A sailfish adorned with traditional Samoan tattoo patterns has been selected as the winner of the Samoa International Game Fishing Association’s (SIGFA) logo design competition.

Designer Justin Kelly grabbed the SAT$1,000 prize money but his intention behind the design was to show the unique culture of Samoa and the shared passion for fishing among enthusiasts.

The logo will be used for the 25th Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament.

Reflecting on his victory, Mr. Kelly, who has been living in Samoa with his wife for the last nine years expressed his pride.

“I’ve tried designing logos before, but this is the first logo competition I’ve won, and I feel very proud,” he said. “The fish I chose was a sailfish because the boat I usually fish on is called the Sailfish.”

He also used the designs of the Samoan traditional tattoo to incorporate elements of the culture while including the map of Samoa as decorations for the spine of the fish to make it unique to Samoa.

Inspired by his surroundings in Samoa, Mr. Kelly integrated elements of the island's culture and landscape into his design. The blue and white colors of the logo draw from the scenic views of the ocean from places like Asau and Amoa Resort on the big island of Savaii.

“Every part of Samoa was the inspiration for it, trying to put as much in there as possible from different parts,” he said.

“I think what makes Samoa so special is the people, it’s the community. I’m a part of the expat community here and although it’s small - the community is very devoted to each other and everybody helps out, this was the case, especially during the COVID lockdown period.”

SIGFA President, Vaughan Simpson, commended Mr. Kelly's design for encapsulating the tournament's rich history and promising future. "The winning logo truly captures the essence of our event. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the talented artists who participated in the competition and congratulate Mr. Kelly for his outstanding contribution," he remarked.

Mr. Kelly’s design was chosen from over 150 submissions from both local and international artists and designers.

The judging panel, comprising representatives from major sponsors including Samoa Commercial Bank Ltd, Apia Concrete Products Limited, Samoa Tourism, Taula Beverages, and Samoa IBFC, assessed each entry based on cultural relevance, visual appeal, and colour scheme. Entries were required to incorporate a boat or fish motif.

Mr. Kelly's winning creation showcases a vibrant and dynamic design featuring a sailfish adorned with traditional Samoan tattoo patterns, symbolizing

The 25th International SIGFA Tournament, scheduled from April 27th to May 4th, will serve as a qualifying event for the Offshore World Championship Costa Rica.

"It’s our biggest event of the year and has been for the last ten years. We’ve got boats coming out from New Zealand and Pago Pago and with 30 boats here, we are looking to have 40 boats for the competition so it’s going to be a big event,” said Mr. Simpson.

“We are trying to push for education or awareness around sustainable fishing, and anyone is invited to the competition; it’s inclusive of everybody."