A fishing team that managed to reel in a huge 619-pound blue marlin in a match off the coast of North Carolina has been disqualified from the tournament and will lose $3.5 million in prize money after their catch was found to be mutilated.
The fishermen, on a boat called Sensation, battled with the fish for six hours as they tried to get it on board.
But it was all for naught after the team was banned from competition on Sunday by tournament organizers due to damage possibly caused by a shark.
It means that most of the huge prize pool will now be handed over to the team that landed second aboard the ship, Sushi.
Their blue marlin catch weighed significantly less at 484.5 pounds.
Sensation’s crew and their 619-pound blue marlin are pictured with their catch before being disqualified from the tournament after the fish was noticed to be mutilated
The Sensation crew tries to drag the fish to the dock on their own on Saturday night
The huge fish is seen being brought ashore – ready to be weighed
The fish is then hung and lifted into the air to be weighed
Tournament officials say the decision to award the runner-up the prize money is in line with rules followed throughout the event’s 65-year history.
“After careful consultation and discussions between the Big Rock Rules Committee and the Board of Directors with biologists from both NC State CAST and NC Marine Fisheries biologists, as well as an IGFA official, it was determined that SENSATION’S 619.4lb Blue Marlin has been disqualified for mutilation caused by a shark or other marine animal,” said a statement from the organizers.
“The fish was believed to have been mutilated prior to landing or boating and was therefore disqualified,” they continued.
“The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament follows IGFA Rules regarding Mutilated Fish as outlined in Rule. #23 in the Big Rock Official Rules. IGFA rules state that the following situation will disqualify a fish: “Mutilation of the fish, prior to landing or sailing the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals or propellers removing or entering the flesh.”
“This decision is consistent with previous decisions the tournament has made in similar circumstances over the past 65 years.”
A statement from the organizers explained why Sensation’s catch was disqualified from the tournament
One of Sensation’s devastated crew members is comforted after their disqualification from the tournament
The crew of the Sensation battled for six hours to get the huge catch on board
SUSHI has been named the first place winner of the 65th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament for their 484.5 lb Blue Marlin. CHASIN A took second place with their 479.8Ib. Blue marlin. The 470.2 pound blue marlin caught by C-STUDENT will come in third place.”
When Sensation finally docked at Big Rock Landing Saturday night, a massive crowd eagerly awaited the weigh-in as the champion was determined.
When the marlin’s weight of a staggering 619.4 pounds was announced, there was a cheer from the crew and the crowd of thousands who had gathered to watch.
Although Sensation, based in Morehead City, made a triumphant return with its catch to Big Rock Landing on the final day of the tournament, the presence of a shark bite near the head was noticed by the tournament’s weight masters and brought to the attention of the crew of the boat. .
The team that was thought to be second, Sushi, is celebrating after finishing first
Shushi celebrates with their massive $2.77 million prize pool
Sushi’s crew eventually took first prize after their 484.5-pound blue marlin won
Sushi’s crew are seen open-mouthed after learning that they took first place
After a lengthy discussion between the crew and tournament officials, it was decided that the marlin would be eligible the following morning.
Officials ruled against them and so awarded the crew of the boat Sushi, from Nags Head, as the winner.
Sushi will according to the Jacksonville daily news.
Sensation would have gotten a bigger payout due to their catch of over 500 pounds, as Sushi didn’t cross that threshold.
The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament has become extremely popular in recent years with over 270 boats taking part in this final competition.
Jacob Runyan, 42, of Broadview Heights, Ohio, and Chase Cominsky, 35, of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, are sentenced to 10 days in jail and other punishments
The pair (pictured) originally won the tournament, but they were replaced by Steve Hendricks after the weights were found. The first prize in the tournament totaled approximately $28,000
Fishing tournaments often have a lot of money at stake – and some will do anything to win the top prize.
Last month, two men who admitted cheating at a fall 2022 fishing tournament in Ohio were sentenced to 10 days in prison and other penalties, including the forfeiture of a boat worth $100,000.
Jacob Runyan, 43, and Chase Cominsky, 36, were sentenced in Cleveland after pleading guilty to cheating in March.
The pair had competed in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail Tournament when director Jason Fischer became suspicious that the fish the duo brought in seemed significantly heavier than typical walleye.
A crowd of people in Cleveland’s Gordon Park watched as Fischer sliced open the freshwater fish and found lead weights and walleye fillets stuffed down the fish’s throat to come out on top in the tournament.
The dramatic discovery of the processed fish was filmed and posted to social media, which showed the tournament director pulling lead weights from the fish’s guts
Runyan and Cominsky originally won the tournament, but they were replaced by Steve Hendricks after the weights were found and they were disqualified.
The first prize in the tournament totaled approximately $28,000.
As part of their plea, Runyan and Cominsky also agreed to suspend their fishing licenses for three years. Cominsky agreed to give up his $100,000 bass boat.
Prosecutors agreed to drop the charges of attempted grand larceny and possession of criminal tools.
Once the couple has served their 10-day prison sentence, they will receive a year and a half of probation and must each pay a $2,500 fine — though half of the fine will be waived if they each make a $1,250 donation to a non-profit organization that promote fishing with children.