Seventy anglers participated in a two-day 2013 Tanga Open Fishing Competition held here over the weekend to display their fishing talents in the Indian Ocean under the sponsorship of Tanga Cement Company Limited (TCCL).
The participants in this year’s event nicknamed ‘Lady Diana 3’ were in 13 teams with four to six anglers each, but ladies were in one boat only.
The Tanga Cement Managing Director, Reinhardt Swart, said the company was proud to be the main sponsor of one of Tanga region’s social events that attracted Tanga business community, employees of TCCL and other individuals for the fourth time. He said the participants were from Moshi, Dar es Salaam and hosts Tanga.
Five of the 13 boats were for TCCL employees sponsored by the company for US$4,410. “This time around we are lucky to have only one ladies’ boat. I believe they will show their fishing talents and add value to this event that has been organised by Tanga Yacht Club,” he said.
One of the participants, Asif Ganijee from Tanga, who got nothing in the first day of the event, complained that the event has turned to be tougher than the previous ones because of water pollution caused by illegal fishing.
“I am in the fishing industry for more than 10 years but illegal fishing by using gunpowder has worsened things,” he said.
“Gunpowder destroys fish laying areas like corals and if no serious measures are taken, the whole Tanga coastline will have no fish,” he said. He said they have reported the matter to the authorities but in vain.
The event was expected to end yesterday evening with the winners and other participants getting awards and fishing gear. The TCCL total sponsorship of this event, including attires, was 9.2m/-.
Other sports events that the TCCL has sponsored this year include the ITF/CAT Junior championship that took place in January this year at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club and the Kilimanjaro Marathon in Moshi in March.
Source Tanzania Daily News