This year’s Etpison Cup hosted by the Palau Sports Fishing Association (PSFA) set a national record for having the biggest fish caught during a fishing derby.
Out of the 58 boats that participated in the Etpison Cup’s fishing derby on May 25-26, team Omenged emerged as grand prize winner under the Grand Prize Billfish category for being able to catch a 509-pound Marlin fish. No team, however, was declared as second grand prize winner since not one among the them managed to catch a fish that has a weight that qualifies under it. Team Ebosoh then took the third prize for catching a 309-pound Marlin.
The grand prize winner took home $30,000, the third placer, $10,000, while the baby grand prize winner received $5,000.
For the Billfish category, team Kebruka grabbed the first prize for catching a 200-pound Marlin followed by team Erwei who caught a 179-pound Marlin, and team Bento who caught 167-pound fish.
Team Erwei also won the first prize under the Tuna category for catching a 107-pound tuna. They were followed by the Riptide team who caught a 107-pound tuna, PIDC, 83 pounds, Etang, 82.3 pounds, and Oppo-Tuna, 78.5 pounds.
Under the Wahoo category, team Etang emerged as first place for catching 23-pound fish and tailed by Mengesebak, 25 pounds, Mekar, 24.65 pounds, Mixed Plate, 24.5, and Hunter, 22 pounds.
Ladies also tested their fishing skills under the Ladies Bottom Fishing category which concluded with team All In topping the competition with their over 70 pounds of caught fish. Team TRC came as second with their 57.1-pound fish and team BOG came in third for catching fish with a total weight of 51.25 pounds.
For the Giant Trevally category, team Doggy Fun got the first place for their 39.75-pound fish followed by team Dibech, 34.5 pounds, and team Plug In, 34 pounds.
The awarding ceremony was held yesterday evening, May 27, at the Dropoff Bar and Grill in Malakal. (By Rhealyn C. Pojas)