GAME FISHING TOURNAMENT OFF TO A GREAT START

The Republic Bank 2023 Sir Charles Williams International Fishing Tournament has officially started.

Fishing vessels from Barbados, Martinique, Grenada, and St. Lucia moved off from Port St. Charles yesterday (April 12) as the event got under way.

Minister of the Environment and National Beautification, Adrian Forde, and Chief Fisheries Officer, Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, were among those aboard Reel Freedom to observe the competition, and participate in some fishing activities.

After a day at sea, Minister Forde described the experience as “an exciting one”. “Game fishing is another aspect of our ability to be able to sustain the industry in the whole maritime space.

“It speaks to what we are doing as part of our marine spatial plan, the way we demarcate our ocean, so we can have full benefits and full economic potential,” he said.

Minister of the Environment and National Beautification, Adrian Forde, showing his dolphin catch on Day 1 of the Republic Bank 2023 Sir Charles Williams International Game Fishing Tournament

Noting that boats from various countries were participating in the event, which resulted in a number of visitors to the island, he gave local fishermen the assurance that it would not interfere with their regular trade.

Rather, he said, it was about partnerships as it provided a boost for tourism and allowed for the sustainable development of livelihoods. “It is a new dimension that is taking place in our country,” he said.

Mr. Forde paid homage to pioneer of the event, the late Sir Charles Williams, who was instrumental in ensuring that game fishing became “the new normal in Barbados”.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cox commended the Barbados Game Fishing Association for what she described as a world-class event. She added that it also provided an opportunity for them to see the Fish Aggregating Devices first-hand.

“This is the beginning of a partnership with us and the game fishing community, and we look forward to supporting future events,” she said. 

Twenty-four boats are participating in the tournament, which will climax on Saturday, April 15, when the participants will haul in their catches and tally the number of fish released into the ocean.