250kg-plus catch to land K100,000 for angler

THANKS to Bank South Pacific the first angler to land a marlin over 250kg in thisd year’s National Game Fishing Titles in Port Moresby in April will also land a massive K100,000 prize money courtesy of BSP.
BSP chief executive officer Ian Clyne when announcing the sponsorship yesterday said BSP was pleased to again sponsor the prize money which it had provided for the category since 2006.
“I am pleased to confirm that BSP will again sponsor a prize of K100,000 for the first marlin weighing 250kg-plus,” Clyne said.
He revealed that ever since BSP had put this prize up for grabs, to date, no one has ever been able to lure in the big catch.
 “I would like to see someone do it this year,” he said.
Clyne explained that for this whopper of a prize anglers had to abide by International Game Fishing Association rules, in relation to tackle and style of fishing.
“Any marlin species is acceptable, that is, blue, black, striped and broadbill and the catch are to be weighed on Port Moresby Game Fishing Club certified scales,” Clyne said.
Tournament director Bob O’Dea thanked BSP for continuing its support and was pleased that corporate sponsorship to stage the event and for the various prizes had been positive.
He said: “If anyone would want to land such a huge fish, it would be here in the waters of Port Moresby as he is the only one to have caught 388kg marlin back in 2003.
“There has been a good level of sponsorship for the event and I appreciate corporate sponsors such as BSP for supporting the event,” he said.
O’Dea said preparations for this major sporting event was fairing well and the organising committee epected a good turnout and for the event to be bigger and better.  
The national titles have evolved into a unique game fishing tournament in the region’s game fishing calendar.
The prestigious event to be hosted by the Port Moresby Game Fishing Club from the April 16–25 is expected to attract up to 250 local anglers and around  30 international anglers from the region.