HAVANA, Cuba.- The 62 Hemingway International Billfishing Tournament starts this Tuesday after being officially inaugurated yesterday with the Captains meeting where the rules of the event were presented.

Rob Kramer, president of the International Association of Sport Fishing said that for him is an honor to be at the opening of the tournament and share with the present fishermen, and wished them the best of luck.

Jose Miguel Diaz Estrich, Commodore of the Hemingway Yacht Club in Cuba and representative of the International Game Fish Association in Havana, told the crew the rules of the event which will run through June 2.

As a basic requirement it was agreed to photograph the specimen they capture, radio the control tower and verify the action, marking and release of a trapped animal, which helps to maintain the species, which has become scarce over time, Estrich said.

Among the regulated elements they also establish that to the extent of the possibilities, to use the circle hook which substantially protects the fish, an item that can become mandatory next year, said the manager.

He said the capture area will spread from the Banes River to Santa Cruz del Norte, bordering the Havana coastline.

There are 17 teams participating in this tourney from France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Latonia, Mexico, Venezuela, the United States and the host country.