Written by  BVI Tourist Board

Could sport fishing become the next greatest addition to the BVIs’ diverse tourism product?

According to Film Commissioner Rhodni Skelton, the British Virgin Islands is ideally poised to build sport fishing into a vast market of outdoor activities that already includes world-renowned sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, and boating. In December 2012, he introduced William Boyce, a photojournalist and executive producer/host of Saltwater Adventures with Bill Boyce for the World Fishing Network (WFN) to the rich waters off of Anegada where the award- winning documentarian discovered the abundant opportunities for sport fishing.

Boyce has travelled the globe in search of the best waters and exotic locales to sport fish – Alaska, Central America, the Western Caribbean, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, the South Pacific, Venezuela, Australia, New Zealand, Seychelles, and British Columbia. His ventures have also taken him to the Virgin Islands where the Atlantic Blue Marlin demands the biggest sport fishing interest in the Atlantic and Caribbean. His arrival to the BVI, however, shocked him.

“What I did not realise until I came to BVI to fish in December is that the most prolific area to fish during these competitions is right off Anegada. Having then surveyed an oceanic chart of the BVI, I can clearly see why these fish congregate there. These waters are incomparable,” Boyce said. “My film crew felt it the first day we spent in the BVI. It’s the friendliest island group in the Caribbean and we all scratched our heads wondering why more sport fishers don’t take advantage of this friendly environment. The only answer we could come up with is that perhaps the BVI doesn’t realise what it has and should take better advantage of their hospitality.”

Sport fishing is a revenue generating sport that stands amongst the most expensive in leisure activities. “The amount of money per day a sport fisher will spend on vacation dwarfs what the average tourist will pay to enjoy the same location. Many sport fishers are extremely affluent and therefore enjoy golf as well. If the wind is blowing or the seas are rough, they will look for other forms of entertainment to amuse themselves on vacation as most are of that mindset,” Mr. Boyce highlighted. “I would rate the BVI as potentially the best kept secret in the Caribbean. I want to get the word out and change that secret to the best fishing destination in the Caribbean.”

Mr. Skelton also pointed to the benefits of bringing sport fishing to the Territory and the coverage that will be generated by this segment. “When anglers see the beauty of the BVI, experience the friendliness of the BVI through this episode and see the amazing fishing to be had both inshore (bonefish – fly fishing) and offshore (marlin, tuna, wahoo, and dolphin) they will quickly surmise the rewards of travelling to our islands and experiencing our entire destination.”

The production is slated to air in June of 2013 across several networks with a combined viewership of over 30 million persons who are especially avid anglers and fishing enthusiasts.

Mr. Skelton went on to say, “the production was undertaken by the BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission, however we could not have done it without the assistance of Lawrence Wheatley of Anegada Reef Hotel and Donnell Flax of Big Ting Fishing Charters.”

About Bill Boyce

Bill Boyce has been active in the angling, conservation, and journalistic aspect of sport fishing his entire life. After 16 years as a fisheries biologist, his career took a turn when interest in his underwater photographs exploded. Now a photojournalist in the sport fishing industry, his underwater video talents have been used in productions around the world. Boyce has been a long standing representative of the IGFA since 1996, and a board member of the NCMC since 2007. IGFA Saltwater Adventures is Bill’s latest television project, chasing world record catches in some of the most spectacular settings on earth.

About World Fishing Network

World Fishing Network is a multi-platform brand that shares in every angler’s passion and adventure for fishing. As the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America, we distribute diverse, engaging content to fishing and outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts.

WFN is the only 24/7 television network dedicated to all segments of fishing with programming that covers instruction, tips, tournaments, travel, food, boating, outdoor lifestyle and more. WFN’s wide-ranging programming lineup includes a selection of the best international series and the most diverse species coverage of any outdoor network. Featuring popular programs hosted by the world’s top anglers, the network also includes a variety of exclusive lifestyle shows including Hookin’ Up with Mariko Izumi and WFN’s Reel Fishy Jobs. WFN also delivers the beauty of fishing in stunning High Definition with WFN HD, which delivers 100 percent High Definition programming 24/7.