FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Erin Kenna

Public/Media Relations Manager

228-388-2993

erin@gulfcoast.org

Biloxi Boat Captains Honored with Legendary Captains and Crew Awards

Mississippi Gulf Coast – Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast is proud to share that local Captains Jay Trochesset, Kenny Barhanovich, Adam Ladnier and First Mate Alex Soto have earned distinguished wins in Florida during the Billfish Foundation and International Game Fish Association (IGFA) ceremonies.

“Our waters are integral to the history and culture of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and we’re proud to be able to extend the expertise of our incredible charter boat captains to visitors and locals alike,” said Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast Executive Director Renee Areng.

Trochesset and Barhanovich have been awarded the Tommy Gifford Award, or Legendary Captains and Crew Award. This is an impressive feat distinguished by providing leadership and earning the respect of their peers, thus making a meaningful contribution to the sport of recreational angling over an extended period of time.

Only six captains of the 200 nominated worldwide were selected for the Award in 2016. The two have more than a century of combined charter boat fishing experience between them, and their efforts in helping restore the region after multiple natural disasters also contributed to their wins. They are the first captains from the northern Gulf of Mexico to be inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame.

Ladnier and Soto received top honors for tagging the most white marlin during the 2015 Billfish Foundation’s Gulf tagging competition.

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Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast is an organization charged with promoting South Mississippi as a tourism and convention destination worldwide.  Its mission centers on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure, convention, sports and business visitors to the area. It is dedicated to maximizing the travel and tourism industry for South Mississippi.