Hemingway Billfishing Tournament Kicks Off in Cuba Cuban News Agency
go to original June 9, 2014

Fidel Castro beat Che Guevara and Ernest Hemmingway in a fishing competition in Havana in 1960. He was awarded a trophy for catching a Marlin. (ITN Source)

HAVANA, Cuba - Some 20 crews will try from today to become champions in the 64 Ernest Hemingway International Marlin Fishing Tournament, one of the oldest events in the world.

The event, promoted in the 1950s by the famous American writer, will begin in the Marina Residential, of this city, with the traditional captains' meeting where the organizers provide details about the event and the weather conditions expected during the days of fishing.

According to statements of the Marlin SA Nautical and marine Business Group, this edition emphasizes the participation of France, with six ships confirmed to date; as well as Canada, USA, Mexico, England and Cuba.

Until the 14th, the teams will try to capture the best specimen of species in competition (Dorado, Marlin), through the method of marking and release, promoted since the beginning of the tournament to contribute to the preservation of Cuban marine habitat.

To that end, it also encourages the use of circle hooks to minimize damage, and the introduction of satellite tagging, that reveal behaviors of fish, said Francisco Diaz, director of Development, Quality and Business of that entity.

According to the event program, fishing trips will take place on the 10, 11 and 13, while the 12 will be to rest and the closing ceremony will be on the 14.

Because of its location, the island is highly attractive for sport fishing; the deep basins and pits of the Caribbean Sea, and the Straits of Florida and the Bahamas serve as ecological barriers, while the great ocean currents connect it with the routes of pelagic species.

Preceded only by the Tuna World Cup in Nova Scotia, and Tarpon Tournament in Mexico, the Hemingway certainly becomes a bridge to bring Cuba to the international sailing community, as the Nobel Prize for Literature (The Old Man and the Sea, 1954) craved.

See the original at Cuban News Agency

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