Official Statement From The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

The Big Rock Tournament
710 Evans Street, Morehead City, NC 28557
Phone: (252) 247-3575, Website: www.thebigrock.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT – After careful deliberation, it is determined that SENSATION’S 619.4lb Blue Marlin is disqualified.

MOREHEAD CITY, NORTH CAROLINA – June 18, 2023 — After careful deliberation and discussions between the Big Rock Rules Committee and Board of Directors with biologists from both NC State CMAST and a retired NC Marine Fisheries biologist as well as an IGFA official, it was determined that SENSATION’S 619.4lb Blue Marlin is disqualified due to mutilation caused by a shark or other marine animal. It was deemed that the fish was mutilated before it was landed or boated and therefore it was disqualified.

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament follows IGFA rules regarding mutilated fish as outlined in Rule #23 in the Big Rock Official Rules. IGFA rules state that the following situation will disqualify a fish: “Mutilation to the fish, prior to landing or boating the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals, or propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh.”

This decision is consistent with prior decisions made by the tournament in similar circumstances over the last 65 years.

SUSHI has been declared the first-place winner of the 65th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament for their 484.5lb Blue Marlin. CHASIN A claimed second place with their 479.8lb. Blue Marlin. The  470.2lb blue marlin captured by C-STUDENT will finish in third place.

The Big Rock extends its sincere appreciation to the 271 Boats that participated in the record-breaking 65th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.

To learn more about the IGFA rules regarding mutilated fish, visit the following website: