Magee earns PARR Conservation Award

JIM MAGEE

Jim Magee of Port Aransas was awarded the Conservation Award by the Port Aransas Rod and Reel Club (PARR) at its awards banquet on Saturday, July 28.

Also at the banquet, winners in the adult divisions of the annual PARR tournament were awarded trophies.

Each year the club recognizes one of its members for his or her outstanding contributions to conservation efforts related to Port Aransas. Magee was honored for his family's contributions to the education display featuring the Public Broadcasting System "Science and the Sea" series created by Dr. Lee Fuiman, director of The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas (MSI). The display is in the Nueces County park building at the I. B. Magee Beach Park, and is open to the public. The park is named in honor of the late I.B. Magee, Jim Magee's father.

Formed in 1948 by a group of early Texas conservationists, PARR exists to promote the conservation of game fish, and to stimulate and promote interest in game fishing with the lessening of the destruction of game fish and their environment. PARR is an annual contributor to marine research at the MSI and the International Game Fish Association.

The PARR tournament is one of the oldest off shore tournaments to require catch and release of billfish.

This year's tournament drew 29 children and 59 adult member anglers who competed in inshore and offshore divisions. The children anglers were recognized at a Friday evening sunset boat party, while the adult anglers were recognized at a Saturday evening dinner party.

Tournament winners were as follows:

Men's bay fishing division: first, Jack Kidd of Austin and Port Aransas; second, Bill Easum of Port Aransas.

Women's bay division: first, Cheryl Cage of San Antonio and Port Aransas; second, Helen Chaney of San Antonio.

Youth bay division: first, Chelsey Carothers of Houston.

Men's fly fishing division: first, Ben Frishman of Austin and Port Aransas.

No billfish were caught in this year's off shore division.