Zoom in

Zoom in

Domingo Novo, director comercial de la Marina Hemingway. / Domingo Novo, Marketing Director at Marina Hemingway.

Zoom in

Dargel Machado Millán, especialista de Relaciones Públicas. / Dargel Machado Millán, PR Expert.

THE "ERNEST HEMINGWAY" INTERNATIONAL BILLFISHING TOURNAMENT IS COMING AROUND TO MARINA HEMINGWAY IN HAVANA TO PAVE THE WAY FOR FRIENDLY EXCHANGES BETWEEN ANGLERS AND YACHTSMEN

On May 26, 1950, a billfishing tournament saw the light of day at the Havana International Nautical Club of Havana, that at that time was perched on the Bay of Havana, a club that boasted a famous member: American writer Ernest Hemingway and his Pilar boat.
On the history, rules and perspectives of the event, Excelencias magazine had the opportunity to sit down with Domingo Novo and Dargel Machado Millán, marketing director and PR specialist of Marina Hemingway, respectively.
In the foundation event, 36 boats set out to open what is now known as the “Ernest Hemingway” International Billfishing Tournament, named after the celebrated American writer in tribute to his passion for fishing. That prompted the organizers to propose the idea to Hemingway who eventually accepted it.
“History books have it that Hemingway won the tournament from 1953 to 1955, grabbing several record-breaking captures at that time,” said Machado.
By 1960, following the 1959 revolutionary triumph, the tournament moved to the Marina Hemingway, in its eleventh edition, due to the conveniences this facility has and its location just nine miles west of the Havana Bay. The marina is fitted out with five canals that accommodate some 400 boats each.

A Meeting for the History Books
In 1959, Hemingway, who lived in Cuba, returned to the United States and decided to come back in 1960 to present the awards for the event that took place that year, which had the participation of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.
The couple of anglers won this edition by a greater score of points. That resulted in a famous picture in which Fidel Castro and the American writer pose together. That was recorded in history as the moment in which both personalities posed together for the first time. From that moment on, they agreed to see each other on a regular basis, but time never gave a chance to do so.
The tournament was kept to local anglers until 1978, when it opened to the world and took its current name –the specialist explained– although it is from 1992 when it takes on greater strength, due to the foundation of the Havana International Nautical Club, a move that allowed for greater exchanges between local clubs and foreign anglers, especially Americans, who have always attended the event. But following the foundation of the club, twinning agreements, closer approaches to the angler and yachter communities and other developments brought about a more profound interest in the event.

Tag and Release
The sport is governed by the tag and release fishing method, which was introduced in Cuba in 1996, through The Billfish Foundation and the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), two international institutions that rule these kinds of events.
This technique guarantees that marine species do not suffer and that the event is only for sporting purposes, with a positive impact on the conservation of marlins as it makes a significant dent on fish’s death rate.
Circular hooks were then introduced in an effort to make the releasing of the marlins much easier. Once the hook gets in contact with saltwater, it starts to degrade quickly.
These are techniques that are being used in the tournament in a bid to respect nature and preserve this marine species, so that marlins, under the current regulations, cannot be brought on board the boats. In case of an accidental death, the angler must be duly prove his proceedings before a jury by providing footage or snapshots of the capture. Only then the capture is rendered null.

MARLIN MARINA HEMINGWAY'S NAUTICAL EVENTS

» “Ernest Hemingway” International Billfishing Tournament (May 29 to June 3).
» Game Fish Cuba, June 10-15 (conducted with the U.S.). This year’s edition will feature two settings: Varadero and Marina Hemingway.
» Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament (Sept. 11-16). This event will hold its second edition after being rescued from its possible demise.
» Wahoo Fishing Tournament, December 6-9, is an event that was practiced in the Bahamas until its organizers decided to make Cuba its venue of choice.