Long before the boats pushed off, people in Sipalay knew the tournament meant more than bragging rights. It was about protecting their waters—and showing that fishing and tourism can thrive without taking more than the sea can give.
That purpose came to life during the third Sipalay City Game Fishing Tournament, held on June 21–22, along the shores of Poblacion Beach. It drew 60 anglers across the Visayas and carried the theme, “Hooked on Balance: Catching the Right Size for Sustainable Seas and Tourism.”
Participants engaged in six to seven hours of jigging in Sipalay’s waters, aimed at promoting responsible fishing practices while supporting local livelihoods and tourism.
Among them were fathers, friends, advocates, and professionals from cities like Bacolod, San Carlos, Talisay, Iloilo, and even Dumaguete.
Timothy James Ligan, a local from Sipalay, made history with a 34.8-kilogram dogtooth tuna that stretched nearly one and a half meters.
But it wasn’t just the fish that drew applause — it was what it represented. Proof that the sea, when respected and protected, still gives back generously.
Mayor Gina Montilla told Brigada News Philippines on Tuesday, June 24, that the tournament “exposed our local anglers to the real world of fishing that is mindful of our local laws and enjoyable at the same time”.
“It also showcased the variety of fish caught if only the right and sustainable way of fishing is employed. It attracted fishing enthusiasts from different provinces—with some coming from Dumaguete, Cebu, Iloilo, and others,” she said.
She didn’t mind that the tournament didn’t draw a huge crowd. “It might not be a crowd drawer given that most action is done off the coast, but it supports our ‘less carbon footprint’ concept of tourism,” Montilla said.
Sustainable fishing
The tournament, first held in 2019 through the initiative of the Sipalay Anglers Club, was launched to promote sport fishing and strengthen the city’s sports tourism while advocating for sustainable fishing practices.
According to Keth Pedrosa, the tournament’s focal person and member of the anglers club, the tourney was a way to inspire meaningful change in how locals fish and connect with the sea.
He said he has witnessed the long-term damage caused by overfishing and harmful coastal methods. “It started as our way of enticing anglers and even local fishermen to adopt the sustainable way of fishing, including shifting from traditional net fishing — which can contribute to overfishing — to line fishing with hooks.”
“Above all, it’s about us — who we are, our existence, our purpose, our community. It’s about stewardship of Mother Nature,” he said.
The tournament logged 46 fishes caught, weighing a total of 114.65 kilograms. Among the heaviest standout catches after Ligan’s were Alvie Vecinal’s 8.95-kilogram barracuda and a 5.40-kilogram black scabbardfish landed by Eugene Mondragon of San Carlos City.
Beyond the water, the tournament lifted those who’ve long lived by the tides. Twenty-nine (29) local boat operators ferried participants during the event — turning a fishing tournament into a livelihood lifeline.
The city named Simeon Pelario Jr. as Best Boatman Champion, with Dexter Pelario and Gerald Lumagbas earning first and second place honors, respectively.
Based on the data of the City Tourism Office, special awards went to Clint Cipress Lumanog for his rare catch of a three-tooth puffer, Eugene Miguel Mondragon for hauling in the most number of catches, and Gian Guanco for reeling in the longest catch—a 150-centimeter silver scabbardfish.
Conservation
Jerick Lacson, Sipalay’s tourism officer, believed that this year’s edition of the fish tournament showed what a united community can do when it protects what it loves.
“The success of the 3rd Sipalay City Game Fishing Tournament is a clear reflection of our city’s long-standing commitment to marine conservation and protection,” he said.
Lacson added, “What we are enjoying today — the abundance of fish, the thriving marine ecosystems, and the opportunities they create — is the result of years and decades of collective effort to safeguard our coastal resources.”
Lacson also emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism, noting that, “by promoting sustainable tourism, especially during lean months, we are supporting the local economy while reinforcing our mission to protect the very resources that make Sipalay exceptional.”
Meanwhile, all fish species were allowed for catch during the tournament, except those classified as endangered by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Sea mammals, sharks, and rays were strictly prohibited to ensure compliance with national conservation laws and reinforce the city’s commitment to sustainable and responsible fishing practices, the tourism officer said.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.