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VI Gov't gets onboard North Drop Open; Contributes $50K

- Fishing tournament set for Friday, August 9 & Saturday, August 10
From left: Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board of Directors Delma Maduro, Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), Jr Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Dr the Hon Karl Dawson (R1), Chairman of North Drop Open Mr Thomas Warner, Tournament Representative Chad Lettsome, Niche Marketing and Tourism Liaison Manager at BVI Tourist Board Lynette L. Harrigan, and Public Media Manager of BVITB Keith Dawson, at the presentation ceremony and press conference of the North Drop Open on July 19, 2024. Photo: GIS
Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr the Honourable Karl Dawson (R1) said in a press briefing on Friday, July 19, 2024, that the Government will be promoting and strengthening the Territory’s tourism product and is happy to partner with the agencies in promoting the Virgin Islands as a prime location for big game fishing. Photo: GIS
Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr the Honourable Karl Dawson (R1) said in a press briefing on Friday, July 19, 2024, that the Government will be promoting and strengthening the Territory’s tourism product and is happy to partner with the agencies in promoting the Virgin Islands as a prime location for big game fishing. Photo: GIS
The North Drop Open, a two-day tournament, is scheduled to take place on Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10, and is part of the Caribbean Series Blue Marlin Championship. Photo: Facebook
The North Drop Open, a two-day tournament, is scheduled to take place on Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10, and is part of the Caribbean Series Blue Marlin Championship. Photo: Facebook
Team UnWined rocked the big game angling world with a 1,268-pound blue marlin on Day Two of the 2024 Bermuda Big Game Classic on July 15, 2024! Anglers in the 2024 North Drop Open will be hoping for such fortune! Photo: marlinmag.com
Team UnWined rocked the big game angling world with a 1,268-pound blue marlin on Day Two of the 2024 Bermuda Big Game Classic on July 15, 2024! Anglers in the 2024 North Drop Open will be hoping for such fortune! Photo: marlinmag.com
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- The Government of the Virgin Islands is collaborating with the BVI Tourist Board and North Drop Open to host a fishing tournament ‘catch and release’ event for blue marlin out of Virgin Gorda.

The North Drop Open, a two-day tournament, is scheduled to take place on Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10, and is part of the Caribbean Series Blue Marlin Championship.

Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr the Honourable Karl Dawson (R1) said in a press briefing on Friday, July 19, 2024, that the Government will be promoting and strengthening the Territory’s tourism product and is happy to partner with the agencies in promoting the Virgin Islands as a prime location for big game fishing.

VI Gov't contributes $50K to fishing tournament

Dr Dawson said a contribution of fifty thousand dollars will be donated towards the successful hosting of the two-day event.

“I see North Drop fishing tournament as the start of something great not just as a one-off event. We see this as an opportunity that has tremendous growth and potential, not only as a fishing tournament, but more importantly for placing the Virgin Islands back at the centre of sport fishing in the world.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of North Drop Open, Mr Thomas Warner said, “We are confident that this event will make the Virgin Islands world famous in respect to the sport fishing of blue marlins. I encourage everyone to follow us, come out, get involve and make the BVI a great success.”

Rules

The rules to participate in the tournaments include that all boats entered must be in Virgin Gorda with their team registered by 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 8 and depart from Spanish Town on the days of the tournament and be present at the awards ceremony.

Food and drinks will be available from 4:30 PM on Thursday, August 8.

Entry fee is $2500 per boat while organisers will pay the Tournament and Angler Fees that are required by the Government of the Virgin Islands.

Each boat must provide its anglers' names and identification.

7 Responses to “VI Gov't gets onboard North Drop Open; Contributes $50K”

  • ... (23/07/2024, 10:03) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    wow them really know how to play with the tax money 50k for 2 days wow
  • ok (23/07/2024, 10:18) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Dr Dawson said a contribution of fifty thousand dollars will be donated towards the successful hosting of the two-day event."

    OK but he doesnt know if there is money for agriculture. There is prize money, open to all far & wide for persons who have an expendable $2500 to gamble, interesting.

    We are watching this unfold dont blame the observer. We hardly have a public library, no computer lab, and agriculture facilities are not designed for public use. The college library is good but it is not for the public. Persons might get into fishing by reading and filling a section of a library with books on sport fishing. If you dont have the money to fill a section with books then we dont have the money to give as a prize to established gamblers, aka sports fishers.
  • ok (23/07/2024, 10:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Looking at the picture of the fish ill bet the slaughter of animals for sport may one day be a crime.
  • Phenomenal Event (23/07/2024, 11:36) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    What a phenomenal and exciting event! Amazing job to Tom and Chad. And to the BVI Government for financially supporting it!!!

    Great for the BVI
  • jack (23/07/2024, 11:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good idea yall
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (23/07/2024, 11:58) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    I refuse to be against people in general because of the colour of their skin, a the big amount of material wealth they have under their control, but with so many persons in the BVI searching for work to earn wages to but basic goods, and also minimum wage earners, how can we allowed rich people to fooled us and donated $50.000.00 towards a marlin fishing tournament cash and release?
    Should we not have instead gave that $50,000.00 to people that are underfed and minimum wages earners? Fish is human food. Why pay $50,000.000 to enter a fishing tournament, catch fish and release them? Who do you think get to keep our $50,000.00, the organizers of course.

    If you take an ignorant and arrogant leaders, put them to reign over you, the people, who then is more ignorant and arrogant, them or you?
    Moreover, if you choose greedy leaders to share the increase of you country's wealth fair among the citizens of your country, what better do you expect, a fair share, good governance, etc., etc ?
    Moreover, if a sheep go hunting for food with a pack of ravenous wolves, guest who is on the menu?

    Helpppppppppppppppp!!!!!!


  • vi (23/07/2024, 13:51) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe I am wrong, but has our VI Government contributed anything to our brothers and sisters down the Islands that were ravaged by Hurricane Beryl? I have heard of other countries contributing goods and services ect.


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