Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament (Deep Sea Fishing Tournament)

Errol Flynn Marina, Port Antonio, Jamaica

The 45th Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament and 24th Port Antonio Local Canoe Tournament will be held in Portland from October 4-11, 2008. This is the oldest Marlin tournament in the Caribbean, which attracts anglers from all over the world.

The winner of the competition is the one who catches the biggest Marlin a fish that migrates through the Caribbean during September and October according to the moon's phases. The Blue Marlin is both agile and speedy and can grow up to about 16 feet (4.5 metres).

The Atlantic Blue Marlin is an endangered species of fish and its preservation is highly significant to the continued development of the Caribbean's waters.

Local fishermen and boats from surrounding regions come to Port Antonio to help in the conservation effort and this takes the form of the International Marlin Tournament.

Marlin are caught, tagged and released back into the sea in keeping with the International Game Fishing Association's (IGFA) tag and release regulations.

The waters off of northern Jamaica are famous in deep sea fishing circles. Anglers can try to land mahi-mahi, wahoo, blue and white marlin, sailfish, tarpon, barracuda, and bonito. Each year the Jamaica International Fishing Tournament and the Jamaica International Blue Marlin Tournament run concurrently in September and October, bringing anglers from around the world to fish the teeming waters. If you want to view the excellent scenery alive under the water, Dragon Bay is great for scuba diving and snorkeling excursions. Diving enthusiasts will want to rent a dive boat to take them to Monkey Island near San San Bay. The reef is full of marine life, including hundreds of tropical fish and many sponges and plants.

Parties at the event are sponsored by Jamaica's major corporations, such as Appleton Rum and Red Stripe beer.