MIAMI, FL (January 14) - In a first-of-its-kind event, The Sailfish Tournament presented by Bill Ussery Motors, at Miami Beach Marina became the world's first carbon-negative fishing tournament. A total of 23 boats and 124 anglers competed in the event, with the "Four Aces" team proving just as unbeatable as their namesake, catching and releasing ten sailfish to take top honors. The tournament also completed its pledge to balance its carbon ledger, using a portion of the proceeds to offset its carbon footprint.

Fishing Saturday, the fleet spread out offshore from Dania Beach south to Triumph Reef. A 10-15 knot S-SW wind held fishing to a slow but steady bite for the first part of the day, with 32 sailfish released up until one o'clock. Only eight additional fish were called in during the final three hours. With lines out at 4pm the boats returned to Miami Beach Marina with their catch cards and photos of the releases for review by the judges committee.

As the sun set on the first day and the crews partied at the dock to reggae music and a BBQ, "4 Aces "skipper Joe Turner sat atop the leader board with 7 releases followed by the "Get Lit" with 5 and the "Miss Britt II" with 4 releases.

Day Two dawned with a 5 knot breeze out of the southwest and temperatures in the low 70's. The "Get Lit," with Capt. Quinton Dieterle at the helm, released the first fish of the day at 8:40am to pull within one fish of the "4 Aces," but the leader countered with a release of its own just two minutes later. The "Get Lit" then tied for the lead with another release and a double header at 10:47am.

While this battle raged on the "Night Prowler," with team members Adam Yunis, John Salom, Daniel Uribe and Ryan Alexander, added to their Day One total of 2 with a run of 5 more releases. Also entering the fray, the "Jichi," with Ricky Linder at the helm, released 5 sails. At 11:55 am the "4 Aces" let another sail go in what proved to be their winning fish with the final 3 hours producing only a few bites. The "Get Lit" added another to tie again but, that was how the day ended.

At the awards ceremony, Captain Dan Kipnis, tournament director, congratulated a packed room of tired anglers and their families for taking part in a historic event, the world's first carbon-negative fishing tournament. Kipnis thanked tournament partners Environmental Defense and the National Wildlife Federation for their generous support and leadership and vowed to continue the move toward having all tournaments cover their carbon footprints in the future.

Before an incredible dinner the Tournament presented the Grand Champion award and a $42,223 check to the "4 Aces' team of Peter Adrian, top overall and top lady angler Debbie David, 6 releases, Jimmy David, Iggie Quintana and Albert Hernandez. Runner up went to "Get Lit" and the team of Kit Toomey, Peter Miller, Jon Cooper, Claudio Martinez and Kelly Mayo taking home trophies and a check for $14,077. "Night Prowler" placed third with 7 releases, taking home $11,797. Also in the money in fourth place, the "Jichi" pocketed $10,080 and 5th place "Miss Britt II," $2,667.

The Sailfish Tournaments inaugural year marked a turning point in the fight against global warming with anglers leading the way in protecting our cherished ocean resources.

For a CNN story on the Sailfish Tournament please go to:

http://homepage.mac.com/belvinc/filechute/Tournament2.wmv