BRRC hosts 17th annual Larry Farinetti Fishing Tournament

On Sept. 7, the Back River Restoration Committee held its 17th annual Larrii Farinetti Fishing Tournament at the West Shore Yacht Center in Essex.

Department of Natural Resources regulations on rockfish prompted BRRC to change the event format to a catfish tournament this year. The change was also caused by DNR’s objective to address the invasive and destructive nature of catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The fishing event was a day of friendly competition and community camaraderie. It raised money for BRRC’s operations, including water quality monitoring and community clean up events.

This year, BRRC partnered with a community liaison to donate more than 800 pounds of catfish to local churches and families. BRRC also manages the 695 trash boom, which has collected roughly 6.5 million pounds of trash since its inception in 2011.

“It was just so great having all of these anglers donate these fish to such deserving folks!” said Desiree Greaver, BRRC’s project manager.