Hawaii International Billfish Tournament schedules marlin race

July 3, 11:38 AMHonolulu Boating ExaminerRay Pendleton

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Pacific blue marlin

July 20 through 24 will mark the 50th running of the prestigious Hawaii International Billfish Tournament in the waters off the Big Island’s Kona Coast. And as usual, teams of some of the best anglers in the world will be entered.

But to “spice up” the HIBT’s Golden Anniversary, its founder Peter Fithian has announced the added attraction of a “Great Marlin Race” to benefit Pacific blue marlin research.

“Now, we do not do money, or betting, or those other things that seem to have become part of the scenery, but what about a bit of chance on how well one of your marlin catches swims after you tag it?” Fithian asks anglers. “Not how fast it swims, but how far it swims in the next 180 days.”

The evidence accumulated in recent years seems to indicate that Kona is a spawning ground for Pacific blue marlin, Fithian notes, and it suggests they come from far away places to spawn here. The fish then presumably return to wherever they came from and swim there until their next visit to Kona.

All anglers and teams entered in this year’s HIBT are eligible to enter the Great Marlin Race by purchasing satellite tags for $4,000 that once attached to a fish, will measure its mileage away from Hawaii at the end of 180 days.

Anglers and teams are being encouraged to either participate individually, or to incorporate into geographical groups, such as those from Japan, Australia, the U.S., or even from specific states.

The Great Marlin Race will contribute to a joint venture between the Pacific Ocean Research Foundation, Stanford University, and Global Tagging of Pelagic Predators. All proceeds will be used for the cost of the tags and for the satellite time, and their purchase price is tax deductible in the U.S.

The winner of the Great Marlin Race will receive a free entry for up to six anglers to the 2010 Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, organizers say, but it does not include charter boat fees, lodging or travel costs. If more than one individual or team purchases the winning entry, the amount of the entry fee will be prorated.

Barbara Block, Ph.D., and her graduate students/technicians from Stanford University will either deploy or assist the teams and boat crews in deploying the satellite tags, and Dr. Block will determine the winner.