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Sport or slaughter

Mon, Jun 7th 2021, 08:43 AM
Environment Tribune Stories

AN environmental activist has slammed the landing of blue marlins in a recent three-day Walker's Cay Invitational deep sea fishing contest.

Sam Duncombe, reEarth’s president, called it “absolutely ludicrous” that the capture of the country’s national fish is allowed in such events, adding these “bloody tournaments” need to stop.
#The invitational took place between May 26-29 at Walker’s Cay. According to the property’s website, the cay is 53 miles to the northeast of West End, Grand Bahama and its “rebirth is underway” thanks to entrepreneur and “marlin fishing enthusiast” Carl Allen.
#The website noted that to participate in the tournament, all teams were required to possess a Bahamas fishing permit. The tournament rules also stated that blue marlin were eligible for catch and release or eligible for weigh-in “with a minimum 101” LJFL (lower jaw to fork length) measurement requirement, however only one per boat may be killed per fishing day.”
#Gregory Bethel, acting director of the Department of Marine Resources, confirmed it was a permitted activity. Mr Bethel noted the Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations states any billfish, such as marlins or swordfish, caught shall be returned to the sea unharmed except where landed under the terms of an approved sword fishing event or tournament.
#The cay’s official Facebook page posted pictures and videos of the teams catching the country’s national fish and the size of the fish they reeled in. One team was pictured posing and smiling next to a blue marlin hanging upside down.
#“Team Wave Paver, 77’ Baylis, brought in the first blue marlin to the gantry! Congratulations guys, 508 lbs!” the caption read.
#In the comments, the page wrote: “Tournament update! We have released 17 blue marlins, two have been brought to the scales and all of the catch has been donated to our friends at Grand Cay! Teams are battling it out to the finish line for top overall team and largest blue marlin.”
#But in the mix of congratulatory messages were angry individuals upset that anyone is still able to land blue marlin.

Sam Duncombe, reEarth’s president, called it “absolutely ludicrous” that the capture of the country’s national fish is allowed in such events, adding these “bloody tournaments” need to stop.

The invitational took place between May 26-29 at Walker’s Cay. According to the property’s website, the cay is 53 miles to the northeast of West End, Grand Bahama and its “rebirth is underway” thanks to entrepreneur and “marlin fishing enthusiast” Carl Allen.

The website noted that to participate in the tournament, all teams were required to possess a Bahamas fishing permit. The tournament rules also stated that blue marlin were eligible for catch and release or eligible for weigh-in “with a minimum 101” LJFL (lower jaw to fork length) measurement requirement, however only one per boat may be killed per fishing day.”

Gregory Bethel, acting director of the Department of Marine Resources, confirmed it was a permitted activity. Mr Bethel noted the Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations states any billfish, such as marlins or swordfish, caught shall be returned to the sea unharmed except where landed under the terms of an approved sword fishing event or tournament.

The cay’s official Facebook page posted pictures and videos of the teams catching the country’s national fish and the size of the fish they reeled in. One team was pictured posing and smiling next to a blue marlin hanging upside down.

“Team Wave Paver, 77’ Baylis, brought in the first blue marlin to the gantry! Congratulations guys, 508 lbs!” the caption read.

In the comments, the page wrote: “Tournament update! We have released 17 blue marlins, two have been brought to the scales and all of the catch has been donated to our friends at Grand Cay! Teams are battling it out to the finish line for top overall team and largest blue marlin.”

But in the mix of congratulatory messages were angry individuals upset that anyone is still able to land blue marlin.

 

Click here to read more at The Tribune

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