THIS week will see over 40 team boats competing in the 54th edition of Jamaica’s oldest and most-anticipated fishing event, the Annual Montego Bay International Marlin Tournament.

“MoBay Marlin” has moved to the forefront by leveraging the large variety of venues and attractions available in the city, and by fully utilising the first-class facilities of the Montego Bay Yacht Club (MBYC).

This is not only a record attendance for the event, but will make it the largest-and-best attended marlin tournament in the island. Furthermore, the yacht clubs docks have been fully sold out for this year’s event, and many interested teams were unable to be accommodated this year, causing the MBYC to move forward with plans to extend the docks by another 100 feet before next year’s event, in order to accommodate the demand from international teams.

The tournament organisers set out last year to make the event something that could be enjoyed by all comers — not just the anglers, but also their friends and family — as well as all those who are otherwise interested, both locally and abroad. In addition, the organisers chose to create new charity conduits through which the success of the tournament could directly benefit those in need.

To this end, the revised tournament format included new fishing days, as well as the creation of a number of new events and activities, including the Tight Lines Marlin Fleet Raft Up and Beach Party, hosted at Doctor’s Cave Beach on September 26, and the new Charity Comedy night on September 24. A huge line-up of international and local comedic talent will be on top form, including Majah Hype, Harris Stanton, Donald ‘Iceman’ Anderson, Dave Siegel, and Leighton Smith.

Tournament director Robert ‘Bobby’ Stewart said: “For the 2015 MoBay Marlin to be fully subscribed, three months before the event, speaks volumes about how thrilled last year’s competitors were with the new format and with the fishing available just off our coastline. We are also tremendously excited that we have been able to find ways to allow the tournament to make a solid contribution to local charities. Looking forward, we are also very excited at the international interest we received this year, and in its potential impact on tourism in Jamaica and Montego Bay.”

The event is being held in conjunction with title sponsors Digicel Business and Appleton Estate, as well as associate sponsors Viking Yachts, NCB Capital Markets, Sandals Resorts, FFK Insurance, ATL Automotive, and Secrets Resorts.

Tournament rules were also revised last year to become a ‘Modified Catch and Release’ conservation-oriented event, fishing under International Game Fish Association rules.