753-3557