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01 September 2011
Posted in
General
Jim Bandy, Chairman of the Board, SGF
Snook and Gamefish Foundation is proud to introduce Capt. Jim Bandy as the newly elected Chairman of the Board. Bandy had previously served on the board as Treasurer for the past two years.
Bandy enters at what he and most board members feel is a critical time for the foundation, and he’s up for the challenges he faces.
“It’s an honor to be in a position to have any kind of truthful effect on how we manage fisheries in this state and beyond,” Bandy said. “That’s why I originally volunteered with the foundation years ago – I’ve always felt that, as a user of the resource, I have a responsibility to help ensure there is a future for our fisheries.” With the Angler Action Program becoming a successful project of the SGF, Bandy sees the importance of continuing the effort.
"The partnership between the FWC, The Snook and Gamefish Foundation, and West Marine is historic. Never before have a state agency, a non-profit organization, and a marine based corporation come together to promote fish data collection and conservation,” he said.
“Collecting data - and then reporting that data as a part of a vetted group - is the best game in town. I really don’t see any other issue on our plate that is bigger than making sure the assessments and decisions FWC make is done with the most comprehensive and current data available (from anglers).”
Bandy said the data goes far beyond biologists establishing sensible catch limits.
“Knowing what sized fish are released, and where they are released, allows us to better understand how different habitats are used throughout the lifecycle of the gamefish we are tracking,” he said.
The species covered by the Angler Action Program are sea trout, redfish, tarpon, bonefish, permit and, of course, snook. Both the FWC and West Marine have stepped up in the past year to provide huge support for the Angler Action Program through funding and marketing the groundbreaking program.
Never before have recreational anglers had as much say in the state’s regulations as they do with the Angler Action Program.
“Long term, once we are making strides in Florida, it will be natural to expand throughout the southeast and into the whole country. I mean, you can’t tell me that other fisheries around the country aren’t in the same peril we are,” Bandy said. “It will be important information for every fishery, period.”
Educating children is another goal on Bandy's radar.
“I believe the way to change the way we think about our resources and habitats is to get kids involved,” Bandy said. “They are the ones we are trying to save this resource for, so we have to engage them.”
Other noteworthy points of the public board meeting were the voting in of 5 new directors (see the What’s New page on our site for details and bios), and the official changing of the name from the Snook Foundation to the Snook and Gamefish Foundation (SGF).
“For over a decade, the Snook Foundation has beat the drum that snook were the perfect representative for all gamefish because they use so many habitats throughout their lifecycle,” said Brett Fitzgerald, who was appointed Communications Director at the board meeting. “Our efforts have always been intended to help all gamefish and their associated habitats, as well as the anglers that pursue them. Snook will always be our face and passion, but this really felt like a natural progression.
Thanks to our many subscribers and members who have supported our mission to educate anglers and fishery managers. Our energy is drawn from you so please stay engaged, recruit a friend to the cause, and remember to keep us informed of issues in your neck of the woods.
- To welcome Jim aboard, please contact Capt. Jim Bandy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
- Click here for More of What's New
- Click here to Log your fishing trip in Angler Action
