Marine Resources Assessment for the Marianas Operating ... - SPREP

AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT
In the CNMI, there are four main fishing tournaments: the Saipan International Fishing Tournament, the
Cliff Fishing Derby Tinian, the Cliff Fishing Derby Rota, and the Kids International Fishing Derby Saipan
(Benavente 2004; Micronesia 2005; MyMarianas.com 2005a, 2005b; Tinianonline.com 2005).
The Guam Marianas International Fishing Derby is a two-day event that has happened annually since
1995 (Calvo personal communication; NMFS 2003c). This Derby evolved from the Liberation Day
Tournament which originated in 1976 (Eads 2001). Up to 100 boats take part in the tournament. In 2005,
the Guam Marianas International Fishing Derby took place on June 25 and 26 to take advantage of calm
sea conditions. Derby categories are marlin, wahoo, dolphinfish, bonita, and largest bottomfish (Calvo
personal communication).
The Marianas Spearfishing Open is a one-day fishing tournament that takes place in the open water
(Calvo personal communication). Up to 15 two-man freediver teams participate in this event. Fishing is
allowed from Ritidian Point to Cocos Island. Open categories are two largest fish weighed in, largest
unicornfish, largest parrotfish, and largest trevally (Calvo personal communication).
Kid’s Catch and Release Derby in Guam is an annual rod and reel tournament (DAWR 2005; Calvo
personal communication). It is limited to 75 children per day. In 2005, the event took place on July 9 and
10. Before the fishing takes place, children receive an environmental clean-up, rules, and safety briefing.
Derby categories are most fish, longest fish, and most species caught (DAWR 2005; Calvo personal
communication).
The Saipan International Fishing Tournament has been held in August each year since 1984 (Benavente
2004; Micronesia 2005; MyMarianas.com 2005a). This is the largest fishing tournament held in the CNMI,
with over 50 boats and more than 150 participants. Prizes are awarded for the top three billfish, yellowfin
tuna, wahoo, dolphinfish, and skipjack tuna (Benavente 2004). The 2005 Cliff Fishing Derby at Tinian
took place in four locations of the Marianas MRA study area (South Dumpcoke, Fleming Point, Puntan
Diapblo, and Puntan Masalok) and one area at the southwest end of the island (Wong/Target) (CNMI
2005). Three sites are used on Rota Island during their Cliff Fishing Derby. Prize categories include total
weight, most variety, and biggest fish (CNMI 2005).
4.4 LITERATURE CITED
Allen, G.R. 1985. FAO species catalogue. Volume 6: Snappers of the world. An annotated and illustrated
catalogue of lutjanid species known to date. FAO Fish. Synop.,(125). Rome, Italy: Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Allen, G.R. 1999. Apogonidae - Cardinalfishes. Pages 2602-2610 in K.E. Carpenter and V.H. Niem, eds.
FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the western
central Pacific. Volume 4: Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae). Rome, Italy: Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Allen, G.R., and M. Adrim. 2003. Coral reef fishes of Indonesia. Zoological Studies 42(1):1-72.
Allen, G.R., and R.C. Steene. 1987. Reef fishes of the Indian Ocean: A pictorial guide to the common reef
fishes of the Indian Ocean. Neptune City, New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.
Allen, G.R., R. Steene, P. Humann, and N. DeLoach. 2003. Reef fish identification: Tropical Pacific.
Jacksonville, Florida: New World Publications Inc.
Allen, J.R. 2001. Pomacentridae - Damselfishes (Anemomefishes). Pages 3337-3356 in K.E. Carpenter
and V.H. Niem, eds. FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine
resources of the western central Pacific. Volume 5: Bony fishes part 3 (Menidae to
Pomacentridae). Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Amesbury, S.S., and R.F. Myers. 2001. Guide to the coastal resources of Guam. Volume 1: The fishes.
Accessed 18 February 2005. http://www.uog.edu/marinelab/fish/thefishes.html.
Amesbury, S.S., F.A. Cushing, and R.K. Sakamoto. 1986. Guide to the coastal resources of Guam.
Volume 3: Fishing on Guam. Mangilao, Guam: University of Guam Press.
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