Controversy and misfortune surround the 52nd Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament that concluded this past weekend in North Carolina. On Monday June 14, an angler aboard the vessel Citation landed a blue marlin that tipped the scales at 883 pounds. Not only did this fish launch the Citation crew into the number one spot in this year’s tournament, it shattered the big fish record that was set back in 2000. As the week wore on, no other anglers were able to unseat the 883 pound giant that was in line to capture over $900,000 in prize money.

Yesterday, an unfortunate discovery was made by officials concerning a tournament rule violation by the winning vessel. A mate on the Citation did not have a current North Carolina fishing license. Under section 9 of the official tournament rules,
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries will require a recreational fishing license for anyone participating in fishing aboard a vessel. This includes a license for the captain, the mate and the anglers. These individual licenses can be purchased on a 10-day, annual or lifetime basis.” The violation has resulted in a full disqualification for the Citation. The team has been stripped of the first place position and all prize money.
This event has many people questioning whether the boat should be penalized for the mistake of a non-fishing mate. For less than the cost of a haircut, the violation could have been avoided if the mate had only purchased a North Carolina fishing license prior to the start of the tournament. In addition, the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries makes it very easy for owners or operators to ensure that everyone on board is properly licensed by offering block licenses.

An excerpt from the NC licensing requirements states that,
Beginning January 1, 2009, vessel owners or operators may purchase a block of 10, Ten-Day Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses to cover anglers fishing aboard their boat. Each block contains ten licenses. Each license may be issued to one person and is valid for 10 consecutive days from the date first used. This block of licenses costs $150 and is available to owners of private vessels, or the responsible party of a business owned vessel.”

Regardless of who is to blame for the oversight, it is heartbreaking to think about how such a small mistake cost the crew of the Citation so much.
Although most of us won’t be facing the devastating loss of almost a million dollars in prize money, this event should serve as a reminder to anglers in Columbia that the current fishing licenses expire on June 30th. The 2010-2011 licenses are currently available, so you don’t have to wait until after the 30th to pick one up. The fourth of July weekend is always a busy time out on the water so make sure that your license is up to date in order to avoid any tickets from SCDNR.

Theres this one girl who owes me about a thousand who if i saw here I might go into a murderous rage. Let her stay in my apartment one summer while I was gone during college and she's supposed to pay me back for rent. When I get back I find out she's bailed to Seattle, there are fleas in the apartment, some of my stuff is missing, and that she used my room when she brought guys home, and that she was a prostitute. She is the only person I hate, and I might kill her if I ever found her.

Theres this one girl who owes me about a thousand who if i saw here I might go into a murderous rage. Let her stay in my apartment one summer while I was gone during college and she's supposed to pay me back for rent. When I get back I find out she's bailed to Seattle, there are fleas in the apartment, some of my stuff is missing, and that she used my room when she brought guys home, and that she was a prostitute. She is the only person I hate, and I might kill her if I ever found her.

That story rules.

That story rules.

So, I take it you didn't get to fuh?