IGFTO LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

The International Game Fish Tournament Observer (IGFTO) organization recently launched a new website, www.igfto.org, to better serve its members and the group's overall mission of "observing today, conserving tomorrow."

The International Game Fish Association was the first group to start a "Certified Observer" program. Through this program, men and women were trained to tell the various species of billfish apart and the intricacies of the angling rules set forth by the IGFA. Billfish tournaments then used the certified observers in their release tournaments to reduce rule disputes and other infractions. Observers Bob Malerbra, John Treat and Terry O'Neill got together to take observing even a step further and formed the IGFTO, which provides tournaments with experienced observers who also carry liability insurance.

Since the IGFTO was established in the fall of 2009, its observers have witnessed the safe release of more than 2,000 billfish throughout North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

To learn more about the IGFTO and how to become a certified observer so you can observe in some of the world's most famous events, visit the new site at www.igfto.org.