Two, signature division tagged redfish caught by unregistered anglers during opening week
Orlando, Fla. – July 10, 2020 – CCA Florida, the state’s leading organization dedicated to marine fisheries conservation, education, and advocacy, kicked off its family-friendly, statewide fishing competition, CCA Florida STARpresented by Yamaha, on July 1 and announced two, iHeart Radio tagged redfish were caught during Fourth of July weekend.
The iHeart Radio Tagged Redfish Division is STAR’s signature division offering registered anglers the opportunity to win his or her choice of a boat, motor, and trailer package valued up to $80,000 from Contender Boats, Pathfinder Boats, Hewes, Carolina Skiff, Yamaha Outboards, and Rolls Axle Trailer. Unfortunately, the two anglers who caught the prized redfish over the holiday were unregistered and missed their chance to win.
“STAR 2020 marks the competition’s sixth year, and with help from Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC), Duke Mariculture Center, and CCA Florida staff, we yet again, released 160 tagged, redfish along Florida’s coastal waters,” CCA Florida STAR Director Leiza Fitzgerald said. “Every tagged redfish gives someone the opportunity to win a new boat, motor and trailer package, the winner just has to be a registered, CCA Florida member – so, if your fishing this summer, then register for STAR.”
The nearly 100-day STAR competition releases an average of four, tagged redfish per coastal county in the state. Each year during the competition, anglers catch the fish and call, per tag instructions, but on average at least 20 anglers miss the chance to win, as they are unregistered.
CCA Florida STAR, presented by Yamaha, is the largest family-friendly saltwater fishing competition in Florida. The nearly 100-day competition invites anglers of all ages and skill levels to participate because unlike traditional fishing tournaments, STAR focuses on conservation and offers nearly $500,000 in prizes and scholarships just for catching fish. Recognized as a ‘catch, photo and release’ competition, STAR’s smart phone app eliminates the requirement for anglers to harvest or capture and transport fish.
“STAR gives participants countless opportunities to win awesome prizes, but it is also designed to collect valuable data and support the health of our fisheries,” Fitzgerald said. “Every fish counts, as the benefit to receiving more entries is twofold, it offers more opportunities for participants to win and gives us more insight to protect Florida’s marine resources.”
STAR has a total of 17 divisions, including the Youth Scholarship Division presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, giving kids (ages 6 to 17) the chance to win scholarships, with $100,000 available. Additional divisions include ladies, kayak, guides and many more. Most division winners are determined by a random drawing, not by biggest fish, giving anglers of all skill levels a shot at winning.
STAR’s technology-based format encourages participants of all ages to protect and conserve Florida’s fisheries for today and future generations.
To register for STAR 2020 or receive additional information on divisions, prizes and more, visit ccaflstar.com or Facebook.
Contact: Mary Hillyer Peelen| 407.617.0604 | mhpeelen@ccaflorida.org
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About CCA Florida
The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) was founded in 1977 after drastic commercial overfishing along the Texas coast decimated redfish and speckled trout populations. One of 19 state chapters, CCA Florida became the fifth state chapter in 1985. A 501(c)3 non-profit, the purpose of CCA is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. Through habitat restoration projects, water quality initiatives and fisheries advocacy, CCA Florida works with its over 18,000 members including recreational anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to conserve and enhance marine resources and coastal environments. Join the conversation on Facebook or learn more at ccaflorida.org.
