Guam, Tinian teams to take part in spearfishing tourney

Three of the four major islands of the Marianas chain will be represented in the 2nd Annual Spearfishing Tournament set for May 17 in the waters around Saipan.

Marianas Apnea Spearfishing Club vice president Felix Sasamoto said aside from the regulars on Saipan, spearfishing enthusiasts from Guam and Tinian will also take part in the event.

He added that he and MASC president Morito Asai will also be joining the over 20 participants this year.

“This year’s tournament will be very competitive and challenging because there are more teams joining this year. I will be joining this year’s competition and I’ll be teaming up with MASC president Morito Asai. Guam teams headed by Mr. James Borja and Tinian teams headed by Mr. Joe Untalan will be competing as well. Saipan, Tinian, and Guam teams are up for the challenge. May the best spearfisher and team win,” Sasamoto said in an email to the Saipan Tribune.

The 2nd Annual Spearfishing Tournament will be held two Saturdays from now with a 6am start and a 3:30pm finish. Sasamoto, however, said participants should check in at the Smiling Cove Marina by 5am for gear inspection.

Registration fee is $40 per diver and will entitle them to an event T-shirt, MASC car sticker, and food and drinks during competition day.

Categories up for grabs are heaviest weight—for individual and team—and biggest species. Sasamoto said the 2nd Annual Spearfishing Tournament has categories for up to 10 different type of species.

Winners will take home cash and in-kind prizes such as spearguns and a lot of giveaways.

Last Tuesday MASC held a meeting about the event and it was attended by Saipan Fishermen’s Association president Gene Weaver, Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Jack Ogumoro, Division of Environmental Quality’s Peter Houk, as well as boaters, volunteers, and professional spearfishermen.

Registration forms, rules and regulation forms, and flyers were also all given out during the meeting.

The 2nd Annual Spearfishing Tournament’s sponsors include MARPAC, Palms Resort & Spa, Sen. Luis Crisostomo, Rep. Ralph Torres, Saipan Fishing Tackle, The Torres Brothers, Saipan Fishermen Association, Marianas Visitors Authority, O.M.E.R., Cressi-sub, Pacifica Insurance, and Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan.

MASC is also looking for volunteers and boaters to help during the event. To help or for more information about the 2nd Annual Spearfishing Tournament, call Asai at 483-7625/233-5055 or Sasamoto at 898-8155.