Oil threat cancels two Destin fishing tournaments (PHOTOS)

The uncertain oil outlook for the Emerald Coast has forced organizers to scrap to upcoming fishing tournaments in Destin.

Claudia Espenscheid, founder of the well known lady angler’s organization Fishin’ Chix, announced their 5th annual Pink Rubber Boots Ladies Fishing Rodeo scheduled for August 21 at HarborWalk Village, will be canceled due to BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil situation.

 “It is unfortunate that we had to make the decision to cancel the fishing tournament,” said Espenscheid. “However, given all the realities of the impact of the oil spill, we were left with no choice. With much of the Gulf’s fishing waters closed, as well as the fact that many of the captains and boats we would have hired in Destin are now working for BP as vessels of opportunity, the chances for a successful tournament have been diminished.”

Espenscheid’s Fishin’ Chix boasts over 2,000 members, 11,000 Facebook fans, and a fashionable fishing apparel line.  The “Pink Rubber Boots Ladies Fishing Rodeos” have been branded as the largest women’s in-shore fishing series in the country. The tournaments serve as a philanthropic vehicle to support Covenant Hospice and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.

“This is a stressful time for our region, and I encourage our supporters and members to persevere with Fishin’ Chix as we deal with the ramifications of history’s largest man-made environmental catastrophe,” said Espenscheid. “Plans will be announced soon as we undertake initiatives that our membership can engage in to help the Gulf coast region’s sea life.”

For further information, contact Fishin’ Chix at  www.FishinChix.com or call (850) 916-4444.

Meanwhile, after careful evaluation and review of the most current NOAA Federal Fisheries closure areas, the Destin Swordfish Tournament officials have deemed it necessary to cancel the 2010 Destin Swordfish Shootout, which was set for this coming weekend.

 “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the sponsors, boat captains, owners, and angling teams who have supported us through this time and we look forward to seeing everyone back next year,” a release states.  “Please mark your calendars for next year's Destin Swordfish Tournament on July 7-9, 2011.”

For more information and the latest tournament updates, visit our website at www.destinswordfishshootout.com or contact Erik Anderson at Legendary Marine at 850-337-8300. To read about last year's tournament and see the winning fish, click here.

The cancellations come less than a week after the Destin Fishing Rodeo declared that the October tournament will go on as planned.