Tackle Trade World - December 2022

TACKLE COMPANIES OFFER AID
FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS
Tackle firms have been
coming up with innovative
ways to help fellow companies
and retailers devastated by
Hurricane Ian across Florida
and the southeast USA.
Costa, which is based in
Florida, set up the #OneCoast
concept five years ago in the
wake of other hurricanes, to
work on rebuilding the areas
worst hit by such tragedies.
Among the current
schemes are the Captains for
Clean Water relief fund. The
organisation lost its office and
many members’ homes but
the team has been navigating
waters for rescue missions and
delivering supplies.
The Worldwide Anglers
Relief Fund, set up by the
International Game Fish
Association (IGFA) and Costa
back in 2017, helps charter
captains, guides and outfitters
in the wake of natural
disasters.
There is also an auction of
fishing flies under the hashtag
#FliesforIan, with josh Mills
raising some $50,000 in the
first five days.
Costa is also selling
#OneCoast apparel with all
proceeds going directly to
relief efforts.
A Costa spokesman said: “As
#OneCoast, we will rebuild
and restore these areas that
have been drastically impacted
by Hurricane Ian. We’re proud
to be a part of an industry
where we’ve seen countless
brands, organisations and
individuals step up to provide
as much help as possible.”
Meanwhile, fishing and
marine apparel manufacturer
Hook & Tackle has donated
$35,000 in clothing to the
Miami Dolphins Foundation
to be distributed to the victims
in need from the hurricane.
Brand owner Stan Rudman,
who is also a co-chairman
of the Miami Dolphins
Foundation Fins Weekend,
said: “We decided to partner
up with the Miami Dolphins
Foundation as they have been
a force in our community. For
nearly 25 years, I have been
proud to work closely with the
foundation.
“Hurricane Ian really hit
Photo Credit: Mariah Bakke (IG_ @vivabymariah)
home, especially with many of
our retailers of over 30-plus
years losing their businesses
all together. It is devastating!
Anything we can do to help;
we will be there. There is
nothing like coming together
to do good for others when the
need is there, especially in our
backyard.”
US trade body provides Florida relief
The American Sportfishing Association,
the US tackle trade organisation, has been
supporting relief efforts following the
devastation across Florida in the wake of
Hurricane Ian recently.
It has made donations to several key
groups that have been specifically helping
the sportfishing community to recover
from the disaster, which swept through the
southwest of the state in particular.
The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of
Florida has been raising money through
its employee assistance fund to provide
emergency housing, food, water and other
necessities to staff affected.
The Worldwide Anglers
Relief Fund was set up
in 2017 by Costa and the
International Game Fish
Association to provide
financial aid to local
charter captains, guides
and outfitters in the wake
of natural disasters and has
distributed $225,000 to date.
Meanwhile, Captains for
Clean Water had boots on
the ground from the start and, despite the
loss of its office and many members’ homes,
the captains and guides worked round the
Photo Credit: John Landry (IG_ @sportfisha)
clock on rescue missions and supply help
and has set up its own hurricane relief fund,
which ASA has donated to.
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