Tournment 2005 of the Budget Marine Spice Island Billfish Tournament, Grenada

BUDGET MARINE SPICE ISLAND BILLFISH TOURNAMENT

36th BUDGET MARINE SPICE ISLAND BILLFISH TOURNAMENT, JANUARY 21-22, 2005

“BUDGET MARINE SPICE ISLAND BILLFISH TOURNAMENT RAISES EC$30,000 FOR HURRICANE RELIEF FUND”.

83 Anglers fishing on 19 boats enjoyed some great sport fishing during the 36th Budget Marine Spice Island Billfish Tournament (SIBT) held at the Grenada Yacht Club (GYC) on the 21st and 22nd January.

The Boats ready for the Off in GYC

When the fishing was over the Minister of Tourism the right honourable Ms Brenda Hood was presented with a cheque for EC$10,000 from the Spice Island Billfish Tournament, the minister was asked to direct this money towards the education sector of the hurricane relief fund. In addition Mr. Bernard Johnson of the boat “Grey Ghost” presented a further donation for US$5,000 on behalf of the St Lucia Game fishing Association, Bernard asked that this money be used to provide a house for someone who lost theirs during Hurricane Ivan.

The Rt. Hon. Brenda Hood accepts the cheque from Richard McIntyre

The Martinique Game Fishing Association made a further donation of US$2,000. Several boats who won cash prizes returned the money and asked that it too be donated towards the relief fund. This donation totalled EC$2,000. Minister Hood thanked the Tournament and the anglers for their contributions and pledged that the Governments support for the SIBT would continue into the future.

Program of Events for 2005

The generosity of game fishermen from neighbouring islands should come as no surprise to most Grenadians - the first boats to arrive in Grenada carrying aid after hurricane Ivan were Sport-fishing boats, from Trinidad, Tobago, Barbados, St Vincent, St Lucia and Martinique.

After Ivan had badly damaged the Grenada Yacht Club building the BMSIBT committee were doubtful if the tournament could go ahead. However after discussions with the game fishing associations of neighbouring islands everybody agreed that they were determined that it would be held and that the opportunity would be taken to raise funds for the hurricane relief fund. The associations from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia and Martinique donated the prizes. Boats from all of these islands as well as Grenada participated in the reduced two day competition. This year no marlin or sailfish were allowed to be bought to the scale, instead points were awarded for catching and releasing these fish.

Last years winning boat “Too Re-Joyce” from Canada made a special journey to return and re-enter the tournament but unfortunately due to other commitments was unable to stay and defend their title - they asked that their entry fee be used as a donation instead. This was readily agreed to by the BMSIBT committee.

After the Bimini start the first days fishing saw several boats catching and releasing sailfish and blue marlin whilst others had good catches of wahoo. “Grey Ghost” fought a blue marlin for over 3 hours before releasing it - they were not sure who was more tired - the angler or the fish! The second day produced less billfish but this was compensated by exceptional yellowfin tuna action. Many of these 100lb+ tunas were caught close to whales, which were feeding in the area. In total 12 sailfish and 4 blue marlin were caught and released, plus 15 wahoo, 16 yellowfin tuna and 2 dolphin fish were landed.

At the awards ceremony and closing dinner held on the beach at the Grenada yacht Club the results were as follows:

First Place Boat