Game fishers ‘Passport to Fishing’ a success

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Pago Pago Game Fishing Association (PPGFA) successfully hosted the Passport to Fishing event, open to the community, this past Saturday. Over 40 kids participated in the program, learning about knot tying and tackle, conservation and stewardship, and how to cast a reel safely.

The program is an initiative of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) that provided the fishing kit.

PPGFA partnered with several other organizations, including the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, American Samoa Marine Patrol, Fatoata, Aiga Tautai, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Sea Grants Ciguatera Research.

Participants navigated through several stations to learn more about safe fishing practices and conservation and stewardship efforts, such as catch-and-release fishing.

Catch-and-release efforts have been a focal point of PPGFA’s outreach efforts as the captains of the club continue to support bill fish catch-and-release efforts that align with Game Fishing Associations throughout the world. It is also important to bring catch-and-release efforts to the attention of future anglers to support healthy fish stocks for future generations. We can be proactive and support current and future anglers by educating them on our role in the vitality of our fisheries.

After participants got their passports stamped at each of the stations, they got on PPGFA boats to go fishing!

While out fishing, kids saw sharks, flying fish, jellyfish, turtles and dolphins. They landed a wide array of fish — sea breams, snappers, and a wahoo were just some of the fish that were brought back to the marina.

Rosie Tomasi even landed a baby hammerhead shark they released back into the water. Kids had the chance to see their island home from another point-of-view and appreciate the ocean and its diverse marine life.

Ida DeWees, after landing a Timor snapper, announced, “I can see how fishing can be addictive.”

The goal of the program — to get all our young anglers in love with fishing and invested in the wellbeing of our ocean. The program wrapped up with Participation Certificates for all the kids; a Saturday well spent having learned something new.

The Pago Pago Game Fishing Association is currently spearheaded by the Board: President Emanuele Pu’e, Vice President Sally Asafo, Secretary Melissa Pu’e, and Treasurer Pila Apted.

Want to learn more about PPGFA and their programs? You can email them at [email protected] or follow their Facebook page- Pago Pago Game Fishing Association.