Second international fishing competition sees local team take top prize |31 March 2007

The event harboured a larger and more diverse field of competitors this year -- five Italian teams, one French team and four Seychellois teams – but it was “Ti Manmzel” led by Michael Mason that won top honours in the competition, while the French “Chilli” team placed second and an Italian father & son duo placed third. The Seychelles Tourism Board-sponsored team “Sea Fever” placed fourth.

The overall catch was not quite as spectacular as the first edition, largely due to warmer waters and the fact that this year the competition was geared around trolling and not bottom fishing.

But there were a few highlight worthy catches however, the biggest by the STB team and its 32.65kg Sailfish. The other two prize catches were 17kg Kingfish (Wahoo) and a 6.40kg Dorado.

Despite a few close calls, no Marlin were reeled in, leaving the competition’s Marlin trophy unclaimed.

A special rule was also set up during this tournament whereby a team that had already caught a Sailfish would have to release all subsequent Sailfish, so as to preserve marine life.

Some eight journalists, hailing from Italy, France and Spain, covered the event and are expected to give Seychelles and its fish-rich waters extensive publicity across both print and television media.

As the first prize winner, “Ti Manmzel” walked away with the revolving trophy, a miniature trophy, a gold medal and Takamaka Bay Rum.

The event was organized by STB and the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) representative for Sardinia and San Remo cap, Capt Paolo Sala, along with Mason’s Travel and Air Seychelles. The event also received support from Marine Charter and the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Hotel, where the prize giving ceremony and gala dinner was held.