“Start Your Engines!”
Once every four (4) years the PNG National Game Fishing Titles are held in Lae. This is a prestigious event which the Lae Game Fishing Club has the honour of hosting, running from 26th March to 5th April 2010 including the Easter period.
The National titles, has evolved into “the unique game fishing tournament” in the south pacific gaming fishing calendar. Teams from Lae, throughout PNG, Australia, New Zealand and other south pacific countries will swell angler numbers to an estimated four hundred (400) participants.
Media:
Coverage by EMTV will be for both domestic and international distribution. EMTV will produce lead up promotional advertising to be run daily in the first quarter of 2010. During the titles EMTV is providing, onboard camera crews for our Titles DVD.
International print media coverage will be through the Asia Pacific's own world-class fishing magazine Bluewater. The event will be promoted internationally through the Bluewater magazine in issues leading up to the tournament. Their Melbourne editorial staff will attend for the full period, sourcing stories and participating in all events both competition and social. In addition PNG’s own premier recreational magazine Niugini Blue will cover the titles from top to bottom.
To provide additional information to anglers, friends and sponsors, upcoming events calendar, scores and progress reports the 35th National Titles has this Website. Major sponsors are included and featured on the website.
Bob Howden
President LGFC
Welcome from IGFA
The Game Fishing Association of Papua New Guinea would like to welcome all anglers fishing in this, the 35th running of the National Game Fishing Titles.
A particular welcome to all anglers who have made the effort to get here from overseas and from other parts of PNG.
We are all looking forward to this year’s event with fond memories of the great time we all had in 2006 from both piscatorial and after lines out points of view.
Again huge thanks to all of our sponsors for their ongoing support of the biggest National sporting event of the year in PNG.On one hand we wish to thank our outgoing naming sponsor Mobil Oil/Islands Petroleum and their staff for their support over many years, and on the other to welcome a new naming sponsor Interoil Products Ltd. Interoil have agreed to a four year round of Titles sponsorships, and we look forward to a long and fruitful association. Special thanks again to our other longstanding naming sponsors, Global Internet and Consort Express Lines.
Thanks to Bob, Don, Steve, Gangles, Andrew, Ray, Daniel and all of the Lae GFC folk who have worked tirelessly for the last year to present this event. Thanks also to the Lae Yacht Club and their staff for a great venue.
With my IGFA hat on, we are pleased to once again have the Titles as a qualifying event for the IGFA Offshore World Championships. The invitation to participate will be given to the Highest Point Scoring Team on medium tackle. The blokes from Lae really enjoyed this year’s tournament in Mexico.
Good luck to everyone and please enjoy Lae’s great hospitality.
Bob O’Dea
President, GFA of PNG.
Welcome Remarks of Patron
Hon Bart Philemon, MP, Deputy Leader of Opposition, Member for Lae
Fishing is serious business in traditional and rural Papua New Guinea. It is the main source of protein for the coastal people on the mainland and various 600 islands that make up the total landmass of the nation.
The idea of fishing for sport has – and will continue to amaze – rural people of Papua New Guinea. Especially their perception of wastage – when angled fish are guffed, netted, admired, weighed, photographed and then unhooked and released back into the wild by gaming fishermen such as yourselves.
You will have to humour Papua New Guineans for that. Or should I say they will have to put up with you on playing games with such great catches?
I am like one of those fish. I’ve been hooked and drawn out – and thankfully - released - time and time again as patron. So naturally, I’m pleased to be patron of the 35thNational Game Fishing Title.
You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t offer to sail with you after those fish waiting to test your patience and/or your fishing clout and prowess.
At this time, I prefer to do my fishing on land – for elusive politicians and funds for projects – who or which can be as slippery as eels.
If past National Game Fishing Title is any indication, this 35th one should be intensely competitive and a great diversion from work. Many – if not all of you – work hard and it’s time to relax with this popular diversion.
I am aware that Game Fishermen are among leading conservationists in so far as our marine resources are concerned.
I looked up the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) website and was pleasantly surprised to note the following:
"Here at IGFA, we continue to stay on top of the complex issues that impact our industry and the game fish we pursue so as to allow you, as an angler, more time on the water.
Regardless of where you fish in the world, out of necessity, we all are having to give more attention (and time) today to how our game fish and their habitats are being managed.
Whether it’s reduced access, reduced stock sizes or competing interests for the same stock, it seems like there is always something that is negatively impacting our recreational fishing opportunities. In addition to the long-time services we provide with regard to rules, records and game fish information, the part of our workload at IGFA dealing with these issues continues to expand. This is particularly the case with regard to the “international” highly migratory fisheries which are constantly under threat from the overcapitalized commercial fleets around the world."(IGFA, March 2010)
Papua New Guinea as a nation over the last few years seem to want instant cash over marine conservation, sustainable fishing and marine harvesting practices.
Let me not bore you with details. All I want to do here is to put you on notice: when the Government wakes up in whatever form, you may find us knocking on your doors for expert advice – and we hope you will open the doors wide to us aside from saying a well-deserved cynical “Good Morning”.
Before I wish you happy fishing, I just need to do my political duty, and welcome those who have come from outside of Lae – either from within Papua New Guinea or from overseas:
Please be welcome and enjoy the fishing as well as the marine and coastline scenery. When you return home, tell your friends and acquaintances: that you had the time of your life here. And invite them to visit on their own – or better still return with you when you next set sail our way.
Happy Fishing!
