SFA casts letters for Mahi Mahi tournament

The Saipan Fisherman’s Association is continuing its efforts to host the inaugural Mahi Mahi Tournament next month by sending out a number of letters to local businesses and government offices to reel in support for their latest event.

Organizers have begun sending letters to the Saipan Mayor’s Office, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Marianas Visitors Authority, Saipancell Communications, Civil Defense, Department of Land and Natural Resources, American Memorial Park, Department of Public Safety’s Boating Section, and more to get the first-time tournament off and running.

Fishermen from points throughout the Pacific are invited to participate in the inaugural event, as the hunt for the monster mahi begins on Saturday, April 9, at 6am when anglers have 11 hours to reel in as many of the fish as they can.

The prizes will include $1,500 for the Biggest Fish, with $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third. The boat that yields the heaviest total weight stands to net $1,000, while the boat that reels in the greatest number of mahi mahi will sail away with $1,000.

To participate, each three-person boat crew must submit an entry fee of $100, with a cost of $25 per additional angler, and registration will be on Friday, April 8, between the hours of 4:30pm-6:30pm at Smiling Cove Marina.

In keeping with the SFA’s emphasis on safety, all boats must be inspected by tournament officials and signed off prior to departure from the launching ramps at either Sugar Dock in Chalan Kanoa (6am-8am), Saipan Fishing Basin Dock in Garapan (6am-8am), and the Smiling Cove Marina in Garapan (6am and up).

Boats may depart from any of the three designated launching ramps, but must check in at the Official Weigh Station at the Smiling Cove Marina in order for the catch to qualify.

All fish must be certified by the official tournament weighmaster in order to qualify for prizes, and each boat may win only one prize per category. A single craft may not win both first and second place in the Biggest Fish Category; however it will be eligible to be included in Biggest Fish, Total Weight and Total Pieces Categories.

Tournament officials said that more details would be provided later. If you are interested in further information about the Saipan Fishermen’s Association or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Martin F. Duenas at 664-3200/3201 or Wolf Mojica at 234-6615.