2011 Governor's Cup Billfish Tournaments
BARTA BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB 
The North Carolina Governor's Cup Billfishing Conservation Series is an annual sportfishing series operating cooperatively with seven major billfish tournaments on the NC coast. Managed by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, the series promotes conservation, protection, and preservation of marine resources. Participating boats or teams are awarded points for billfish caught and released and for billfish taken that meet tournament minimum size requirements. Trophies are awarded for the largest fish in each category, teams with the most points, and outstanding junior and lady anglers. 2005 marked the first year of the Dale Ward Conservation Trophy given in honor of Dale Ward's North Carolina billfish conservation work. The trophy is awarded to the boat or team with the most points for releasing billfish caught on circle hooks.
In 2009, 51 boats entered the North Carolina Governor's Cup Tournament and caught 244 billfish. Of the 244, 57 were blue marlin, 94 were white marlin, and 93 were sailfish. The best part of the series is that out of all the billfish caught, only 5 blue marlin were not released. Now in its 19th year, the Governor's Cup has released over 2,000 tagged billfish.
2011 Governor's Cup Participating Tournaments
HATTERAS VILLAGE OFFSHORE OPEN
May 11 - 14
Hatteras Phone: 800-676-4939
BILLFISH TOURNAMENT
July 14 – 16
Beaufort Phone: 252-808-2286
SWANSBORO ROTARY 2011 MEMORIAL DAY BLUE WATER FISHING TOURNAMENT
May 28 – 29
Swansboro Phone: 252-422-9100 DUCKS UNLIMITED BILLFISH
TAG AND RELEASE TOURNAMENT
July 28 – 30
Morehead City Phone: 252-237-3717
BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT
June 10 – 18
Morehead City Phone: 252-247-3575 PIRATES COVE 28th ANNUAL
BILLFISH TOURNAMENT
August 16 - 19
Manteo Phone: 252-473-1015
CAPE FEAR BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT
June 29 - July 2
Wrightsville Beach
Phone: 910-686-9778
| FOR MORE INFORMATION: Governor's Cup Billfishing Conservation Series Randy Gregory, PO Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557 e-mail: Randy.Gregory@ncdenr.gov 252-726-7021 or 1-800-682-2632 |
