GAME ON
3/1/2007 2:39:19 PM by Sandy Lindsey
The International Gamefish Association’s Rob Kramer and his team strive to have a positive impact on global fisheries and the organization’s 30,000-plus membership is happy to be a part of history in the making.
As president of the International Gamefish Association (IGFA), Rob Kramer is at the virtual helm of the sport of recreational gamefishing and the important conservation issues it faces. The IGFA is a 67-year-old, world-famous not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to the conservation of game fish and promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices through the use of science, education, rule making and record keeping. There are an inspiring 30,000-plus member anglers throughout the world.
“The IGFA has a proud history of providing service to the recreational fishermen of the world,” says Kramer. “In recent years, the decline of our fish stocks on a global basis has prompted us to further expand our efforts in conservation. Since the early 1940s, the IGFA has been appointing field representatives and today has over 300 in nearly 100 countries around the world. We’re striving to have a positive impact on our global fisheries.”
The best way to protect the planet’s fisheries is to not only work in the present but to plan for the future. “We know more about the surface of the moon than we do about the oceans on our planet,” says Kramer. Under his direction, he says the IGFA is committing a greater and greater amount of its time and resources to gathering data on our ocean’s fisheries and combining this with the economic needs of coastal communities. “It’s imperative that man co-exist with our fisheries resources in a sustainable manner,” says Kramer.
When he’s not working, Kramer likes to relax on the waters he protects. “Being on the water is the only way that I can truly tune out the busy world we live in,” he says. “Fishing requires focus. With this focus, extraneous thoughts are totally eliminated for me.” Other than some serious, yet fun, fishing, he likes to go canoeing and kayaking. And in a statement that may seem cliché, but is true, ocean swimming is his preferred form of exercise.
His most exciting moment on the water happened near the Galapagos Islands. “I once caught and released 23 striped marlin between 200-250 pounds each within 13 hours of fishing near the Galapagos Islands,” he reminisces. “Being on the water so close to the equator is truly a magical experience. The worst thing you can do with a boat is to not use it enough. Due to my hectic travel schedule, this would be the case with me if I owned one. Subsequently, I have many generous friends with boats of all different sizes and I’m fortunate enough to go out with them whenever I get a chance.”
Back at the office, he and his staff have recently completed a strategic business plan, reorganized IGFA departments, added several new staff members and developed a clear and concise mission statement.
Kramer is also the founder of the Florida Foundation for Responsible Angling, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing fishing opportunities and conservation information to Florida’s citizens. It seems the ocean is a better place with Rob Kramer looking out for it.