In a disappointing turn of events, a massive blue marlin weighing 619 pounds was disqualified from the 65th Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in North Carolina. The disqualification occurred due to apparent bite marks found on the marlin’s flesh, costing the crew of the boat Sensation a title and prize money totaling over $3.5 million.
The fishermen aboard the Sensation believed they had secured victory by catching the winning fish, surpassing the 500-pound mark and earning an additional $739,500. However, their hopes were shattered when tournament officials discovered a chunk missing from the marlin’s side during the weighing process, leading to its disqualification.
According to the regulations set by the International Game Fish Association, a fish is rendered ineligible to win if it sustains damage before being landed or brought onto the boat. Such damage can be caused by sharks, other fish, mammals, or propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh.
Consequently, the tournament title and the first prize of $2.77 million went to the boat named Sushi, whose crew successfully reeled in a marlin weighing 484.5 pounds. The disqualification was undoubtedly a bitter disappointment for the Sensation’s captain, Greg McCoy, who described it as a difficult pill to swallow.
Image: YahooSports
Source: YahooSports
