Sport Fishing ignored for too long – Dr Pickering
The Minister for Labour and Natural Resources expressed a desire to ensure that it was very obvious that the Government was serious about its commitment to the fishing industry.
He emphasised the importance of the sport fishing industry to the Virgin Islands at a recent press conference held in Purcell Estate and sought to reiterate this. In fact, he said, “what I attempted to do there was to ensure that the fishermen understand that they must take ownership of the sport fishing industry.”
In an attempt to add clarity, he noted there was a misconception among fishermen that sport fishing belonged to persons in possession of a ‘rich boat taking out visitors to go on fishing [expeditions].’ What he felt needed to be emphasised, was that “sport fishing simply means a person who wants to go fishing for recreational purposes.”
Dr Pickering further related that for too long, sport fishing seemed to have been separate and apart from the normal fishing industry.
“Even somebody who has a small boat and does bottom fishing just off the reef… can in fact, be involved in sport fishing… all they have to do is have the boat presentable, secure [and] safe.”
He strove to get local fishermen to understand and appreciate more than anything else, that sport fishing is something that they as fishermen must be able to be a part of and not leave to someone else.
According to the Deputy Premier, fishermen should no longer be concerned about the marketing aspect with regard to fishing for recreational purposes or when their fish are caught under other circumstances.
“The fishing complex is now equipped and ready to accept any fish and any amount of fish that is available for sale,” Dr Pickering disclosed.
Wahoo Fishing Tournament
Meanwhile, Mr Verne Wheatley described wahoo fishing as one of the most sought after types of sport fishing in the land adding that when fishermen land a wahoo, they were then in the ‘big league’.
The Wahoo Madness 2013 fishing tournament, part of the Fisherman’s Jamboree which is now in its 17th year, opens on March 29, 2013 at Fischer’s Cove in Virgin Gorda.
Wheatley said the event is in line with international game fishing event rules and regulations and disclosed that persons enquire about the event year round.
He concurred with the Minister’s stance on having locals involved in sport fishing and felt it was an important issue. “It’s no longer just fun thing,” Wheatley stated, “it’s serious business… It’s big business and we have to take advantage… the fact that we have some of the most fishing [grounds] in our waters, is good reason for us to utilise it.”
Registrants have come from St Marteen, St Thomas, Puerto Rico in addition to local fishermen. The entry fee is $400 for four (4) rods and with a maximum of six (6) rods allowed per boat; additional rods come at a cost of $100 per extra rod.
The tournament previously recorded a total of twenty-one (21) boats at its largest ever event.
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