In Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, after three days of fishing, the thirty-ninth edition of the Bisbee's Black and Blue fishing tournament concluded. It’s considered the largest fishing tournament in the world, with 4 .5 million dollars in prize money.

Hundreds of fishermen from around the globe came to participate.

Cilcerio Mercado, Tournament Coordinator:  “126 boats, 4 and a half million dollars in prizes, that’s the full bag to distribute; there are 790 fishermen, more or less. People came from Australia, New Zealand, England, United States, 3 Japanese teams, Monterrey, Mexico City… ”

 

Carlos Peralta, Fisherman yacht "Don Luis": "... well, I didn't have much luck, we were pulled by small young marlins, we released 2 or 3 youngsters."

 

First place winner "Tranquillo" team from Costa Rica with a 577 pound blue marlin that earned them 1.4 million dollars. Second and third places took 1.3 and 1.75 million dollars respectively.

The practice of “catch and release” is promoted during this circuit for the conservation of the species and the record-keeping is done on video.

Cilcerio Mercado, Tournament Coordinator: "... we have reached 94% in releases, the famous “catch and release” which is to catch a fish and then release it."

 

Brian, angler from California: We won the “catch and release” division, we fish and released six blue marlins… it's wonderful, yes.”

 

Normally each sport fishing boat leaves an economic benefit of approximately $1,900 dollars.

Enrique Fernández del Castillo: Pdte Billfish Conservation Association: “… every time we have a tournament, the economic benefit goes up 5 times what each vessel leaves per day….”

 

At the completion of this tournament the economic benefit in this tourist destination, Los Cabos, is estimated to be more than twelve million dollars.

For Cabo News Today, Armando Figaredo

Translation by Tony Perez