Thought this posting might interest a few of you...

Kind regards,

Jen
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FYI- Please respond directly to Alison Cross at WWF or SmartGear website!
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Hello,

Organizers of the 2007 International SmartGear Competition thought you (or someone you know) might have an innovative idea for reducing fisheries bycatch - and would appreciate winning $30,000 for it!

WWF and its partners created the SmartGear Competition to inspire innovative, practical, cost-effective ideas that allow fishermen to "fish smarter" – to better target their intended catch while reducing bycatch.  The competition awards cash prizes for the best idea to reduce bycatch, which is the leading threat to many marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds, and certain fish species.
 
The 2007 International SmartGear Competition will award a $30,000 Grand Prize and two $10,000 Runner-Up Prizes.
 
Entry Deadline: July 31, 2007
 
The competition is open to all – fishermen, gear manufacturers, teachers, students, engineers, scientists, and backyard inventors.   
 
Please visit www.smartgear.org for entry materials and to learn about the winning ideas from the first two competitions.    

Also, please forward this e-mail to help us spread the word about the competition.  Thank you!

Alison Cross
Program Associate - Fisheries
World Wildlife Fund
California Marine Office
171 Forest Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650.323.3504
alison.cross@wwfus.org

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Jennifer L. Palmer
Marine Program Officer, Global Marine Programme
IUCN - The World Conservation Union
1630 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC  20009-1053
Tel: 202.518.2070
Fax: 202.387.4823
Email: jpalmer@iucnus.org