Chasing tuna
Tuna Cup tournament hopes to attract 15 to 18 teams in its 44th year
Anglers from all over the world will be out on the waters off P.E.I. next week for the annual International Tuna Cup Challenge.
Entering its 44th year, the Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge in North Lake has hosted anglers from all over the world. Celebrities such as Johnny Cash, Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, Maurice Richard, Roland Michener and many more came to North Lake to try their luck in catching the giant bluefin tuna. This year’s Tuna Cup Challenge happens Sept. 8 to 11. One of the teams that have confirmed their participation this year is the Fraser family.
Ken Fraser, long-time Bluefin Tuna All Tackle World Record Holder, will be joined by his two sons, Mike and Rob, and their sons, Cody and Zach. Three generations of Frasers, ranging in age from 11 to 80, will set their sights on this year’s title.
“I absolutely love this event that features a catch and release fishery that is the salvation of this beautiful fishery and sets an example for the rest of the world to follow,” said Fraser. As a catch and release tuna derby, anglers are able to catch up to two tuna per day over the three-day event. At the end of the three days, a champion team is crowned by calculating the total length of all tuna caught for each team. Last year’s champions, Team Huronia will be back to defend their title in this year’s event with Captain Carl Gallant on board the 45-foot, Just Crackin’ 07.
Historically, the event has attracted between 10 and 15 teams each year. In 2015, there were 13 teams and the goal for 2016 is to attract 15 to 18 teams.
In 2015, 85 per cent of participants were from outside of P.E.I. – ranging in location from New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Bahamas, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, to Texas. The Canadian provinces were also well represented with New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta participants. Each team can have a total of six anglers with a charter boat captain and mate as part of the crew. The charter boats are all licensed charter vessels.
This year, the Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge organizing committee announced a new presenting sponsorship with Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, Star Rods and their distributor, Big Rock Sports.
“This will be the first time the Tuna Cup has ever attracted this level of sponsorship,” said co-chair of the event, Cindy Harris. The top team prize package includes a pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses and a Star Rod (a value of over $500) for each team member. Many other prizes are also being added on a daily basis with the tournament quickly approaching. Teams interested in participating should visit www.tunacupchallenge to secure their spot.