Following a series of meetings over the past several months the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) recently announced the appointment of their new North America Regional Council. The North American Regional Council is the fourth regional council formed as part of IGFA’s strategy to increase the association’s international relevance and provide an enhanced, regional structure for IGFA Representatives.
“We are very excited to get the North American Regional Council up and running,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “There are some incredible leaders serving on this council and I cannot thank the council chairs and members enough for their support.”
The IGFA Regional Councils provide a local organizational framework that encourages the IGFA’s strategic mission at a grassroots level and cultivates relationships with IGFA representatives, clubs, captains, weigh stations, and members.
IGFA representatives in North America participated in a two-week nomination process to recommend council officers and committee members. The nomination process concluded on Monday, October 5, with a total of 44 nominations received. Several individuals selected as officers of the new North America Regional Council may be recognizable to readers of The Fisherman. David Matagiese of Cape May was tabbed to chair the IGFA Education Committee. With a lifetime of experience in the coastal environment of South Jersey, Matagiese received a BS degree in Global Environmental Science and later earned a master’s degree in coastal zone management from Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center near Fort Lauderdale.
Through his company EcoVentures, Matagiese and his team teach children and families about the environment and importance of conserving our natural resources through hands-on science programs. Matagiese conducts several IGFA Family Fishing Clinics and works closely with the other IGFA Representatives to organize an annual fundraiser to support the IGFA’s Education and Conservation programs. Also sitting on the IGFA Education Committee is Capt. Gene Nigro of Leonardo, longtime skipper of Phantom Sportfishing out of Highlands, NJ.
Beach Haven native Karl Anderson was appointed to chair the Rules and Recognition Committee. A resident of Pompano Beach, FL, Anderson has worked as a journalist, consultant, field tester, marketing director, product manager, fisherman, deckhand and captain. A graduate of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Anderson was senior and field editor for Salt Water Sportsman Magazine, ships’ systems editor for Marlin Magazine, and authored numerous features for other global publications while appearing on several national television shows. Also appointed to IGFA’s Rules and Recognition Committee was South Plainefield’s Jeff Merrill. A longtime contributor to The Fisherman Magazine, Merrill is a retired firefighter who runs a Parker pilothouse called the Kathy G recreationally out of Manasquan Inlet.
“The purpose of the IGFA Regional Councils is to create local organizational structures to help the IGFA drive our mission of game fish conservation and the promotion of ethical angling practices around the world,” Schratwieser said, adding “IGFA Regional Councils will assist IGFA headquarters in maintaining and cultivating relationships with IGFA clubs, captains, weigh stations and members in their geographies.”
