Started by the late avid Virgin Islands' angler, Chuck Senf back in 1972 - and nicknamed The Boy Scout Tournament since a portion of the proceeds have always benefited the VI Council of the Boy Scouts of America, one of Senf's favorite charities - the USVI Open /ABMT has evolved into one of the most competitive saltwater sports fishing events in the world. It's one of events making up Bisbee's World Billfish Series and is a qualifier for the Rolex-IGFA Invitational "Tournament of Champions".

All along, it has been Loveland, who has been the mover-shaker tournament director, building both quality and prestige into the event. "To construct a tournament that the Florida, as well as local fishermen, would be sufficiently enticed to enter, necessitated a precise set of rules," Loveland explains. "In addition to the basic, IGFA (International Game Fishing Association) rules, we had to write a special set of regulations which would tighten and expand on those proffered by the IGFA." These special rules included an Observer Program and Board of Captains, as well as the first for 400-pound minimum catch and release.

This year, the 37th anniversary of the tournament, will mark the 21st year since a blue marlin as been boated or killed. Anglers earn points for releasing a fish, and it is the number of fish released and who releases that number first that wins the tournament. "We attribute this 'release success' to the trust established in our observer program (most observers are professional sports fishermen) and the desire of the anglers to let the fish go," Loveland says.

An enduring testament to the tournament's success is its contribution to charity. In past years, over $140,000 was raised for the Virgin Islands Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Tournament check-in is at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Resort (340) 777-7100 on August 1, 2009. The participant’s mandatory meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on Aug. 2, 2009 at the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club (in Red Hook across from American Yacht Harbour).

Fishing gets underway the next day with a Boy Scout Color Guard Flag Raising Ceremony and Blessing of the Fleet designed to bring good luck and lots of bites. Lines go in the water from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Anglers, captains and crews take a Lay-Day from fishing on Tuesday August 6th. This is the full moon day, and according to experienced sports fishermen, fishing is best right before and after the full moon.

Fishing concludes when the fleet makes a mad dash for shore during the Jim Smith 'Race From The Edge'.

For more information, contact Loveland at: 340-775-9500 or 1-888- 234-7484; Email: loveto@islands.vi; Web: www.abmt.vi