Boating Industry Intelligence You Can Profit From
The Monica Burguera Foundation (MBF) announced Thursday the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show as sponsor of its upcoming 6th Annual Fishing and Spearfishing for Boating Safety Tournament, taking place August 8 at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club. The tournament draws more than 100 anglers and all funds raised will go toward free monthly boating safety classes that are held in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard as part of MBF’s mission to spread awareness for watercraft safety and boating education.
As Silver Sponsor of the Tournament, Miami Boat Show organizers will be onsite during the Captains Reception on August 6 and during the fishing tournament on August 8 to support MBF and the show’s shared mission to spread awareness for boating safety and education; the boat show will provide boating safety courses through its Discover Boating Hands-On Skills Training courses and other programs during the annual event February 11-15, 2016, at its new home, Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin.
Registration per boat for the Fishing and Spearfishing for Boating Safety Tournament is $500; $50 for extra anglers on boat. The registration fee includes: Captains Reception, boat goodie bag, tournament t-shirt, day of fun for family and friends, Post-Tournament Cocktail Party, and Award Ceremony. The fee is $35 for adults and $25 for children who don’t wish to fish but would like to support and attend the tournament. Register today at www.mbfBoatingSafety.org
Other sponsors for MBF’s 2015 Fishing and Spearfishing for Boating Safety Tournament include:
- Gold Anchor Sponsors: Rickenbacker Marina, Inc, Estrella Insurance, Gincho Production, SeaHunter, Joe L. Fernandez
- Silver Anchor Sponsors: ACR Electronics, Progressive Insurance International Miami Boat Show
- Bronze Anchor Sponsor: Roma
- Anchor Sponsors: B&B Manufacturing Corp, Star Casualty, Star Brite
- Media/Marketing Sponsors: Imagen, Planeta Media
- Beverage Sponsors: Anchor Distilling Co., Islamorada Beer Company, Copa Di Vino, Marley Beverage, Sparkling Ice
- Burgee Sponsors: Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, USA Coast Guard Auxiliary, Sea Tow, Sailboards Miami, BOATPIX, Key Biscayne Yacht Club, Mercy Hospital
To register, volunteer, sponsor or get more information, please contact Mari Novo at mm@monicaburguerafoundation.org or 305-398-4609 or visit www.mbfBoatingSafety.org
I hope the Miami Boat Show familiarizes participants in the spearfishing aspect of this event with the locations of the Federal Special Management Zones in which spearfishing, of any type, is expressly prohibited. One such zone includes the entire Key Biscayne Artificial Reef Site and all of the habitat contained therein.
Hi Mr. Mostkoff,
Thank you for your comment. Education is key, we agree with you. At our Captain's meeting before the tournament, we brief the participants on rules, regulations and safety tips.
Have a wonderful and safe day!
Mari Novo
Director of Operations
Monica Burguera Foundation
http://www.mbfBoatingSafety.org
3750 W. Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33134
Hi Mari,
Thanks for your response. As the founding coordinator of the Miami-Dade County Artificial Reef Program (1981-1996), our greatest accomplishment was in working with the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect our artificial reefs through the establishment of Federally mandated Special Management Zones. While gathering information on this to educate your participants, you may wish to review the provisions of the SMZ's which are defined in sections 622.182(a) and 622.382(A)(1)(V) of the Code of Federal Regulations: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=c7b246f6ff75b1920dda91b4cad6c06b&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&r=PART&n=pt50.12.622#se50.12.622_116
Also, you may wish to know that it is the opinion of many fisheries biologists that spearfishing can be extremely detrimental to the health of the stock of reef fishes as large fish of reproductive age are often the choice target (especially in tournaments providing rewards based on pounds/size of fish caught), whereas hook and line fishing is much more random in nature in terms of catch. It is also impossible to release an undersized speared fish unharmed which does not comply with fishery regulations for a particular species.
I know you are attempting to reach as large a potential audience with this event, but you may wish to do additional research on the potential negative aspects of spearfishing. Thankfully the SMZ off of Key Biscayne and elsewhere will prevent this activity from taking place during this event.
All The Best With Your Event- Ben Mostkoff
Hi Ben, thank you for all this information. We want to keep everyone safe from individuals to marine life to our wonderful environment.
If possible would you be able to email me at mm@monicaburguerafoundation.org so we can discuss how we can share this important information to the participants as well as to our community.
Thank you again, Mari Novo
Mari Novo
Director of Operations
Monica Burguera Foundation
http://www.mbfBoatingSafety.org