Young Anglers Take Part In Annual Fishing Competition
Fourteen young anglers aged 7 to 14 took part in the annual GFSA Junior Shore Fishing Competition at Peter Isola Promenade on Sunday.
A statement from the GFSA follows below:
The annual GFSA Junior Shore Fishing Competition was held on Sunday 9th August 2026, from 09:00 to 12:00, on Peter Isola Promenade. The weather was good, with a beautiful levante day that was warm and humid but offered good fishing conditions. Fourteen anglers aged 7 to 14 took part, accompanied by their parents, grandparents or guardians. Many had attended the three preparatory seminars designed to help young anglers develop the skills needed for the competition, and several put those techniques into practice. Others joined simply to enjoy taking part. The section of Peter Isola Promenade used for the event was full of activity, and the young anglers had a great morning. At the end, the adults accompanying them thanked the organisers for hosting such an enjoyable event. The new seminar format introduced this year will be reviewed and refined to better meet the needs of young anglers. Organised in conjunction with GSLA, the event will be further improved next year.
Many fish of different species were caught during the competition. Most were returned to the sea because they were undersized, while some that met the minimum size limit were kept to be cooked and eaten at home. The seminars and competition aim to encourage young people to take an active interest in the environment, identify the fish they catch, return undersized fish safely to the sea, apply the techniques learned in the seminars under the guidance of some of Gibraltar’s most experienced anglers, and enjoy the sport of fishing.
The competition winners in the 11 to 14 age range were:
HEAVIEST FISH – KELVIN
with a Grey Mullet (Lisa) weighing 700 grams.
POINTS AGGREGATE WINNER – OLIVER with 45 points.
And in the 7 to 10 age group
HEAVIEST FISH – HAILEE
with a Sheepshead Bream (Sula) weighing 575 grams.
POINTS AGGREGATE WINNER – HAILEE with 51 points.
In the younger age group, Hailee’s parents said she had not wanted to come fishing, yet she picked up a rod and reel and went on to win both prizes—surely a sign that she is now hooked on the sport. In the older age group, Kelvin retained the trophy he won last year, while Oliver, new to sea angling, did exceptionally well to take the points aggregate prize. For GFSA, however, every participant is a winner. All the youngsters received a medal and a goodie bag with fishing-related gifts. Participation and learning are what matter most, and the Federation hopes to encourage a new generation of responsible anglers in Gibraltar who respect the marine environment.
Fish species caught included Gobies; Grey Mullet (Lisa); Rainbow Wrasse (Doncella); Bronze Bream (Besugo); Horse Mackerel (Jureles); Bogues (Boga); Black Bream (Chopa); Two Banded Bream (Testa Negra); Saddle Bream (Doblada); Various species of Ballen Wrasse (Bodiones); White Bream (Sargo); Combers (Vaquilla) and Sheepshead Bream (Sula).
