Cliff fishing derby returns to Tinian

After leaving a number of boatless local fishermen up a cliff without a paddle for the last couple of years, the 10th Tinian Municipal Council, in association with the Marianas Visitors Authority, and the Office of the Mayor of Tinian is bringing back the Great Tinian Cliff Fishing Derby next month.

Beginning on Friday, April 8, and continuing through to Sunday, April 10, fishermen will sit atop their lofty perch in search of a variety of fish from Puntan to Fleming Point, and according to a press release from managing director of the MVA Vicky Benevente, the call for the tournament was too loud to ignore.

“Due to popular demand from fishing enthusiasts, this year’s event promises a bigger and more exciting tournament with preparations underway opening additional derby sites to accommodate, reunite and rehash fishing tales from veteran anglers as well as welcome newcomers into this beloved sport,” she said.

While planning to make this tournament the finest in recent history, officials are focusing upon the concerns of years past by improving the size, scope, and sanitation of the event.

“For our tournament we have opened up five designated fishing sites to accommodate the larger number of participants we are anticipating this year: Puntan Diablo, South Dumpcoke, Target, Masalok Point, and Fleming Point. Furthermore, as one of the largest concerns raised after the fishing derby three years ago was the improper disposal of refuse and broken fishing lines, this year’s derby will reflect a more environmentally responsible theme,” said Tinian Municipal Council chairman Edwin P. Aldan.

Though all of the details are yet to be released, the winner of the Biggest Fish Category will take home $1,000 in cash, while the second and third place finishers will reel in $500 and $300, respectively.

The top three finishers of the Total Weight and Most Variety categories also stand to take home an assortment of cash and in-kind prizes.

The Tinian Municipal Council organized the event, with support from the Tinian Mayor’s Office and local businesses, in keeping with the MVA’s 2005 sports tourism destination promotional efforts to lure more visitors through events such as this, which is beginning to generate quite a stir with inquiries from cliff fishing enthusiasts.

To register for the derby, participants must submit their $35 entrance fee no later than the Friday, April 1, deadline.

For more information about the derby, contact Alex Sandbergen with the 10th Tinian Municipal Council by calling 433-3470/ 2002, Ellen Ikehara with the Tinian office of the MVA by calling 433-9365, or Ed Diaz with the Saipan office of the MVA by calling 664-3271/ 3200.

Further information is available online at either www.tinianonline.com by clicking on The Great Tinian Cliff Fishing Derby, or at the MVA website at www.mymarianas.com.