A large crowd gathered at Boardwalk on Saturday afternoon for the Seychelles fishing competition known as Hook and Challenge, held as part of the country’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The National Day Celebration Committee organised the event. It marked the first time a fishing competition formed part of the official programme.
Seven boats registered for the competition. According to the rules, vessels had to leave Mahé from 02:00 and return to Boardwalk by 16:00 on the same day. Crews targeted 10 species of demersal fish using bottom fishing techniques with rod and reel or handline.
The top prize stood at 50,000 Seychelles rupees. The runner-up received 10,000 rupees, while winners in individual categories received 2,000 rupees each. There were 10 categories in total.
The first boat to return was EZDOU at 15:00. Its catch included an Emperor red snapper weighing 8.8kg.
Top Secret arrived second with several catches, including a Great Amberjack weighing 24.40kg. The fish, locally known as “saumon”, is a large predatory species found in deep waters.
The vessel also landed a 12.16kg yellowfin rusty jobfish, locally known as Zob zonn, caught by Kamal Jean-Baptiste. The catch was certified as a world record by the International Game Fish Association, surpassing the previous 10.5kg record set in 2019.
“It means the world to me. It’s my first international world record and I feel great about it,” said Mr Jean-Baptiste. “I would like to thank the team for the support and it was very nice, I had a good time.”
Other boats that returned on time included AquaHolic, Dream and PAOLA. Skip Jack and Sea Mist were disqualified after failing to return before the 16:00 deadline.
Top Secret won seven of the 10 categories and secured first place overall. The team, led by Captain Hansel Payet, said it would donate the prize money to charity.
PAOLA finished as runner-up, winning two categories, and also committed to donating its prize money. EZDOU placed third overall.
There were no winners in one category, as no vessel caught a Warsaw grouper.
Penny Belmont, Vice Chairperson of the 50th National Day organising committee, said the event had been successful.
“I think it is a good thing what we started, not only for the 50th anniversary, but it should continue because we believe there is a thirst for such activity where people love to participate,” she said.