Last year was the first time in 31 years that a tuna tournament was held in Wedgeport, N.S. This year will be the first time since the heydays of the international matches that the weigh-ins will be back on the Tuna Wharf where it all began.
“The excitement of yesteryear is coming back,” says Doris Bain of the Wedgeport Tuna Museum, who is also on the organizing committee of the tournament. “Since we’ve mentioned that it’s coming to the Tuna Wharf there is even more enthusiasm, more excitement, people are really hyped up.”
Hype is something that is no stranger to tuna tournaments in southwestern Nova Scotia. In the days of the international tuna matches that began in 1931 and continued until 1976 (the match in 1939 was cancelled because of the outbreak of World War II and the event took a break between 1959-65) teams from countries from around the world descended on Wedgeport to take part in the matches. Crews included people like U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, author Ernest Hemingway, aviator Amelia Earhart and hockey all-star Jean Beliveau.
“When you think about back in the day…the government spent all of their tourism dollars on this event,” says Bain. “People came from everywhere, all walks of life.”
In 2004 a tuna tournament became a component of the local annual Shark Scramble tournament. Last year it was decided that it was time to bring the tournament back to Wedgeport.
“It was a whole different experience bringing it back to home turf,” Bain says.
Last year seven boats took part in the tournament, landing nine tuna. Hundreds of people came out for the weigh-ins and saw the crew of the Fin Seeker – with their combined weight of 707 pounds from two tuna – take the top prize. One of the boats was from the United States. Another interesting aspect of last year’s tournament was an all-female crew that took part.
This year organizers are expecting more boats to register. As of mid-July there were nine boats registered, which included two U.S. teams, and another few boats were expected to sign up. Even the high cost of fuel, one of the expenses crews will have to incur, doesn’t seem to be acting as deterrent.
The boats will leave the wharf on Tuesday, Aug. 19, heading out about 10 to 12 hours from shore. The fishing begins on Wednesday, Aug. 20, with all boats required to be back at the wharf by noon on Saturday, Aug. 23. The weigh-ins will begin at 1 p.m., with the closing ceremony and trophy presentation planned for around 3 p.m.
Like last year, fish buyers will be on hand to bid for the tuna during an auction. The fish will then head off to market, although two of the companies are planning to offer a sushi bar at the wharf so people can sample the tuna.
Bain is once again expecting a lot of excitement on the wharf when the tuna are landed. For some people, prior to this the only time they will have seen a tuna is in photographs, a can or between two slices of bread. This is a unique experience Bain says.
“Most people who fish tuna commercially do not call home and say, ‘Get the gang together, we’re coming home, put the party on the wharf’,” she says. “As soon as they unload they’re gone, versus when you have a tournament, you get to see the excitement of the fishermen and hear the stories.”
In addition to the fishing tournament, organizers have expanded the activities into a small festival that will run during the week. Other events will include a pageant, dance and musical concerts.
