If you're planning to attend the Fifth World Recreational Fishing Conference (WRFC) Nov. 10 ??? 13, now is the time to signup. Early registration for the conference, devoted to international recreational fisheries, ends on September 30, and increases from $400 to $600 per person after that date.

Hosted by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) the conference will be held at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Florida, U.S.A. This is the first time it's been held in the United States.

According to IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser, the purpose of the WRFC is to provide an international forum for the recreational fishing community. An increasing number of representatives from around the globe are registering to attend.

"The list of attendees, participants and presenters, which is limited to 280, is very diverse and includes fisheries scientists and managers, non-governmental organizations, representatives from the tackle industry and recreational anglers interested in the current state and future of recreational fisheries worldwide," said Schratwieser.

The WRFC series was spawned by the First World Angling Conference held in Cap d'Agde, France in 1984. That conference, sponsored by the IGFA attracted 251 registrants from 48 countries. The first WRFC was held in Ireland in 1996, with successive conferences in Canada, Australia and Norway.

Schratwieser, who is also chairing the conference, said the schedule of presentations for the conference is fairly complete.

"We have assembled a program that includes something for almost anyone interested in the management and policy of recreational fisheries. After last month's submission deadline we now have 111 oral presentations to be given by authors hailing from 17 different countries."

He outlined a number of the discussion topics:
Climate change: direct implications for anglers, sport fishing industry, and fisheries managers
Inland and marine protected areas: successes, failures, processes and impacts on recreational fisheries
Sustainable development of recreational fisheries
Community expectations and perceptions: recreational fishing's role in society
Global partnerships in recreational fisheries
Ecosystem based approach to recreational fisheries management
Economic contribution of recreational fisheries to society
"This is truly the only conference of its kind dedicated to international recreational fisheries."
For more information on the conference, the schedule of programs, registration deadlines for hotel rooms, visit the conference website at www.worldrecfish.org or contact Schratwieser directly at 954-924-4320 or jschratwieser@igfa.org.