Karl Wickstrom, Founder and Editor–in-Chief of Florida Sportsman Magazine, CCA Florida Chairman Emeritus, and longtime advocate for fisheries conservation and recreational anglers has been selected for induction into the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame. Karl was one of the founding members and longtime leaders of CCA Florida.
Wickstrom has been involved in CCA Florida conservation advocacy battles since its creation in 1985; including, the biggest of all, the constitutional amendment which banned use of all gill and entangling nets.
“Karl was the leader in the constitutional amendment drive. His determination and can-do attitude was a key to the success of the campaign” said Alex Jernigan, CCA Florida’s first chairman.
Wickstrom served as Chairman of the Save our Sealife Committee which led the constitutional amendment citizen petition drive. During the three year campaign a national record was established when more than 500,000 citizen petitions were collected by an all volunteer army; no paid petition gatherers were used. In 1994 Florida voters approved the “Limiting Marine Net Fishing” constitutional amendment with an overwhelming 72 percent “Yes” vote.
“The over whelming public approval of the net ban was the turning point in the management of marine fisheries in Florida” said Ted Forsgren, CCA Florida Executive Director. “With the ban on gill and entangling nets and huge purse seines, recreational fish species like seatrout and forage fish species like mullet and menhaden increased dramatically.”
Other prominent CCA leaders have been honored by the IGFA. In 2004, Walter Fondren III, CCA National Chairman and one of the founders of the Coastal Conservation Association was inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame.
The 10th annual IGFA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held at the International Fishing Hall of Fame in Dania Beach, Florida on Saturday, October 25, 2008. In addition to Wickstrom this year’s Hall of Fame Inductees were Henry Chee, Dr. Roy Dean, Jimmy Houston, and Kay Rybovich.
“Karl is truly a leader in the sportsfishing community” said Mark Carter, CCA Florida Chairman. “We are pleased that he has received Hall of Fame recognition.”
