PORT MARIA, St Mary — Organisers of Pagee Blue Marlin tournament are disappointed that they have not had the level of local sponsorship they had hoped but they are looking forward to Sunday’s third staging of the event.

“This is one of the biggest family events where communities such as Pagee, Islington, Highgate and as far as Portland come and give support. Only one business in the Port Maria area has reached out but they are yet to confirm,” a disappointed organiser Lawrence “Jerry” Housen told the Jamaica Observer on Thursday.

Organiser of the Pagee Blue Marlin tournament Lawrence “Jerry” Housen is disappointed that there has not been more local support for the home-grown event. Photos: Ingrid Henry

He and other fishermen came together to stage the tournament as they thought it would be best for the community to have its own event.

“We always participate in the Portland Marlin Tournament. When we look at it we have the most fishermen, so we decided to start our own tournament and 15 of us came together and from our own pockets the Pagee Blue Marlin Tournament was born,” Housen explained.

Undaunted by the disappointing response from potential sponsors in the immediate area, he said the 185 fishermen expected to participate are eager to get out on the water.

“We have fishermen who will be vying for the Blue Marlin Trophy coming from Oracabessa, Rio Nuevo, Ocho Rios, Portland and as far as Montego Bay,” Housen said.

“Thank God for them and this year’s plus is we have Pepsi as our main sponsors. We do hope for the fourth staging we will have more sponsors so our fishermen will have shirts and look more organised,” he added.