Bahamians, U.S. Enthusiasts Team to Battle Lionfish Invasion, Abaco, Bahamas June 16

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) May 26, 2010 -- ABACO, BAHAMAS, 05/10- - Divers from the U.S. and the Bahamas will unite to battle the Lionfish invasion of the reefs in Abaco, Bahamas on June 16. While beautiful to behold, voracious lionfish are devastating the Bahamian reefs and need to be stopped before they invade U.S. reefs. With their population explosion and aggressive behavior, lionfish could create the most disastrous marine invasion in history by drastically reducing the abundance of coral reef fishes and leaving behind a devastated ecosystem.

To combat this threat, the Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament (TCBT) has added a conservation-minded lionfish spearfish tournament to its agenda and invites the public to participate. While billfish remain the focus of TCBT's standard four days of fishing, the community can help combat the overpopulation of lionfish by entering the separate, one-day Ravage the Savage Lionfish Tournament on Wednesday, June 16. A purse of $500 has been offered by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Scuba gear is permitted. There is a minimal fee of $15 per person or $35 per boat. For information, visit www.treasurecay.com. Treasure Cay's Ravage the Savage is the first leg of the Abaco, Bahamas Lionfish Battlefest week, beginning with Treasure Cay's Ravage the Savage on June 16 and culminating with a lionfish derby held at Green Turtle Resort on June 19.
Billfish Tournament to Offer Guaranteed Payout
The 27th Annual TCBT, with multiple awards for billfish, plus trophies for tuna, dolphin and wahoo, will continue its guaranteed cash payout initiated in 2009, ranging from $10,000 for a minimum of ten boats and up to $50,000 for participation of 50 boats. The tournament offers four days of fishing and a Lay Day, with activities including the new Ravage the Savage Lionfish Tournament, a junkanoo performed by the Treasure Cay Primary School, Izor Line Knot Tying Contest and more.

TCBT registration for billfish and funfish, including boat entry, guaranteed cash eligibility, dinners and cocktail parties for up to 6 team members, goody bag and more discounts is $2,950 per team. Online live scoring is by CatchStat.com. Elective participation for the fun fish division of tuna, dolphin and wahoo entails a payout rivaling top prizes of U.S. based tournaments.
The TCBT is a sanctioned event of the World Billfish Series (WBS) and qualifier for the IGFA Offshore World Championship. For information, contact www.worldbillfishseries.com and www.igfaworldchampionship.com .
The TCBT raises funds for the children of the Treasure Cay Primary School. An average of 275 anglers and guests attend. Registration and photos from the 2009 event, with junior angler Chris Galati, Team Galati named as winner, are on www.treasurecayfishing.com, phone 1-800-327-1584, email: info@treasurecay.com

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