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Mangaluru: Swimming races, surfing and boat races are commonly held in the sea, but Mangaluru is now set to witness a rare competition of sea angling, where participants catch fish by casting lines into the ocean.

While many fishing enthusiasts usually take part in angling competitions in lakes within the city, an exclusive sea angling competition has now been organised at the Mangaluru coast. The event is being hosted by Girfed India organisation at the breakwater area north of New Mangalore Port near Panambur on January 24 and 25.

The organisers said a national-level angling competition was first held here in 2017, which saw participation from several states across the country. In 2018, the event was conducted at the international level, with participants from nearly 10 countries including Portugal, Andaman Islands, Dubai, Sharjah, Oman and Malaysia. After a gap of eight years, the competition is being organised once again.

This year too, the event will be held at an international level. However, due to flight-related issues, only NRI participants from countries such as Oman, Dubai, the UK and Canada are expected to take part.

A total of 108 participants have registered for the competition. Organisers said that in previous editions, fish such as queen fish and red snapper were commonly caught. A queen fish weighing 14 kg was caught earlier, which is considered a record.

The competition will be held on January 24 from 6 am to 6 pm and on January 25 from 6 am to 4 pm. Participants will be allowed to sit and cast lines along the rocky stretch of the NMPA breakwater within a 750-metre area.

The first prize for the heaviest fish caught will be Rs 50,000, while the second prize will be Rs 25,000. For those who catch the highest number of fish, the first prize will be Rs 15,000 and the second prize Rs 10,000.

Organisers clarified that this is an angling carnival where all fish caught are weighed and released back into the sea. The use of natural bait is not allowed, and artificial lures are fixed at the end of the fishing rod. The caught fish cannot be used for any purpose. The event will not be open for public viewing.

“We are organising the angling carnival to promote coastal tourism and ensure fish conservation. The response from the public has been encouraging, but the state government has only given assurances and no actual support,” said Anoop Kanchan, co-founder of Girfed India.