South Carolina Governor's Cup Billfishing Series

landed or released. Anglers compete for three major awards: Outstanding Billfish (single heaviest billfish), Outstanding Billfish Boat (most accumulated points) and Outstanding Billfish Conservationist (most points for tagged and released fish). Only one point per pound is awarded for billfish landed. 600 release points are awarded for blue marlin, 300 points for white marlin, and 200 points for sailfish. Awards are given for the outstanding tuna, dolphin and wahoo, and female and youth angler awards are also presented. A Board of Directors appointed by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Board oversees the Series. The Marine Resources Division helps coordinate the event and provides scientific tags and tagging equipment to Series anglers. Prior to the Governor's Cup, less than ten percent of billfish caught were released. Inspired by the conservation message of the Series, anglers are now releasing record numbers of billfish caught in South Carolina waters.