Relief Funds Headed to Louisiana in Wake of Hurricane Ida

Relief Funds Headed to Louisiana in Wake of Hurricane Ida
Funds from the Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund (WARF) to assist charter fleet after Hurricane Ida

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) announced today that it is partnering with the Louisiana Charter Boat Association (LCBA) to distribute an initial round of relief funding from the Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund (WARF) to the recreational fishing industry in wake of Hurricane Ida.

The LCBA announced on Friday, September 24, 2021, that they have opened the process to apply for relief funding. The application process will remain open until Sunday, October 10, 2021. Once the applications have been received, they will be vetted and approved by the LCBA. Based on the number of approved applications, the IGFA and its partners in the WARF will determine the appropriate amount of funds to be distributed. For more information on how to apply for funding, please visit: louisianacharterhelp.com.

“Hurricane Ida and the wake of destruction it left continue to impact the lives of captains, guides, lodges and outfitters in coastal Louisiana,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “This incredible fishery is rich in angling culture and is widely considered as a top destination for both inshore and offshore fishing. We are excited to work with the LCBA to ensure that these funds get into the right hands, and help get these captains back on the water.”

The IGFA and its partners at Costa Sunglasses created the WARF in September 2017 to provide financial support to charter captains, guides, and crewmembers of the recreational angling community in the wake of major natural disasters. To date, the WARF has disbursed a total of $140,000 to recreational angling associations in the Florida Keys, Texas, Puerto Rico, Florida Panhandle and The Bahamas to help local captains and guides recover from natural disasters.

“We are once again proud to work alongside the IGFA and others to provide this much-needed support to those impacted by Hurricane Ida,” said Costa Conservation & Community Partnerships Manager Joe Gugino. “The WARF was established to help those within our angling family get back on the water, and we are excited to be doing just that with this initial distribution.”

Following the storm, there was an outpouring of support to the WARF from its founding partners at Costa Sunglasses, industry leader and corporate partner AFTCO, the Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation, and numerous private donors. The IGFA thanks all of those who made a contribution to this important cause and we are committed to see the fund reach those who are trulyl in need of support at this time.

“With the devastation of Hurricane Ida impacting the coastal communities of Louisiana, AFTCO x Marsh Wear took a quick initiative to support these communities by generating funds through our Louisiana Guide Relief Day effort,” said AFTCO Marketing Director Matt Florentino.  “We’re extremely proud that our community driven initiative raised a significant sum of money for the WARF to provide support for the Louisiana fishing community.”

“The Jose Webeje Memorial Foundation was created in honor of legendary angler Jose Wejebe,” said Executive Director of the Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation Krissy Wejebe. “Jose was a man that always helped those in need.  After a devastating storm like Hurricane Ida there is no doubt Jose would have been done whatever he could to help those in need, and that is why we are proud to support the WARF efforts in Louisiana.”

The LCBA was founded in 1994 and is the non-profit trade association tasked with protecting and promoting the Louisiana charter-for-hire industry. In addition to LCBA’s state and federal political advocacy and marketing and promotion efforts, LCBA also encourages high standards of conservationism and professionalism among Louisiana’s charter fleet. The hundreds of licensed and insured Louisiana charter captains that make up LCBA’s membership have provided LCBA the opportunity to successfully become a unified and respected voice representing the best interests of Louisiana charter captains.

“LCBA, its board and its members are incredibly thankful and grateful that IGFA, Costa Sunglasses, AFTCO, the Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation and others have utilized the philanthropic arm of WARF to assist Louisiana charter captains in our time of need,” said LCBA Executive Director Richard Fischer. “Hurricane Ida may be the strongest and most destructive hurricane to ever hit coastal Louisiana, but thanks in large part to our generous friends, the Louisiana charter fleet will soon return to providing once-in-a-lifetime fishing experiences to members of the public.”

To make a direct, tax deductible contribution to the WARF, please go to https://igfa.org/world-anglers-relief-fund-warf/, or purchase a Costa t-shirt in support of recovery efforts at onecoast.net. The IGFA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.