2006 Governor's Cup Billfish Tournaments
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 2006, 56 boats entered the North Carolina Governor's Cup Tournament and caught 227 billfish. Of the 227, 47 were blue marlin, 103 were white marlin, and 77 were sailfish. The best part of the series is that out of all the billfish caught, only 4 blue marlin were not released. Now in its 16th year, the Governor's Cup has had 735 participants which have released 1,818 billfish.
Final Standings for the 2006 Governor's Cup
Hatteras Village Offshore Open
May 17-20
Hatteras, NC
Phone: 800-676-4939
Swansboro Rotary 2006 Memorial Day Blue Marlin Tournament
May 26-28
Swansboro, NC
Phone: 910-326-3474
Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament
June 10-17
Morehead City, NC
Phone: 252-247-3575
Cape Fear Blue Marlin Tournament
July 6-10
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Phone 910-686-9778 Or 910-799-2895
Barta Boys and Girls Club
Billfish Tournament
July 20-22
Atlantic Beach, NC
Phone 252-808-2286
18th Annual Ducks Unlimited Billfish Tag And Release Tournament
July 27-29
Morehead City, NC
Phone: 252-237-3717
Pirate's Cove 23rd Annual Billfish Tournament
August 14-18
Manteo, NC
Phone: 1-800-422-3610
For more information on the Governor's Cup Series contact:
Randy Gregory
e-mail: Randy.Gregory@ncmail.net
phone: 252-726-7021 or 1-800-682-2632
