Reeling ‘em in
Annual giant Bluefin Tuna event drawing anglers from around the world
Annual giant Bluefin Tuna event drawing anglers from around the world
Teams from as far away as Scotland and Spain are confirmed for the Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge next month in North Lake.
To date, 11 teams and 70 to 75 participants are on board for the annual catch and release tournament of giant bluefin tuna that can weigh more than 1,000 pounds.
Organizers of the long-running event that dates back to 1972 and has attracted huge celebrities like hockey legend Bobby Orr and the late iconic country superstar Johnny Cash hope to reel in 15 to 18 teams.
The Sept. 8-11 event will allow competing anglers to catch and release up to two fish per day. At the end of the event, a champion team will be crowned by calculating the total length of tuna caught for each team.
Each team can have a total of six anglers. There is a charter boat captain and mate as part of the crew.
Last year, 85 per cent of the participants were from outside P.E.I., including entries from New Zealand, Australia the Bahamas and Texas.
“Prince Edward Island is a world class tourism and fishing destination, so it’s no wonder North Lake has been hosting the Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge for so many years,’’ says Tourism Minister Heath MacDonald.
“The provincial tuna fishery is vital to our economy, and our government is proud to support a weekend celebrating it.’’
Capt. Troy Bruce, who has a tuna charter business with his brother, Jamie, is heading into his fifth straight year of competing in the tournament.
He describes the competition as friendly. “The anglers like it,’’ he says. “They get to meet anglers from other boats. At the end of the day it’s more about camaraderie and sportsmanship.’’
He notes while the tournament takes place at a peak time in the Bluefin tuna season here, just how plentiful the fish will be is up in the air.
“It’s hard to tell,’’ says Bruce, who caught and released a Bluefin tuna recently during a charter outing.
“We’re going fishing, not going catching.’’
The event is receiving $15,000 in provincial funding and another $5,000 from the federal government through Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Business Development Program.
Last year’s champion, Team Huronia, will be back to defend its title with Capt. Carl Gallant on board the 45-foot Just Crackin’ 07.
“I can’t wait to help Team Huronia defend their title against all of the other teams this year,’’ says Gallant.
Teams interested in participating in the Tuna Cup Challenge are urged to visit www. tunacupchallenge quickly to secure a spot.