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Kiwi fishermen haul in the big ones



News Release

Kiwi fishermen haul in the big ones

Auckland, New Zealand. October 4 2012 – Two New Zealand fishermen have landed the two major prizes at the recent International Wahoo Fishing Tournament in Niue.

Ray Galt of Invercargill won the ‘Heaviest Wahoo’ title with a whopping 36.8kg wahoo caught on the second day of competition securing him the overall win. However it is the friendships that were formed over the weeklong event that Ray values the most.

“The (Niue Tourism) team put on an event that they can be proud of. To win was great, but the friendships made over the few days on the Rock far outweigh the thrill of landing the heaviest wahoo,” says Ray.

Mark Fraser of New Plymouth was awarded the “Overall Total Weight” prize for his collective haul of 83.7kg of fish. For their efforts, both Ray and Mark have won a return trip to Niue to defend their titles at next year’s International Wahoo Fishing Competition.

Hosted by New Zealand fishing celebrity Geoff Thomas from the popular television show ‘Outdoors With Geoff’, the competition was hailed as a great success with international and local competitors collectively landing nearly a tonne of fish during the four day tournament. Many of the international competitors brought family with them to Niue and there were plenty of additional activities arranged throughout the week including social functions, bike rides, vanilla tours as well as snorkelling and diving opportunities.

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Niue Tourism Development Manager Hayden Porter estimates the financial rewards to the island to be significant with returns between a hundred and thirty to a hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the week.

“Not only is this a fantastic event for all who attend, the benefits to the island are far reaching and ongoing with many competitors vowing to return and encouraging their friends and family to do the same.”

The tournament also included a separate competition for the Niue’s local Vaka fisherman who fish from traditional outrigger canoes – much to the delight of the international spectators.

Local fishermen Atalase Tauati from Avatele won both the ‘Heaviest Wahoo’ and ‘Total Weight’ titles netting him just under a thousand dollars in cash prizes and hundreds of dollars in gear for his efforts in hauling in a 47.7kg wahoo impressing local and international anglers alike. When asked as to what his secret fishing tip was for hauling in an impressive fish, the quiet fishermen shared a traditional Niuean secret, “you never sleep with your wife the night before going fishing,” he chuckled.

New Zealanders can view the thrill of the competition and the beauty of Niue for themselves on ‘Outdoors with Geoff’ which features two episodes about the tournament. The second episode will air this Saturday (October 6th) on TV3 at 5.30pm. Both episodes will also be available to watch on demand on the TV3 website.

Many anglers are already planning their return to Niue for next year’s event and due to the strong interest by keen fisherwomen; Niue Tourism has recently announced a new event –the inaugural Ladies only Tournament which looks set to kick off in June 2013.


www.niueisland.com

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