Abstract:
The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, held each June in the Gulf Stream off Morehead City, boasts five decades of history and millions of dollars in prize money. From a humble beginning in 1957, when a few boats competed for a $250 prize, the tournament has grown to 2004's competition with over 200 boats and a $700,000 prize to the winner. Blue marlins are highly prized for their fighting ability. They fight until they are either released or boated, and they have never been captured and kept alive in an aquarium.