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Governor's Cup
Billfishing Series Sets 2008 Tournament Schedule
The 20th annual S. C. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series
is just around the corner, and the S.C. Department of Natural
Resources announces two new coordinators for the upcoming season, as
well as the 2008 schedule and tournament information.
Visit the Web site at
http://govcup.dnr.sc.gov/ to learn more about the South Carolina
Governor's Cup Billfishing Series, and to keep up with this year's
standings.
The S.C. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series introduces
two current S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) employees who
will assist with the facilitation and promotion of the tournament
Series. Wallace Jenkins, program director, and Amy Dukes, tournament
coordinator, began their leadership efforts for the Series in
mid-January this year. Jenkins has been a biologist at DNR for many
years starting as a summer intern in 1975, working his way up to a
position managing red drum and striped bass stocking research. He
brings a wealth of experience in fisheries research, public
outreach, and grants management to the position as program director.
Dukes, during her tenure as a full time biologist at DNR's Marine
Resources Research Institute, has volunteered for many years,
assisting former Series Coordinator Tom DuPré during past Series
tournaments. Dukes has been a biologist with DNR since 1999, and has
conducted various research project associated with the ACE Basin
National Estuarine Research Reserve, including fisheries and water
quality research and public outreach programs. She also brings a
seasoned level of experience to the tournament coordinator position.
Before the S.C. Governor's Cup Series began in 1989,
virtually all billfish caught by anglers were killed and brought
back to the docks. The Series was established to promote the state's
billfish and encourage conservation of the ocean's limited natural
resources. The Series continues to actively encourage the
conservation of marine resources by promoting catch and release of
both billfish and other game fish. The partnership between DNR and
the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series has provided an important link
to the sportfishing community, and has allowed for an extremely
efficient and cost-effective means for gathering important
scientific data. During the 2007 Series, 179 billfish were caught
and released including 32 blue marlin, seven white marlin and 140
sailfish. In 2007, only one blue marlin was landed and brought back
to the docks to be weighed during Series tournaments, a significant
statement that uncovers the conservation ethic that tournament
participants seem to embody. The high release rate achieved during
the Series tournaments will significantly contribute to the future
of billfish populations. By maintaining close relationships with the
sportfishing community, including boat owners, captains and anglers,
data is also acquired for trips conducted not only at sanctioned
tournaments but from those taking place throughout the year.
Sponsorships are the lifeblood of the S.C. Governor's Cup
Series, without them it would not be able to operate. The DNR
greatly appreciates the generous support of corporate sponsor
Palmetto Ford Inc., and major sponsors HMY Yacht Sales, W.W.
Williams, The Charleston Angler, and Wachovia Wealth Management as
well as contributions from the Advisory Board of Directors and
others. The funds collected each year support the annual Series. To
help support the S.C. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series, contact
Wallace Jenkins for more information.
Tournament dates and contacts for the 2008 S.C. Governor's
Cup Billfishing Series are:
* May 14-17, Edisto Marina Billfish Tournament, contact Becca
Smith, 3702 Docksite Road Edisto Beach, SC, 29438, (407) 463-2082,
fax (843) 869-3738,
smithbeccae@gmail.com
* May 28-31, 41st Annual Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament,
contact Ricky Ferdon, PO Box 1704, Georgetown, SC 29442, (843)
546-1776, fax 546-7832,
glmarina@sc.rr.com or
www.georgetownlandingmarina.com
* June 25-28, Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina Billfish Tournament,
contact Deidre Menefee, 520 Folly Road #330, Charleston, SC 29412,
(843) 345-0369, fax 406-4813,
dpmenefee@aol.com
* July 9-12, HMY/Viking MEGADOCK Billfishing Tournament,
contact K.C. Rennie, PO Box 759, Charleston, SC, 29402, (843)
278-4914, fax 577-7704,
kcrennie@charlestoncitymarina.com
* July 23-26, Bohicket Marina Invitational Billfish
Tournament, contact Deidre Menefee, 520 Folly Road #330, Charleston,
SC, 29412, (843) 345-0369, fax 406-4813,
dpmenefee@aol.com
For more information on the South Carolina Governor's Cup
Billfishing Series, contact DNR's Jenkins by e-mail at
jenkinsw@dnr.sc.gov or
(843) 953-9835, and Dukes by e-mail at
dukesa@dnr.sc.gov or
(843) 953-9365. |
