Before 1939 there was no universal code of sporting ethics to guide ocean angling pursuits. Some rules pertaining to sporting conduct were in effect at certain established fishing clubs, but they varied according to the dictates of each club. A worldwide association of marine anglers had been brewing for some time in Australia and in the United States, and the first steps in this direction were taken in the 1930's by members of the British Tunny Club, who hoped to establish headquarters in Englandto formulate rules for ethical angling. The threat of war, however, put paid to these plans.
At the same time, Micheal Lerner was organising and expedition to the waters of Australia and New Zealand in conjunction with the American Musem of Natural History in New York. He heard of the British Tunny Club's plan and when he arrived in Australia he looked up one of the angler's, Clive Firth, to discuss the idea with him. He was aware of the angling feats of Californians, Florida Islanders and others. He felt that others would accept American judgement as sporting and that Americans should be the ones to devise these ethical angling rules.
Dr. William King Gregory, head of the Department of Ichthyology and Comparitive Anatomy at the American Museum of Natural History, also was a member of the Australia-New Zealand expedition. He was particularly enthusiastic about the idea of a worldwide sport fishing association headquartered in the United States, and immediately suggested that it might be possible to affiliate such an organisation to the musem. His interest in such a association and the information it could provide to scientists was the beginning of IFGA's lasting connection with scientist and institutions.
Letters were written to outstanding anglers, fishing clubs and tackle manufacturers, obtaining opinions ragarding the formation of an international association of marine angling clubs. The response was highly favourable and on 7 June 1939, the International Game Fish Association was formally launched. One of the immediate tasks was to notify scientific institutions and fishing clubs around the world about IFGA, its activities and intentions. By 1948 there were IGFA representatives in 41 areas of the world.
IGFA Headquarters have changed location a number of times since, in the late 1950's IGFA moved from New York to Florida, first to Miami, then in 1967 to Fort Lauderdale, in 1992 to Pompano Beach, and in 1999 to the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Musem in Dania Beach.
