Tuna season began this year on June 1, but it will be more than a month before the only strictly tuna tournament in the state takes place at Spring Point Marina in South Portland. For the captains of the 26 boats currently signed up for the big-money tournament held Aug. 1-3, it will be worth the wait.
"Some of us thought the excitement of a strictly tuna tournament had disappeared. We wanted to bring back the big boats and towers, the harpoon platforms, and the hype," said Paul LaBrecque of the event that began five years ago.
"Tuna have unbelievable strength. They have a tremendous amount of speed," he added.
LaBrecque said the experience of hooking a tuna is unique, as it can take more than an hour just to get the fish on board. As a result, nearly a fourth of the participants are hooked and have competed each of the past five years the tournament has been held.
At the same time, the prize money and tournament sponsorship have been growing each year, according to Renee Allocca, who's on the event committee.
The prize money went up this year from $10,000 to $12,500, a pot that will be divided among the fishermen with the five largest tunas. But the potential winnings is only one of the event's lures, so to speak.
LaBrecque said part of the thrill of catching a fish with such fight is the possible double reward that comes with selling the meat. He said tuna can sell for anywhere between $10-$50 a pound on the Japanese market.
"It depends on fat content. The fattier the fish, the more money they bring in," LaBrecque said. "They are analyzed by a buyer at the dock. If it's your lucky day, if you get a good price, it's like scoring the winning touchdown for the Patriots. There's an unbelievable hype getting a hook on a fish."
The tournament registration fee of $400 helps to pay for running the tournament. LaBrecque said it costs between $8,000 and $9,000 to run the event and pay for the rental equipment and weighing the fish. The remaining registration money, the donations from companies and individuals, and the funds raised through the event's auction all go to charities.
Last year, the nonprofit tournament raised $22,500, which was earmarked for a variety of local charities, including a scholarship fund at Southern Maine Technical College. But, in the wake of the events of Sept. 11, the tournament committee made a $7,500 donation to the American Red Cross Relief Fund.
The Sturdivant Island Tournament limits participation to 40 boats to maintain interest, LaBrecque said. He said limiting it assures that people who are interested will sign up early.
For information, call 772-5718, or visit the Web site at: www.mainetuna.org.
Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at:
dfleming@pressherald.com
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