FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby

Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
201 Sterling Highway
Homer, AK 99603
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2012
Contact: Monte Davis, 306-6788
Jenny Evans, 727-2585
Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby Announces Major Changes
and Huge Prizes for Tagged Fish for 2012
More focus on conservation and released fish
The Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center today announced a
partnership with GCI and Stanley Ford in Kenai for the 2012 Homer Jackpot Halibut
Derby. GCI will offer derby entrants the opportunity to catch “The GCI $50,000 Tagged
Fish,” the largest tagged fish cash prize ever offered in Alaska. Stanley Ford in Kenai
will offer “The Stanley Ford of Kenai Ford F-150 Tagged Fish.”
“We’re excited about these two new partnerships,” said Monte Davis, Homer
Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center Executive Director. “The addition of these
prize opportunities will make our derby more popular than ever and offer a chance for
people of all fishing skills the chance to truly win big.”
Previously a “big fish” derby, the 26 year old Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby has
changed this year’s tournament format in an effort to be proactively conservation minded.
The derby historically offered monthly prizes for the four largest fish and a grand prize at
the end of the season for the largest fish.
“With halibut stocks declining, it has been obvious for a few years that we needed
to make changes,” said Davis. “We can no longer offer those prizes in good conscience.
We feel as though we are encouraging people who caught a fish larger than 75 pounds to
keep it for entry into the derby. We know now that those are the most prolific breeding
stock and it’s time for us to be leaders in encouraging measures that enhance future
generations.”
- more -
Beginning in 2012, the derby will offer monthly prizes for released fish only. Any
derby ticket holder who releases a fish over 50 pounds, which is witnessed by a captain
or other derby participant, will have their names entered into a drawing for a $1,000
monthly prize. Additionally, prizes valued at $250 will be drawn monthly for members
of the military (active or veterans) and senior citizens (55 and over). Also, for the first
time this year, all tagged fish from previous years are worth $100 in “Homer Bucks” to
derby ticket holders. Homer Bucks can be redeemed at any Homer Chamber of
Commerce & Visitor Center member business for goods and services. Finally, at the end
of the season, one cash prize of $5,000 will be drawn from all released fish entrants
throughout the year, a Kids prize (yet to be determined) will be drawn from all kids
tickets purchased throughout the year, a $5,000 prize will be drawn from ALL derby
entrants throughout the year and a grand prize of $10,000 will be awarded for the largest
fish in 2012. There are literally thousands of ways entrants can win!
The Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby is the largest and longest running Jackpot Derby
in Alaska. The 2012 derby will begin May 15, 2012 and end September 15, 2012.
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