Wayne Bisbee, tournament director of Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament, which is held annually off Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, announced a comprehensive aid plan to help the underprivileged residents of Cabo San Lucas recover from Hurricane Odile.
The Category 3 storm came ashore early Monday at the tip of the Baja Peninsula and caused widespread damage. The full extent was still being assessed, but thousands are homeless and in need of immediate aid.
“We’re creating a call to action throughout the global sportfishing family to help those who have suffered so much in this natural disaster,” Bisbee said in a statement. “We’re donating $250,000 in seed money to the Bisbee’s Cabo Relief Fund and ask our generous fellow anglers to help out by donating themselves.”
The money will be routed through Rotary Club International’s Boulder City, Nevada, club.
“We’ve developed a two-prong approach that will really make a difference. In partnership with the non-profit missionary group Club Dust, volunteers will arrive as soon as the airport reopens and start assessing the situation to provide critical shelter, from tent cities to rebuilding homes,” Bisbee said.
In addition to providing critical shelter in Cabo San Lucas in the storm’s aftermath, the second step to recovery is helping sportfishing businesses that the storm directly affected.
“The second prong of our plan is to help the working sportfishing operators get back on the water so they can again earn money and support their families,” Bisbee said. “A portion of the donations will be earmarked to help independently owned charter boats, bait pangas and eco-tourism guides repair their boats and replace lost gear.”
Anyone who wants to make a donation to the Bisbee’s Cabo Relief Fund can visit www.bisbees.com and look for the “Donate” link on the home page.
