Advertisement

Marlin Season Pumps Revenue Into Virgin Islands During ‘Off Season’

The annual Atlantic Blue Marlin migration attracts some of the best sports fishermen in the world...

The annual Atlantic Blue Marlin migration from June through October attracts some of the best sports fishermen in the world to the Virgin Islands. The benefit of this is a huge ‘off-season’ revenue source from anglers and their crews who come to fish for fun and in one or more of the prestigious tournaments that take place during this time such as July Open Billfish Tournament that took place in early July and the USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament (ABMT) set for August 28 to September 1.

“Estimates are that each boat that travels to St. Thomas for the marlin fishing spends on average $200,000 and we get 20 to 30 boats or more each year from the states,” says Jimmy Loveland, ABMT tournament director.“ That includes extra crewmembers, dockage, tackle, fuel, taxis, car rentals, restaurants, hotels, villas, shopping, the jet port and more.”

Loveland is asking the Virgin Islands business community to ‘give back’ by donating a prize to the tournament’s 40th Anniversary Fundraising Raffle to benefit the VI Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Advertisement

“The Virgin Islands business community has really supported us in donating many spectacular prizes for this raffle already,” says Loveland.

The Grand prize is a full-day marlin fishing trip aboard the Marlin Prince ($2000 value). Other prizes include $500 cash, a 30-pound Leeward Rod and Shimano Reel, OtterBox Cell phone Cases, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses and dinners for two at many St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix restaurants. Tickets are $10 each. Buy a book of 10 tickets and get one free. Volunteers are out collecting prizes. Go to: www.abmt.vi/archivepages/2012tournamentraffle.htm to see the growing prize list and to purchase raffle tickets via PayPal. The drawing will be September 1, 2012. You do not need to be present to win.

For more information on the tournament or to help sell raffle tickets or donate a prize, call: (340) 775-9500 or Email: loveto@islands.vi. Follow the exciting “Boy Scout” Tournament live at: www.abmt.vi or drive out to American Yacht Harbor, Red Hook, around 6 p.m. to see the boats come in with their flags flying high during the fishing days of on August 28, 29 and 30 and September 1.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement