‘World’s Richest’ plans finalized

2012 Richest Tarpon Tournament art by Guy Harvey

In another turn of events, Guy Harvey has also released one of the pieces of artwork he created for the tournament. Harvey, as well as Project Tarpon, Mote Marine Laboratories and Florida Sportfishing Magazine, are major sponsors.

Lew Hastings, the executive director of the Chamber, gives partial credit for those sponsors backing the tournament because of the message the World’s Richest sends to the fishing community.

“Our all–release, no-weigh, no-kill tournaments are an alternative whose time has come,” he said. “Bringing families together in sport and education strengthens not only our estuaries and fisheries, but enriches our community as a whole. The urgency towards conservation has become increasingly apparent over the last few years, and the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce is committed to taking the lead in creating opportunities to help rehabilitate a habitat that has flourished in Southwest Florida for thousands of years.”

So far, seven boats have paid their entry fee to enter the tournament.

The tournament, the first “World’s Richest” since 2005, will pay out $80,000 to winning teams, based on a full field of 50 boats. The first place team will receive $40,000, the second place team will receive $24,000 and the third place team will get $16,000.

One change this year will be the boundaries for the tournament. The east boundary will be a straight line from the entrance to Bull Bay to the northwest tip of Bokeelia. The west boundary will be third red bell buoy (R8). The south boundary will be the mouth of Cayo Costa Lagoon (at the point of Cayo Costa), and the north boundary will be the Coast Guard Range Light.

The Boca Grande Pass boundary to the east will be a straight line from the phosphate dock to the northwest tip of Cayo Costa Island. The west boundary will be the first red marker buoy (R12) to the north end of the seawall, and the first red buoy (again, R12), to the southwest corner of Cayo Costa Island. It will be marked by an orange flag.View More images >>

Full entry payment is due by May 1. The deposit to secure entry is  $250, which is non-refundable after April 1.

Teams can register at the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce Office.

“Our mission is conservation, education and sportsmanship,” Hastings said. “This takes Boca Grande’s world-famous moniker of “Tarpon Capital of the World,” and the Boca Grande Area Chamber’s signature

“World’s Richest” Tarpon Tournament, and uses them to help educate residents and visitors alike about the importance of protecting our ecosystems. We want to ensure proper stewardship of our natural resources so that they may be enjoyed for generations to come.”