(MVA) — The Saipan Fishermen’s Association will hold the 41st Annual Saipan International Fishing & Tournament on July 12-13, 2025, in The Marianas, with the addition of a fishing festival organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Competitive fishing will take place on both days, while the festival featuring fishing and maritime festivities will be held on July 13 at Smiling Cove Marina in Garapan.
“We anticipate that this year’s Saipan International Fishing Tournament is going to be another great weekend of fishing, camaraderie, and celebrating our maritime culture here in The Marianas,” said SFA President Tony Scragg. “We’re especially excited to partner with the Marianas Visitors Authority on a first-ever festival on Day 2 of the tournament, allowing the general public and our visitors to join our fishermen and their families in celebrating fishing culture.”
In 2024, the tournament had 90 boats and over 300 fishermen and fisherwomen from the Northern Marianas and Guam. MVA aims to attract more participants and media attention and provide a new opportunity to connect visitors with Marianas culture and nature through the festival
“Fishing tourism is a niche market that’s projected to grow considerably around the world over the next decade,” said MVA Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron. “More importantly, fishing is an important part of our Marianas lifestyle, which is something today’s traveler is hungry to experience. We locals already know how exciting the Saipan International Fishing Tournament is, especially watching the boats come in at the end of the day and weigh in their catch. MVA is pleased to expand our support to SFA this year to bring more entertainment, fishing culture, and more to Smiling Cove. Stay tuned for more details!”
Boat charters and more information are available by contacting SFA President Tony Scragg at tscragg@jwssaipan.com/.
Game fish categories for the tournament are: Grand Prize (Biggest Billfish), Bill Fish (1st -3rd), Yellow Fin (1st-3rd), Wahoo (1st –3rd), Mahi Mahi (1st-3rd), and Skipjack Tuna (1st-3rd). Prizes will also be awarded for total weight. A special prize of $10,000 will be awarded to the record-breaking Bill Fish weighing more than 942 lbs.
Tournament registration is $200 per boat, inclusive of a captain and one crew member. Each additional angler is $35. Registration will be held on July 11 from 4-6 p.m. at Smiling Cove Marina. A briefing on tournament regulations will be given, followed by a blessing over all boats. Tournament time on July 12 and July 13 is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and all boats must launch from Smiling Cove Marina.
Tournament sponsors are Marianas Visitors Authority, Budweiser, Mobil, Pacifica/Century Insurance and Docomo Pacific.
The SFA awards ceremony will be held on July 14. Tournament entry forms, rules, and schedule of events are now available:
• At Fishing Tackle & Sporting Goods Store on Beach Road, Chalan Kanoa, Saipan
• At Marianas Visitors Authority office, Beach Road, I Liyan, Saipan
• via email from the MVA at communityprojects@mymarianas.com
