The Malta Fishing Forum (MFF) is once again organising its annual fishing/trolling competition, but unlike past editions, it has decided to step up efforts by upgrading the event’s size.

This year the Malta Fishing Forum has teamed up with the Federation Sajjieda Dilettanti Maltin. To mark this year’s first ever Oris Big Game National Tournament, the organisation has also decided to include a philanthropic element. This decision stems from their goal to “put something back” into the local community, especially to children in need, through the practice of their preferred sport.

The Malta Fishing Forum has chosen the Puttinu Cares Foundation, a children’s cancer support group, as the beneficiary of proceeds from the event.

The MFF and the Federation’s underlying objectives in organising this event revolve around bringing together the local recreational fishing community, their families and friends, raising awareness of the sport, conservation and sportsmanship; but most importantly to disseminate information and raise funds for The Puttinu Cares Foundation. In order to make this possible, the MFF is calling upon as many stakeholders as possible to pledge their assistance in any way they can.

At the outset, they presented plans for the event to His Excellency Dr. George Abela,, President of the Republic of Malta, and have been honoured by his patronage.

All proceeds from this initiative, sponsor donations, tournament entry fees and income from advertisements in a high quality magazine which will be issued in May to commemorate the event, will be donated to the Puttinu Cares Foundation.

About Malta Fishing Forum

The Malta Fishing Forum was created in 2006 to address the growing needs for an online community dedicated to fishing around Malta. The site together with the Discussion Forum caters for a diverse range of fishing styles, from inshore angling and spear fishing to offshore game fishing. Whether it’s Albacore, Amberjack, Dorado (Lampuki), rod fishing or spear fishing, the forum has it all. The forums’ objectives are to create an online community within a friendly and relaxed atmosphere discussing various fishing techniques, whilst at the same time promoting awareness of conservation. Forum membership has now reached the 1937 mark; all local recreational fishermen.

http://www.maltafishingforum.com/

The Oris National Big Game Tournament 2011

Following the success of past events such as last year, when 57 different boats/teams competed for top-honours, the forum has now extended the event make it the first ever Big Game National Tournament to be held in Malta. It is expected that this year the number of boats taking part will increase considerably.

The tournament is open to all Maltese recreational offshore fishermen. It will be held on Sunday, 26 June, on the west coast of Malta. The Tournament start time is 5.30am and will end at 3.00pm. All boats will be inspected prior to leaving for the starting point which will be between two cardinal points just off the Marsaxlokk Freeport area. A mandatory pre-tournament briefing will be held on Tuesday 21 June for skippers and anglers taking part in the tournament. During the pre-tournament briefing, a qualified Captain will also deliver a safety briefing.

Permissible catch

This year’s permissible big game catch will include Albacore Tuna (Alonga), Skipjack Tuna (Palamit), Pastardell (Mediterranean Spear Fish), Dolphin Fish (Lampuki) and for the first time ever, with special permission and under the scrutiny the Fisheries Control Division, Swordfish (Pixxispad) will be included. For Swordfish catches, the Fisheries Control Division will temporarily move the designated landing site for this pelagic species to the Birzebbuga jetty, which has been earmarked as the finish point of the tournament.

Tournament awards and prizes

The winner and subsequent tournament placing will be determined by the highest amount of fish caught by each team. If there is a tie between two or more teams then the weight of the catch will be the ultimate determining factor.

Prizes will be awarded to the first 10 placings in the tournament, with a special award for biggest Albacore caught and another special award for biggest fish caught (excluding Albacore).

The prizes to date are as follows:

Tournament winner: Oris ProDiver wrist watch, trophies and vouchers (donated by Jos. Debono Jewellers) 2nd place; Raymarine A70 Digital VChartplotter/GPS complete with med. Maps, trophies and vouchers (donated by RLR Yachting Limited) 3rd place: Okuma Makaira 30W II big game reel, trophies and vouchers (donated by Buona Pesca trading) 4th place: Big Game rod/reel combo (donated by Misterfish) 5th place: Complete set of Mcguiare’s boat care products (donated my JimCam Enterprises) 6th place: Complete set of boat care products (donated by Boat Care Supplies) 7th place: Hummingbird Piranha MAX 150 Fishfinder 8th place; €100 voucher exchangeable for fishing tackle at Buona Pesca trading 9th place: €75 voucher exchangeable for fishing tackle at Buona Pesca trading 10th place: €50 voucher exchangeable for fishing tackle at Buona Pesca trading

All trophies donated by Jos. Debono Jewellers.

Special Awards Biggest Fish caught in Tournament: Lowrance HDS-7 D GPS/fishfinder combo complete with maps (donated by Caruana Marine Centre)

Biggest Alonga caught in Tournament; Lineaeffe Big Game rod and reel combo (donated by Pirotta Fishing centre)

Tournament Participation Fee

The tournament participation fee is €35 per boat with a maximum of three persons on board, Any additional personnel on board will be billed at €20 per person. Each participating boat will in return receive free T-Shirts and caps which have to be worn during the tournament, the official tournament flag to be flown by each participating boat, a voucher from Misterfish which entitles the bearer to 15% discount at all Misterfish outlets, and a €30 voucher redeemable at Pirotta Fishing centre when spending €60 or more, therefore entitling the bearer to a 50% discount when spending €60 at the shop.

Awards ceremony and BBQ

The prize giving/awards ceremony will take place on the Saturday following the Tournament. The culmination of this event will be the presentation to The Puttinu Cares Foundation of all the money collected during the full event programme, A BBQ night will compliment the awards ceremony, and this will be held in the picturesque Pretty Bay, Birzebbuga.

Permalink: MFF Big Game National Tournament in aid of Puttinu Cares