Bisbee's Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fund Formed

DALLAS, Aug. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayne Bisbee, longtime president of the famous Bisbee's Black & Blue Fishing Tournaments, today announced the formation of Bisbee's Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fund. As one of its first acts, the fund – a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dedicated to conserving, restoring and managing fish, wildlife and their associated habitats through science, education and technology – has embarked on a strategic partnership with the Morani River Ranch in South Texas.

"I grew up around the family tournament and have developed a passion for fish and wildlife, so I'm excited to start this new endeavor," said Bisbee, the Fund's president. "The entire team and I are dedicated to making this a transparent, responsible and accountable organization. Our philosophy is that there is no solution to this worldwide conservation problem that doesn't include humans."

Bisbee has already brokered a strategic partnership with the Morani River Ranch, a 3,000-acre game spread along Texas' Nueces River that is home to one of the world's largest collections of exotic and endangered species. Dedicated to the preservation and proliferation of wildlife and its habitat, the Morani has participated with other Texas ranches and the Exotic Wildlife Association in creating Source Populations – breeding groups that produce enough offspring to be self-sustaining – and returning these species to their native habitats.

"Wayne and I share the same love for animals and philosophy about conservation, so this is a natural partnership for us," said Kevin Reid, owner of Morani River Ranch, which has been involved in the propagation of several different endangered and threatened species since Reid started the ranch in 2001. "Together, Bisbee's and Morani will work together with other like-minded conservation groups to repopulate areas where native wildlife have all but disappeared for a host of reasons."

In addition to work with Morani River Ranch, Bisbee's Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fund is focusing on several other global initiatives, including the creation of the Nkwe Tactical Training Academy in South Africa, an anti-rhino-poaching training base for local field rangers. Two other early projects are designed to help the migratory pelagic fish species of the world:

• The update of The Billfish Foundation's tagging program to be compatible with the latest smartphone technology
• The International Game Fish Association's satellite tag program, which employs the most advanced tagging system available

About Bisbee's Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fund

Bisbee's Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fund, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation that adheres to the Texas Business Organizations Code and is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Under its organizational charter through the state of Texas, the Bisbee's Fund engages in animal causes including education; the prevention of the extinction of species of animals; and the conservation and management of threatened species, both biologically and socioeconomically.

The fund works hand in hand with other conservation groups to advance conservation research. The fund also supports environmental causes and helps teach trades and skills to people in subjects related to the environment and animal conservation so they can develop marketable skills to earn a living. For more information, visit bisbeesconservationfund.org.

SOURCE Bisbee’s Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fund