Citation stripped of big prize
By Courtesy thebigrock.com
Published in Sports on June 23, 2010 1:46 PM
Courtesy
thebigrock.com
MOREHEAD CITY -- Carnivore gets the big payday.
Citation violated the Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament rules and was disqualified after an investigation by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries and N.C. Attorney General's office.
The Citation crew caught -- at the time -- a record-setting, 883-pound blue marlin on June 14. However, it was later discovered the "mate" on board committed a rule violation by not having a Coastal Recreational Fishing License. The license is required by North Carolina law.
Participants and crew were reminded of the license requirement at the Captains' meeting prior to the tournament. The mate engaged in fishing activities without the valid license and later obtained the license at 5:51 p.m. while heading to the weigh station.
Citation caught the blue marlin at 3:16 p.m.
"The rule violation did not involve 'dishonesty' or 'cheating' on the part of the owners or angler of the 'Citation'," said the Board of Directors in a written statement. "For the integrity of the Tournament, Big Rock has no choice but to enforce the rules and disqualify the fish."
Carnivore, captained by Ed Petrilli, seized the first-place prize of $999,453 after angler John Parks caught a 528-pound blue marlin. Wet-N-Wild, captained by Tony Ross, claimed second place after angler Joseph Engleby secured a 460-pound blue marlin. The crew earned a $275,322 payday.