How to Get Your Kids Off the Couch and Outside

 The International Game Fish Association is the most recognized authority when it comes to game fish and angling-related matters in the entire world. They are a non-profit who is committed to the conservation of games fish and the promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices, through science, education, rulemaking, record keeping and recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the field of angling. They were founded in 1939 and have members all over the world. In August 2021, they were able to globally represent anglers and their conservation communities at the United Nations level. One of their biggest conservation victories came in 2012 when the Billfish Conservation Act of 2012 was signed by President Obama that closed the U.S. mainland to commercial market to foreign-caught Pacific billfish by banning their importation and was amended in 2018 to prevent any billfish from being entered into trade or sold in the continental U.S.

They are also involved with the Everglades Restoration Plan, whose goal is to return the Everglades to its former glory, and the 30x30 initiative, which plan is to protect 30% of our oceans and land by 2030. They are also involved in making policies that protect both the fish and anglers alike. They want both the anglers and fish to benefit from the policies and rules that they create.

While conservation efforts are of upmost importance, it is also important to be able to educate youth on the ethical way to fish. Their Youth Education Initiative is to teach 100,000 kids to fish and become the next generation of people who are dedicated to conservation. They provide fishing courses for people of all ages, hold youth fishing camps, and have seminars that offer fishing advice for anglers of any skill level.

They have day camps, spring camps and summer camps that offer opportunities for parents to get rid of their kids for some time and allow them to gain valuable knowledge of fishing techniques and conservation methods. There are also fishing tournaments that allow your kids to show off what they have learned and have some friendly competition with their friends. For more information on this click here.

Another organization that is dedicated to teaching youth how to fish is Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs. More information about them can be found here.