Welcome to the North Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Conservation Series!  The North Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Conservation Series is an annual sportfishing series operating cooperatively with seven major billfish tournaments held along the Tar Heel coast.  The Series, managed by the Division of Marine Fisheries promotes conservation, protection, and preservation of our marine resources.  Participating boats or teams are awarded Series points for billfish caught and released and for billfish taken which met tournament minimum size requirements.  Penalty points are assessed for undersized fish taken, the emphasis being on fish released.  Trophies are awarded to boats with the most points in both the “Private Boat” and “Charter Boat” categories.  Individual awards are given to the outstanding junior boy, outstanding junior girl and lady anglers.  In addition, trophies are awarded for the largest blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and dolphin.
2009 Governor's Cup Participating Tournaments
HATTERAS VILLAGE OFFSHORE OPEN May 12 - 17 Hatteras     Phone: 1-800-676-4939	BARTA BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB BILLFISH TOURNAMENT July 16 – 18 Beaufort     Phone: 252-808-2286
SWANSBORO ROTARY 2009 MEMORIAL DAY BLUE WATER FISHING TOURNAMENT May 22 – 24 Swansboro     Phone: 252-422-9100	21st ANNUAL DUCKS UNLIMITED BILLFISH TAG AND RELEASE TOURNAMENT July 30 – August 1 Morehead City     Phone: 252-237-3717
BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT June 6 – 13 Morehead City     Phone: 252-247-3575	PIRATE'S COVE 26th ANNUAL BILLFISH TOURNAMENT August 10 - 14 Manteo     Phone: 1-800-422-3610
CAPE FEAR BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT June 25 - 28 Wrightsville Beach     Phone: 910-686-9778 or 910-799-2895

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Governor's Cup Billfishing Conservation Series Randy Gregory, PO Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557 e-mail: Randy.Gregory@ncdenr.gov or govcup@ncdenr.gov 252-726-7021 or 1-800-682-2632