Photos: Kyle Aliven.
The Majuro Looj Club’s goal is to educate children in the traditional methods of trolling for Looj tuna in the lagoon, with a particular focus on the revered and rare fish formally known as the Pacific Bonito and locally as Looj.
If the May 3 Looj Tournament is any indication, the Majuro Looj Club is delivering on this plan in A+ fashion.
The tournament Saturday featured a great turnout of 19 boats with about 60 kids and boat owners participating.
Looj Club organizer Steven Wakefield, Jr. told the Journal: “By passing on this cultural knowledge, we aim to preserve and celebrate the unique fishing heritage of our islands while fostering a sense of responsibility and pride in our youth.”
Numerous sponsors lined up to support prizes for the tournament, including Bank of Marshall Islands, Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, Majuro Atoll Local Government, The Reginald White Foundation, Annie’s Bakery/Yu-Hao Wang, Whitney Loeak and the Majuro Urok Club.
The prize winners were:
- 1st place biggest and total Looj (10.4lb) went to Team ‘Kottar Ta’ Jayjay Muller, Dad, Joshua Muller, Jimma Rantly Kattil and team.
- 2nd place Looj was caught on ‘WanaBe’ Captain Jeff Zebedy and anglers Genesis Helkena, Jiji Helkena, Jerson Zackios.
Only two Looj were caught during the tournament.
A side bet went to Team Kirtake, Mahi deBrum and Jimma Ronnie Reimers with their 15.80lb dogtooth tuna.