Iloilo girds up for 1st Pamunit fishing tournament

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International and local long line fishing enthusiasts will vie in the 1st Iloilo International Fishing Competition on May 18-19, 2013 along the Iloilo and Guimaras Strait.

Department of Tourism Regional director Helen Catalbas said the tournament to start and end at the Anhawan Beach Resort in Oton, Iloilo is expected to bring in not only fish anglers but also tourists to witness the international event and see the rich marine resources and tourism potentials of southern Iloilo.

A memorandum of agreement was signed on Thursday, May 2, 2013 between the DOT and Pamunit Festival Association Inc. headed by Manuel "Bong" Sanagustin regarding the Rules and Regulation on bottom fishing and trolling categories governing the fishing competition.

Catalbas said the two-day fishing tournament will show-off sports fishing as well as recreation fishing and propel the coastal areas of Oton and the Iloilo Strait as as rich fishing ground and sports fishing arena.

Bottom fishing category will have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 participants a team in one pump boat. Venue for fishing is at the Oton fishing sanctuary declared by the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Marine species not qualified as a catch are sharks and rays and its sub species, crustacean and mollusk, marine mammals such as dolphins and whales, eels, puffer fish or butete and jelly fish.

Fish trolling category will have two anglers for each pumpboat and the fishing area is within the Iloilo and Guimaras Strait not to exceed Guisi area in Guimaras.

Registration fees include P3,500 for bottom fishing and P4,500 for fish trolling that covers bait and lunch for two days. All anglers will have monofilament lines with only one fishing rod and single hook allowed. By Lydia C. Pendon

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