International Game Fish Tournament Observers, Inc. (IGFTO) is the only worldwide membership-only billfish observer organization. We were formed in 2009 as an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit by a core group of experienced billfish anglers, whose dedication to the conservation ethics of these release tournaments formed the foundation of our model.
Dedicated to the preservation and conservation of game fish worldwide, we provide trained and insured observers to authenticate the "catch and release" of billfish & game fish during international big game fishing tournaments.
IGFTO Observers are experienced professional and/or amateur anglers with a variety of backgrounds. Our Observers have an average of 30+ years of experience on the water.
The IGFTO organization was founded in 2009 by three experienced fishermen and businessmen - Bob Malerba, John Treat, and Terry O'Neill - who felt passionately about providing highly-trained and insured observers to witness the safe catch and release of billfish and game fish in tournaments throughout the world.
Years ago, the International Game Fish Association, with the support of the National Marine Fisheries Service, adopted the Certified Observer Program which trained experienced captains, anglers, and crews to become official observers aboard tournament boats.
This program reduced and prevented rule disputes and infractions and changed the direction of tournaments from killing billfish to one that releases the billfish to preserve the species.
Until the creation of the IGFTO, observers did not carry liability insurance and posed a potential liability risk for tournament directors and boat owners participating in these events.
Bob Malerba, a highly-trained observer and co-founder of IGFTO, passed away May 31, 2011 after battling esophagus cancer. Bob participated as an observer in more than 75 international billfish tournaments. He was honored in memoriam at the Virgin Islands Game Fish Club's July 2011 Open Billfish Tournament in St. Thomas, USVI. Bob served as an observer at this tournament for many years.
Bob was born in Meridan, CT and attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, where he earned a bachelor degree in economics. He served for 11 years in the Air Force as an instructor pilot in the KC-135A Strato-Tanker, air-fueling other aircraft. He served on three separate occasions in Vietnam and flew more than 125 missions in Southeast Asia.
Bob joined the IGFA Certified Observer Program in 2003, passing the exam at Ocean City, MD. Boating and fishing were a big part of his recreational life. He owned and operated boats from 22 feet to 48 feet for more than 20 years. He spent most of those years fishing the Atlantic out of Montauk Point, NY before selling his boat in 2003. Not wanting to give up his passion for fishing, he became a certified observer and served as Observer Coordinator for many of the more than 30 tournaments he worked in Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.
Support our mission through a one-time (or recurring) tax deductible donation in any amount.
DonatePlease mail your check to:
IGFTO
P.O. Box 30191
Pensacola, FL 32503-9998
