Big prizes for Marlin Tournament

PORT ANTONIO, Portland

Twelve boats are competing for various prizes in the Mayberry

Investments-sponsored Superstars of Port Antonio Blue Marlin Tournament, which climaxes today with a prize-giving and awards ceremony at the Errol Flynn Marina.

So far, a total of nine marlins has been tagged and released over two days of gruelling competition involving anglers from Jamaica, Honduras, and the Cayman Islands. They are vying for prize-money amounting to approximately $3 million.

Tournament Director and Chief Executive Office (CEO) Robert Stewart said that he is encouraged by the turnout of anglers, despite the last-minute decision to host the tournament. A final decision was delayed until the last minute.

“Once again I must commend all our sponsors who have decided to stick with us, even though I wasn’t certain that I would be able to stage the tournament for this year, due to some personal issues,” commented Stewart.

“In the end I now realise that it was a good decision to stage the tournament, and I promise that next year it is going to be bigger and better. As a matter of fact, the anglers insisted that we had to stage this year’s tournament even though I was caught up in other matters. So due to the delay, we had some cancellations, but it is still a good turnout,” he added.

According to Stewart, Mayberry Investments, which is the title sponsor of the Superstars of Port Antonio Blue Marlin Tournament, has once again re-committed their interest and full support for the tournament, which he said is comforting news going forward.

“Game fishing is our business and that is why special emphasis is placed on tagging and releasing as it relates to our anglers. But this tournament has also provided employment to the local people of Portland during our four days of engagement in Port Antonio. Supermarket operators, gift shops, night clubs, local bars, the food market, craft market, and even the jelly-man on the street continue to earn much needed income,” Stewart concluded.

And for Chris Berry of Mayberry Investments, their involvement in the tournament is strategic and that it has been reaping results.