Why Did True Parents Host Fishing Tournaments?
Introduction
Brief Recap on Why Ocean
In the past, True Father highlighted the central and key role the ocean had in bringing about world peace and unification, calling the ocean the “central point,” “shortcut,” and “fastest way” to bring people and the world together. He also explained what exactly it took to bring about world peace, mentioning the urgency of the food problem, and the ocean’s relation to it.
“True peace will not come as long as humanity does not solve the problem of hunger. If the person next to me is about to die of hunger, peace is a mere luxury.” (As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen, Ch.7, pg. 321)
“The future economy of the world, the food problem of the world, the survival of mankind will be solved by the ocean. This time of study can determine the future life or death of mankind.” (God’s Will and the Ocean, Chapter 14)
The Ocean Providence was essentially the plan to substantially solve world hunger and the issues of inequality in this world, and ultimately a way for FFWPU to witness on a global level through action.
Brief History of Fishing Tournaments
True Parents began hosting fishing tournaments in the United States in 1981, the first one held being the World Tuna Fishing Tournament, inviting fishermen from all over the world to Gloucester, Massachusetts. Since then and up to his ascension in 2012, along with all other Ocean Providence efforts, He invested much of His effort into the tournaments, holding multiple large-scale fishing tournaments. He established multiple large annually held events, including:
The Alaska King Salmon Fishing Tournament from 1993
The Hudson River Striped Bass Fishing Tournament to celebrate True Parents’ Holy Wedding Anniversary from 2000
The Peace King Cup Fishing Tournament (held in various locations throughout the world) from 2001
True Parents held fishing tournaments every year with hundreds of participants.
The fishing tournaments clearly had a significant role in the Ocean Providence, and we must understand why it might be necessary to continue the tradition of tournaments. What was the purpose behind these events?
The Role of Fishing Tournaments
True Father often talked about the coming of the age of the “Ocean Hobby Industry” and also mentioned, multiple times, the importance of developing the hobby industry.
“We must develop the hobby business. Now at this time I am proclaiming the hobby business. Men are made to live centering on hobbies.” (Pacific Rim Providence, Ch. 2, 253-15, 1994.1.1)
The specific significance of the term “hobby” will not be deeply explored in this article, however, it does play into understanding the purpose of tournaments. Fishing tournaments are public events that essentially promote fishing as a hobby. It can popularize fishing not just as a means for commercial gain, but as a hobby, as a sport, and an activity for people to enjoy around the world.
Tournaments are able to support the Ocean Providence in the three following ways:
Raising people for the Ocean Era
Building an Economic Foundation & Social Support
Bringing people together in peace
Throughout the article, we will be exploring these three purposes of fishing tournaments as per True Father’s words.
Raising People for the Ocean Era
As discussed in previous articles and videos, ocean training is a major part of the Ocean Providence when it comes to raising the human resources capable to lead and carry the plan forward.
“Once a person receives intense training to become a fisherman, He can go anywhere in the world and become a leader of people. Learning to be a fisherman is good leadership training.” (As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen, Ch. 7 pg. 305)
Along with fishing workshops, True Father also looked to utilize the fishing tournaments as a place to train members. With competitive spirits, the energy is bound to be high strung, and the experience is one that people can learn valuable skills for leadership and cooperation from. It was whe