Fishing derby on May 7-28

It’s time you create a memory with your children and take them fishing at the Marianas Trench Fishing and Seafood Festival Family Fun Fishing Derby slated for May 27-28, 2017.

The Marianas Trench Fishing and Seafood Festival is the brainchild of former Department of Lands and Natural resources secretary Richard B. Seman, who saw the need to get the CNMI community excited to train up our young people to utilize and preserve our ocean resources.

The Marianas Trench Fishing and Seafood Festival Family Fun Fishing Derby slated for May 27-28, 2017, will feature several booths. (Contributed Photo)

In this second Marianas Trench Fishing and Seafood Festival, we have added new and exciting undertakings. Our most exciting is the Family Fun Fishing Derby. A team of four can register to fish in five categories: pelagic (deep ocean trolling); deep bottom (over 200 meters); spear fishing; shallow bottom shore casting; and talaya (casting net). It is $20 registration per team and each team must have at least one member under 15 years old. Teams can fish in multiple categories. Tournament is jungle rules…the biggest fish wins except talaya which is total weight. The Fish & Wildlife Division will conduct the weigh-in and will be the final judge as to which fish are eligible. Fishing derby is 24 hours of fishing from 6pm, Friday, May 26, until 6pm Saturday. Over $5,000 in prize money will be distributed at the prize giving on Sunday.

The festival will purchase all fish caught for use by the chefs on Sunday so we will enjoy the freshest fish available.

The festival is also adding in four trips on the Saipan Sea Venture fishing charter boat which will take out 20 juniors (ages 8-16) per trip for three hours of bottom fishing along the reef. All poles, bait and equipment will be provided. We have two trips on Saturday and two trips on Sunday. Just sign up at KKMP or email us at kkmp670@gmail.com for registration form.

On Sunday, the festival is from 10am until 3pm and the highlight will be the man’nge chef contest. Amateur chefs will be going head to head against professional chefs in preparing fish dishes in three categories: poki; kelaguen; and open category in which anyone can submit a special fish dish. The festival will be providing fish for the chefs to prepare. The preparation is 80 percent of the value of the fish dish. The defending champions from last year are Patrick Cepeda and the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

Besides fishing, there will be live music and family entertainment at Garapan Fishing Base both days and program and vendor booths for the kids to get their face painted, games, participate in arts and crafts, jumping house and much more. We will hold a raffle with amazing prizes to provide more winnings for the participants.

This fun family event is free to attend beginning at 10am on Saturday and ending Sunday from 10am to prize giving at 3pm.

The festival is being coordinated by KKMP radio and KKMP Foundation and will be held at the Garapan Fishing Base on Saturday, May 27, from 10am to 6pm, and Sunday, May 28, from 10am to 3pm.

For more information on the contest, entry forms, displays or sponsorship visit www.marianasfishingfestival.com or email marianasfishfest@gmail.com or call KKMP at 233-1440 / 287-5567. (PR)