Holbox Prepares for 27th International Sport Fishing Tournament

Holbox, Quintana Roo — The 27th International Sport Fishing Tournament in Holbox will open Quintana Roo’s fishing calendar on Saturday, April 4, with events continuing through November in Calderitas, Chetumal, the National Fishing Commission (Conapesca) announced.

Organizers will host a “Captains’ Dinner” on Friday, April 3, with support from the state government and Lázaro Cárdenas municipality, bringing together participants and officials from all three levels of government.

Tournament activities on April 4 begin at 7 a.m. with the starting signal for participating vessels near the Whale Shark dock. Winners will receive awards at 6 p.m. for first, second, and third place.

“We invite all fishermen to participate in this tournament in Holbox, to come with their families to spend pleasant days on this paradise island,” said municipal president Josué Nivardo Mena Villanueva. “This activity not only promotes sports and healthy coexistence but also generates significant economic benefits for all tourism service providers, reaching maximum capacity during these days with important economic spillover for all businesses.”

He explained that from the moment participants’ families arrive at the Chiquilá port, they consume food and souvenirs, park their vehicles, then take ferries from two shipping companies to Holbox. Upon arrival, taxi drivers, hotels, and local merchants all benefit, creating “circular economy” effects.

Requirements

Tournament organizers announced participation requirements: all fishermen must be at least 13 years old, of any gender or nationality, using rod and reel fishing equipment. Boats must be at least 22 feet in length.

“Without exception, every fisherman must have a valid Individual Sport Fishing Permit (4 permits per vessel). It is the fishermen’s responsibility if they violate current fishing laws. This will be a requirement for tournament registration and prize delivery. Only four fishermen, one captain, and one sailor may participate—avoid overcrowding on the vessel,” according to requirements.

Each vessel must have radio communication equipment in good condition, a maritime safety certificate issued by the Port Captaincy (including life jackets, fuel, purified water, flare lights, oars, etc.). Competing vessels must carry mandatory digital video recording equipment to present video recordings as proof of catch, with smartphones as primary equipment for sending to the video judge (9982182806).

Finally, the Organizing Committee is strict about cheating: participants caught attempting to deceive the organizing committee and/or judges will be immediately disqualified, permanently banned from the tournament venue, barred from participating in upcoming tournaments for the current year and the next five years, and publicized (press, electronic media) in Quintana Roo and throughout the country.