The 25th Samoa International Game Fishing Association (SIGFA) Tournament drew to a
thrilling close with Pure Indulgence clinching the coveted championship title for 2024.
Over four exhilarating days, 24 teams, comprising anglers from Australia, New Zealand,
American Samoa, and Samoa, battled the elements and each other in pursuit of victory on
the high seas.
The excitement reached its peak at the prize-giving ceremony held at the SIGFA
headquarters in Matautu on Saturday 4 May, attended by distinguished guests including
the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell, and Samoa Ports
Authority Chief Executive Officer, So'oalo Kuresa So'oalo.
SIGFA President, Vaughan Simpson, expressed his gratitude to the sponsors whose
generous support made the event possible. He also commended the international
camaraderie displayed by the overseas anglers while acknowledging the outstanding
performance of the Samoa teams, who claimed victory in the overall best performing
Country Award.
"The statistics speak volumes," remarked Mr Simpson, reflecting on the record breaking
achievements of the tournament. A total of 110 fish were caught, with an impressive 66
billfish tagged and released, including a Black Marlin, 45 Blue Marlin, one Stripe Marlin, 18
Sailfish, and a Short bill fish. The diverse array of catches also included eight Yellowfin, 12
Mahimahi, 18 Wahoo, two giant Trevally, and two Barracudas.
“On behalf of SIGFA, I extend my gratitude to our esteemed sponsors. Their ongoing
support has been instrumental in bringing the international tournament to life, year after
year” Mr Simpson said. “I also wish to express my appreciation to our international
participants, whose passion for angling has transformed this competition into the success it
is today. However, let’s not forget to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Samoa
teams, who have showcased their dedication and passion for the sport of game fishing and
this year have earned themselves the overall top Country Award.”
A representative from the event's Naming Rights sponsors, Neptune Direct Pacific Line,
Michelle Brunt, extended her appreciation to all participating teams for their contribution to

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the tournament's success. She also paid tribute to SIGFA’s longstanding partners such as
Apia Concrete Products Ltd, especially the late, Tupua Wetzell, fondly known as Uncle
Fred, whose legacy of service and love for the sport of game fishing continues to inspire.
“We are proud to stand alongside SIGFA and be a part of an event that not only promotes
Samoa to the world but also contributes to our economy and sustainable fishing with a
record breaking number of tagged and released bill fish” said Ms Brunt. “I commend the
SIGFA community for their tireless efforts in making this event a success, and I am
confident that the memories created here will resonate for years to come, inspiring future
generations of anglers worldwide."
The achievements of individual anglers added further excitement to the grand finale, with
Ryan Simpson of Fua II taking the coveted title of Top Angler for the second consecutive
year, while Greg Hopping of Team Pure Indulgence secured the Top Skipper award.
Angler Ivan Ah-Liki caught the biggest Barracuda while Niko Caffarelli was the first male
angler to tag and release a Billfish at the tournament. American Samoa’s Sama Fuafanua
on Aya Maria caught the biggest Giant Trevally. Seb Kohlhase took the oldest Angler
award and emerging angler superstar Michael Levi hangs on to the youngest Angler title
Not to be outdone, some of the most outstanding achievements of the tournament came
from the female anglers with Marge Caffarelli of Team Island Time catching the biggest
Yellofin and Karla Meredith from Team Free Spirit, landing the biggest Mahimahi.
American Samoa’s Pafuti Tupua of team Double Trouble once again showed off her game
fishing prowess by hooking the biggest Wahoo of the tournament however this year was
knocked off her podium when the top Female Angler was awarded to Samoa’s Evelyn
Meredith of Team Free Spirit.
Tournament Champions, Team Pure Indulgence have not only won bragging rights as the
winners of this year’s international tournament but have also earned themselves a shot at
the World Offshore Fishing Championship in Costa Rica in 2025. Captain Greg Hopping
expressed his pure delight at the team's victory, noting the record breaking results from the
tag and release efforts at the Neptune, SIGFA International Tournament.
“I want to congratulate my team who worked so hard for the whole week. It’s fantastic that
so many billfish were released, you know that’s a first. As far as the South Pacific is
concerned to release over 60 billfish is a first,” said Mr Hopping. “The fact that every team
that went offshore actually tagged and released a minimum of one blue marlin and that’s
something we can all be proud of. Vaughn and I and the executive and those who have
passed have been working on this for a long time and to see this tournament concentrate
on sustainability of fishing in Samoa is unreal.”
He added, “I’m so proud of everyone and it’s such an amazing time. I also thank the SIGFA
Executive for all the hard work they’ve done, everyone put in such a huge effort.”
The success of the Neptune SIGFA 25th International Tournament was made possible
through the generous support of its sponsors, including Diamond Sponsors: Samoa IBFC,
Apia Concrete Products Limited, Taula Beverages – Samoa, and Samoa Ports Authority.
Platinum Sponsors: Samoa Commercial Bank Ltd, Seb & Rene Sports Ltd, Samoa
Tourism, Ca'Bella Pacific Construction Samoa Ltd.

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Gold Sponsors: TransAm Samoa Ltd, NBS – National Bank of Samoa, Special Occasions
Supply Samoa, Penn & Co, Jason Hansell Electrical, BDO Samoa, Tanoa Samoa Le Well
Company Limited, Bank of South Pacific, and Oceania Gas Limited.
Silver Sponsors: Bluebird Construction, Ott Transport &Engineering, Central Bank of
Samoa, SMI, Lucky Foodtown-Samoa Petroleum Products Supplies, Pacific Aluminum
Ltd,  Troppo Fishing Adventures Samoa  Goldstar Co Ltd,  Stevensons at Manase  HJ
Keil, Samoa ObserverElaine’s Quality FurnishingApia Export Fish Packers LimitedBluebird
Lumber and Hardware RMR Foods Ltd Motor Distributors Ltd, Fiji Airways Tower
Insurance Samoa, Motor Distributors Ltd, Siva Afi
Bronze Sponsors:  Betham Brothers Enterprises Ltd SL EngineeringDelicious cakes Nana
Bellas Shop,  SignsStudio Samoa  Apia Marine Services Ltd, Rasmussen Engineering
Ltd,  Asco Motors Bistro TatauKofe HausVaimoana Resort, Asau, Savaii, Samoa Ah- Liki
Construction, Lee Transport Co Ltd, Motors Ltd, Nourish Cafe Skippys Restaurant, Loibl
Lepea Motors Ltd, Island Grill Restaurant, Hansell Electrical, Beau Rasmussen, Silva
Group, Apia Spare Parts & Accessories, Amoa Hotel, Radio PolynesiaLe Manumea
HotelAmanaki HotelSamoa Airways
Friendship Sponsors: Brighouse Motors, LA Painters, Geogas Samoa Ltd, CCK,
Plumtech, Seafood Gourmet, A Touch of Samoa, DMC, Giordanos Pizzeria, All Things
Sweet,
Starter Pack: SSAB APIA SAMOA