Sunday 18, April-2004

HISTORY will be made on Wednesday when, for the first time, Barbados’ three-day Sagicor/Mount Gay Rum International Game Fishing Tournament starts off the crystal clear waters of Port St Charles.

President of the Barbados Game Fishing Association, David Marshall, told SUNSPORT the move to St Peter was very pleasing since people had previously expressed concerns about congestion at the Bridgetown Careenage, as well as the possibility of damage being done to their fishing boats.

“We’ve had problems with congestion as well as bolt heads sticking out of the side of the wall [at the Careenage] and people are not going to want to put their $2 million boats somewhere to get damaged. That used to hold us back a bit from getting more international boats.

“This year we have 36 boats indicating they are competing but we could end up with at least 40 – the most ever.

“The sport is really growing and has a lot of potential. Sports fishing competition is big business all over the world,” Marshall said.

This year Barbados will be entering 22 fishing boats, ranging between 26 and 60 feet.

Among the local entries are Frank Armstrong and crew on Challenge II, Joe Brooker and his contingent on Gallivanter, Larry Warren on Screaming Eagle, William Tomlin on Caroline Jean and Peter Hunte on Happy Hunter.

Sir Charles Williams is also expected to compete in boat, Never Enough.

Martinique will be sending nine boats, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago are entering two boats each, while there is one entry from Grenada.

Peter Wright, world famous captain and writer for the international fishing magazine, Blue Marlin, will be in Barbados to cover the event. He will also conduct a fishing seminar at Port St Charles on Wednesday.

Marshall said the public was invited and should enter Port St Charles through the south gate.

Prime Minister Owen Arthur is slated to open the tournament, which starts at 6 a.m., and is expected to attract several tourism and sporting officials.

Catches will be measured by marine biologist Dr Hazel Oxenford.

Compliments of Nation News

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