The ORIS National Big Game Tournament in aid of the Puttinu Cares Foundation

[The_Gaffer]

SKIP: I would like to thank all those paid up members who have renewed this year and continue to show their support, as well as the companies who sponsor the forum through advertising. As the organising committee can confirm, business is down and times are tough with several companies cutting back on their advertising across the board. However they continue to show support in the forum and the benefits it can provide, but specifically the overwhelming support for this year's charitable tournament deserves all the praise due and the organising committee have been selfless in ensuring this event will be a grand and unique experience, sacrificing countless hours of their personal time.

This is going to be a huge one of a kind tournament this year, not to be missed. Look forward to seeing you guys at the Press Briefing

[The_Gaffer]

Boatcare supplies are now added to the prize lineup. Boatcare supplies are preparing a special hamper of their renowned products to be donated to the MFF and presented as an award. Well done Jesmond from Boatcare Supplies.  More details shortly.

[The_Gaffer]

SEAFOX: Thanks Jesmond for donating a nice package, apart from the advert you you have already provided for which we are also grateful.

I have recently purchased quite a few BoatCare products from Jes and I can vouch that they are excellant, reasonably priced and very effective.

[The_Gaffer]

More donations and a new Corporate sponsor on board:

Dr. Ray Zammit - Dentist, has donated €100 towards the event and Puttinu Cares.  

Camilleri Marine, local agents for Humminbird, Bennett trim tabs and a host of other marine related equipment have donated €500 in cash to the event and Puttinu Cares Foundation while also sponsoring the prize lineup with a Humminbird Fishfinder Piranha MAX105.  Well done Ken Camilleri of Camilleri Marine.

[The_Gaffer]

FINAL PRIZE LINE UP

1st   Oris Prodiver marine watch + €100 voucher + 3 Trophies (Jos. Debono Jewellers)   €2000 + €100 voucher            
2nd   Raymarine A70 Digital chartplotter inc maps + €75 voucher + 3 trophies (RLR)   €1750 + €75 voucher            
3rd   Okuma Makaira 30 WII reel + €50 Voucher + 3 trophies (Buona Pesca Trading)      €650 + €50 voucher         
4th   Grauvell Big Game rod and reel combo (Misterfish)    €500            
5th   Maguires Polishes Hamper       €170      
6th   Boat Care Products Hamper      €150         
7th   Humminbird Fish Finder Piranha MAX105 (Camilleri Marine)         €105      
8th    €100 voucher Buona Pesca trading               
9th    €75 voucher Buona Pesca Trading               
10th   €50 voucher buona Pesca trading   

Special Awards    
Biggest Alonga caught       Lineaeffe Big Game reel and rod      €600
biggest Fish caught           Lowrance HDS-7 Combo FF&GPS incl transducer  €1650
         

[SEAFOX]

Gaffer I suppose that the first 10 prizes would go by total weight, maybe you can clarify for others. What a range of gifts, prosit, good luck guys....pity I cant take part! Wahhaltuli Gus!

[The_Gaffer]

No Colin, placings are decided according to number of fish caught. Weight becomes a determining factor when 2 or more boats catch the same number of fish.

[SEAFOX]

Ok Joe all understood mela.

[skip]

Great prize line-up Joe, that looks like over €8000 worth of prizes giving a lot of people a chance of getting a decent prize from this tournament

[The_Gaffer]

Yes, actually its €8025 worth of prizes.  We tried to ensure a good spread of the prizes, from 1st to 10th, plus biggest fish, and biggest alonga.  I'm getting some suggestions on how the biggest fish and biggest alonga prize should be considered, and we'll decide once we've heard all ideas.  We might come up against the situation where only alongi are caught, so we need to decide whether to reward the biggest alonga caught as the biggest fish award, and 2nd biggest alonga caught.  We might also come up against the situation where the biggest alonga might be heavier in weight than the biggest fish caught.  So what do we do there?.  We might also have a rare opportunity in having the biggest fish and the biggest alonga caught by the same boat.  Again, a dilemma.  These things have been quite rightly brought to my attention, and they are very valid points which I will bring to the committee to discuss.  

[Gogo]

I agree that if no other fish is caught the winner of the biggest other fish should be the runner up following the biggest alonga.
The biggest alonga placing and other biggest fish (apart from alonga) are two separate competitions irrespective of weight. In the remote case that the same boat catches biggest alonga and biggest other fish, I do not see why such a formidable fisherman should not be eligible to both prices.
Another point I wish to raise is the possibility that for the first seven place the winners choose their prize according to placing. It may happen that a third place winner is more interested in the fifth place item as now proposed. Choice of item many a time does not depend on cost but on utility of that specific item. What do you think?

[The_Gaffer]

The MFF together with the Federation officially launched the Oris National Big Game Fishing Tournament in aid of Puttinu Cares last Tuesday, 19 April, at the Pintonino resturant, Valletta Waterfront.  Media crews from One TV and L-orizzont were present for the press conference, and provided good coverage of the event.  The Times featured a small paragraph of the event, followed by full coverage on last Sunday's Sunday Times.  One TV have provided the uncut footage filming of the press conference, and this wil lshortly be featured now on NET TV and PBS.  Arrangements for this are in place.  

On next Sunday's Sunday Times the Tournament will feature in the Yachting and boating suppliment.  We are making arrangements with the 3 main TV stations to get coverage as much as possible.  
Our next confirmed media touchpoint will be during the Puttinu Football marathon on Saturday at 3.15pm, this will be broadcast on the three main TV stations.  

We should shortly have the posters advertising the event printed, and this will provide more exposure to the Tournament, however I am inclined to think that most of the fishing community now are aware of it.
We have encountered a slight delay (about 2 weeks) to issue the commemorative magazine.  Unfortunately, some late incoming adverts caused the delay.  These things happen, as usually either the artwork is not up to spec, or advertisers want last minute changes. We still aim to issue the magazine mid-May, but realistically speaking this date is proving to be a major challenge.

Prize lineup is now complete, tournament logistics are being discussed now within the committee, and things are looking well.  

My last appeal to all of you is to start praying for good weather on the tournament day.

[SEAFOX]

Good weather......plus lots of fish around for all to enjoy!

[shanook]

Hear Hear well done

[Endless Summer]

Will there be regulations on the fishing methods....no of lines ...lures in the water etc.?