PEI’s bluefin bonanza

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The annual catch and release tournament was started in the 1970s in North Lake, the most eastern harbour of PEI, which is also considered the “Tuna Capital of the World”. This year, the competition attracted 12 teams of anglers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Spain and the United States.

The challenge has gained worldwide attention in international media and sports fishing communities, and has even attracted such celebrities as singer Johnny Cash and NHL players Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr and Maurice Richard.

The event began to fade in the late 1980s as the migration patterns of the tuna changed and the fished bypassed the eastern coast of PEI. However, by the mid-90s they had returned and a group of volunteers in the area decided to revive the event in the early 2000s.

This year’s winner was Team Huronia, a five-member combined Ontario/PEI team fishing from the vessel Just Crackin’ with Captain Carl Gallant and First Mate Rob Doiron.

During the event, each boat is allowed 2 fish per day with 100 points for each fish to boat and then a point per inch for length of fish measured at side of boat before release. Total points after 3 days determines the winner.

The Harbour Master for North Lake, Sheila Eastman, chairs the challenge. She notes the event gives the small community international exposure, not to mention an economic shot in the arm. "Tuna fishing at North Lake has been a vital part of the economy for over 40 years”, said Eastman. The backbone of this fishing community is typically the lobster industry, so the tuna fishery provides operators with off-season customers and contributes greatly to the economy of the region.