| The USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament is one of the most prestigious
fishing event in the world! The USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament,
was started in 1972 by Chuck Senf. Senf and fellow sports fishermen created
this tournament as a vehicle to spread the word about the Blue Marlin fishery
in the Virgin Islands. In addition, part of the money generated by the tournament
was donated to benefit the Virgin Islands Council of the Boy Scouts of America,
one of Senf's favorite charities. The USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament
has since been informally known as the "Boy Scout" Tournament.
Over the next several years, as the originators of the tournament became
less active,a new generation of volunteers took over and infused fresh ideas.
The major goal of the tournament during this transition time, was to create
a competition that would attract both the local fishermen and the visiting
anglers from the continental United States.
Concurrent with the transition in the tournaments leadership in the late
l970's, was the ABMT's development of the "modified release" format, a scoring
method that enables anglers to either boat or release their catchs. Subsequently,
the USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament became the first sports fishing
event in the world to release Blue Marlin. Basically, 400 points are awarded
for any blue marlin hooked and released which weigh 400 pounds or less.
Additional points are scored for boated blue marlin weighing over 400 pounds.
However, zero points are scored for boated blue marlin weighing less than
400 pounds.
To construct a tournament that the Florida, as well as local fishermen, would
be sufficiently enticed to enter, necessitated a precise set of rules. In
addition to the basic, International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) rules,
the tournament director began writing a special set of regulations which
would tighten and expand on those proffered by IGFA.
Today, in the 2000's, the tournament's goal has refocused once again. This
time, it is to construct a tournament which will be the premiere sports fishing
event in the world. The Virgin Islands is an ideal location for hosting a
world class fishing tournament because of the abundance of blue marlin.
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The Maryland Sportfishing Tournament
Jan 1 - Dec 31 '04
Fishing means so many things to anglers and a reminder of a lasting memory
is a welcome item for many to rekindle a special catch. The Department of
Natural Resources has created a tournament program that educates, recognizes
anglers and promotes recreational fishing opportunities in Maryland. The
program offers citations for outstanding catches of most species of fish
in Maryland waters, whether the angler chooses to keep their catch of practice
Catch & Release. Anglers who are new to the sport of recreational fishing
can also receive a "My First Fish" citation. Questions regarding the Maryland
Sport Fishing Tournament should be directed to Keith Lockwood at 1-877-620-8DNR
ext. 8255 or via e-mail at customerservice@dnr.state.md.us.
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