From November 6-12, 2016, Acapulco hosted the 25th edition of the "Big Game Trolling" World Championship, an event organized by the Mexico National Sport Fishing Federation in the "catch and release" format. Delegations from the confederation and the International Federation of Sport Fishing participated, such as Germany, Angola, Austria, Brazil, Croatia, Spain, England, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, South Africa and Mexico, bringing together more than 150 competitors from 12 countries.
Luis Miguel García, President of the Mexico National Sport Fishing Federation, highlighted the importance of this sport. In addition to offering adrenaline and entertainment, the main objective of the "catch & release" format is to preserve marine species and avoid extinction. During this championship, the more than 200 fish that were caught were once again integrated into their natural habitat.
“We are so pleased to have hosted this prestigious international tournament in Acapulco. A big thank you to Luis Miguel García and the Mexico National Sport Fishing Federation as well as the World Championship General Director headed by Rodolfo Sierra Manjarrez for their perseverance,” said Ernesto Rodríguez Escalona, Secretary of Tourism of the State of Guerrero. “This tournament gave us the opportunity to show the world and sport fishing experts that this beach destination has unmatched natural resources, first class service and all the facilities and infrastructure suitable for the realization of events of international stature.”
The opening ceremony included a parade of the attending teams at the Avenue Costera Miguel Alemán. Afterwards, the competition in Acapulco waters proceeded where participants captured the coveted species such as blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, sailfish, mahi mahi, tuna, among others. Different scores were provided according to the species captured, to be released later.
Mexico earned first and second place of this championship, leaving Switzerland with third place. The teams originally from Sinaloa and Guerrero were awarded at the Yacht Club in Acapulco by the International Federation of Sport Fishing. They also received the "key" symbolizing the change of courier for the next tournament, which will be held at Algarve, Portugal in 2017.
At the end of the tournament, participants and guests enjoyed a great Mexican dinner enlivened with a string quartet in addition to the traditional mariachi to delight local and foreign guests, closing an extraordinary evening with a party atmosphere.
