USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament

WELCOME 2011 OBSERVERS!
Dear Observer Applicant, Thank you for your interest in becoming an observer. We operate fishing tournaments for the benefit of the Boy Scouts of America and the youth programs that we support. We are an all volunteer organization that has offered years of proof that angling for high dollar stakes does not require the fish to be put on the dock! To our knowlege, we were the first tournament in the world to release blue marlin. Our "modified release" format has provided a model for others to emulate and because of our efforts... thousands of blue marlin have been released! We thank the observers who have returned year after year for they are the ones who have made this possible! In photo right are the pioneers of the 2004 Bermuda Triangle Series (BTS) held in beautiful Harbour Island, Bahamas. The decision a tournament operator must make... Tournament operators must state in their rules the definition of a "legal catch". Doing so, they must elect one of three options: 1. Ask the anglers to trust fellow anglers (usually not a popular option in big money tournaments). 2. Use cameras to verify the species (photographers often miss getting a shot of the fish). 3. Provide a pair of human eyes to witness the angler's catch from start to finish, including the following of IGFA angling rules. We believe that our our clients are best served under the watchful eyes of an experienced observer. However... the choice of providing observers is an expensive option and not one that many tournaments can afford. In most cases the observers must be flown in, housed, fed and transported to the marinas on a daily basis. How we've managed to provide observers.... We've been successful at making a profit for the Boy Scouts (our primary mission) and providing for observers by asking our observers to help subsidize their cost. In return ... we offer observers a tax deduction and the promise of a great time! The amount of donation depends on the tournament's location and our cost of operation. Can't afford to observe for us out of pocket? There is other option... but you'll have to make the effort. Find yourself a sponsor who strongly supports billfish conservation and can use the tax benefit. Most businesses can write the expense off as a business promotion or as a donation. You are authorized on behalf of the tournament to hang a sponsor banner and place their brochures out during any event. Sponsor and observer checks are made out to: VI Council, Boy Scouts of America. Mail to: ABMT, 6616 Estate Nadir, St. Thomas, VI 00802.

PLEASE READ - IMPORTANT INFORMATION To observe our tournaments you must be in good standing with our organization and the fishing community in general. If you are not IGFA Certified (with current badge) or ABMT Certified (with badge) you must be recommended by someone who is known by the ABMT Tournament Director. This is normally a captain member of our Board of Captains (BOC) see Captains or a well known charter captain or tackle shop owner in areas where we don't have a BOC member located. Once recommended, observers submit their application via fax or email or in person. Your application becomes our working file on you and no one is accepted without this application. Fax: 340-779-8605. Scan and email to loveto@islands.vi. After sending in the application, please follow up with a personal call to insure that we've received it and for an interview regarding your fishing experience. Call Capt. Jimmy Loveland toll free 1-888-234-7484 or 340-775-9500 or cell 340-626-3139. Please do not send your observer donation in advance of your being accepted. We select our observers based on the number of boats entered, the observer's experience and years of ABMT service. Note! Early in the year we have no idea of how many observers will be needed. If you submit an applicantion and don't hear from us you are urged to contact us regarding your status. Call toll free 1-888-234-7484 or 340-775-9500. CHOOSE THE TOURNAMENT YOU WISH TO OBSERVE IN! OBSERVER APPLICATION HERE 2011 SPANISH MAIN Series (SMS) - EXCITING 3 LEG CARIBBEAN SERIES
Leg #1. 'DOMINICAN OPEN' Cap Cana in conjunction with Rick Alvarez's International Billfish Shootout - Fishing Dates: June 1,2,4, 2011 - Observers must call Rick Alvarez at 305-213-5521 for more information.info.
Leg #2. 'USVI OPEN' St. Thomas - Fishing Dates Aug. 10-11-12-14, 2011. Observers must be on island Aug. 8, 2011. Call for info.
Leg #3 'BVI OPEN' TBA Night #1 in Anegada, TBA Night #2, TBA Night #3. Call for additional info.
2011 BERMUDA TRIANGLE SERIES (BTS) This is a series of Blue Water Tournaments!
Leg #1. 'BAHAMAS OPEN' Held at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour. Fishing Dates May 25-26-28, 2011. Observer provides own airfare. Observer fee $150. Hotel and meals are supplied. Observers must be on island May 12, 2011.
Leg #2. 'BERMUDA OPEN' Hamilton, Bermuda. Fishing Days June TBA 2011. Observer provides own airfare. $200 Observer fee. Hotel and meals supplied. Call for info.
Leg #3.'USVI OPEN' St. Thomas - Fishing Aug. 10-11-12-14, 2011 Observer's apply for ABMT "Boy Scout" Tournament (see information below).
39th. Annual USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament The "Boy Scout" Tournament USVI Open/ABMT "Boy Scout" - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands - Observers must be checked into the host hotel TBA on August 8, 2011. You are free to depart from your tournament obligation on August 15, 2011. We fish Aug. 10-11-12-14, 2011. The observer's mandatory meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on Aug. 9, 2011 at the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club (Red Hook across from the AYH marina). NOTE TO 2011 ABMT OBSERVERS! THERE IS NOT A GROUP FLIGHT - YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BOOK YOUR OWN FLIGHT. OBSERVER FEES ARE STRUCTURED AS FOLLOWS: ENTRY LEVEL (one-time courtesy towards ABMT certification) - $300 ABMT CERTIFIED - GREEN $300 - SILVER $200 - GOLD $100 IGFA CERTIFIED (without ABMT certification) - $300 PROFESSIONAL (must be a working captain or mate - $0 LOCAL OBSERVER (St. Croix, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, BVI) - $0 SPOUCE PARTICIPANT (entrance to banquets and ground transportation) - $150 Tax Deductible checks are written to: BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA. Fee covers observer's airport transfer, all meals, daily r/t transportation to marinas, entrance to all banquets and hotel accommodations (shared rooms). The afternoon flights of Spirit, Delta and American will be met by local ground transportation operator. A current passport is the best document to travel with. If you do not have a passport you can travel to the US Virgin Islands without one... but we advise you to bring along your birth certificate and other forms of identification. Arrive the airport two hours in advance. Note - Observer fees must be paid in full two weeks prior to any scheduled tournament. Make checks payable to: VI Council, Boy Scouts of America. Mail to: ABMT, 6616 Estate Nadir, St. Thomas, VI 00802. OBSERVER'S MANDATORY 5 DAY CHECK-IN POLICY A mandatory "check in" is required 5 days prior to the first day of scheduled fishing. The reason is to communicate last minute flight, weather (hurricane season is upon us) and hotel information and to make sure everyone is set to travel. If you are a 'no call' we must assume that your plans have changed without informing us! Call the tournament office toll free, 1-888-234-7484 or (340) 775-9500. Cell is (340) 626-3139. Mark your calendar now - good communications are vital to the operation of our tournaments!