One of the Caribbean’s most anticipated annual sport-fishing competitions is gearing up for its comeback after pandemic-related disruptions, with early registration numbers already outpacing last year’s totals and approaching pre-2020 participation levels. The 31st edition of the Republic Bank Saint Lucia International Billfish Tournament, first launched in 1991, is set to kick off later this month, and organizers are holding out hope that this year’s event will draw the largest crowd of competitors in its 32-year history.
After a multi-year hiatus forced by global public health restrictions, the iconic offshore competition was officially opened to participants at a launch event held Friday night at IGY Rodney Bay Marina. Anglers from across Saint Lucia, the broader Caribbean region, North and South America, and Europe have already signed on to compete, marking a full return to the tournament’s traditional international appeal.
Organized under the oversight of the Saint Lucia Game Fishing Association (SLGFA), the 2023 tournament will run from September 22 to 26, with a structured schedule that balances administrative prep, on-water competition, and closing celebrations. The first day is reserved for competitor registration and a mandatory captains’ briefing to review course layouts, rules, and safety protocols. Three full days of offshore fishing follow, before the event wraps with official weigh-ins and an awards ceremony on the final day.
Ryan Devaux, who serves dual roles as SLGFA president and CEO of gold sponsor Terra Caribbean Saint Lucia, shared key registration updates ahead of the tournament: 21 boats have already been confirmed for this year’s competition, up from 18 total participating vessels in 2022. Of this year’s confirmed entries, eight are first-time participants, pushing the total number of competing anglers past 120 – a figure that matches pre-pandemic participation totals. With registration still open and late sign-ups still rolling in, the SLGFA says it remains optimistic that 2023 will see a record-breaking turnout for the tournament.
The event has secured longstanding backing from key public and private stakeholders. Republic Bank (Eastern Caribbean) returns as the title sponsor, alongside government support from Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation through its Alternative Sports Desk.
To align with global sustainable sport-fishing practices, the tournament will operate under official International Game Fish Association rules and utilize a catch-and-release framework for all billfish species. Teams earn points based on successfully releasing blue marlin, sailfish, and white marlin, and are required to submit time-stamped video evidence of each release to tournament officials for verification. For edible gamefish categories, inshore scales at Rodney Bay Marina will be open to weigh catches, with prizes awarded to teams that land the heaviest yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and dorado.
The tournament’s all-time record has stood unbroken for nearly 30 years: the benchmark remains a 707-pound blue marlin caught by Martinique-based angler Jean-Francois Fredonic in 1996. For any competitor that manages to land a larger blue marlin this year, a special grand prize is on offer: a brand-new Jeep.