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NORTH LAKE - A camera is almost as valuable as a rod and reel during the Annual Catch and Release International Tuna Cup Challenge, which launches Tuesday, September 13, 14 and 15th, 2011 off North Lake involving vessels from PEI (charter boats) and the teams are from all over the world.

2010 Tuna Cup Challenge Video

The Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge was first brought to North lake Harbour in 1972 when the sport of tuna fishing was on an all time high. Darning that time celebrities such as Johnny Cash, Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, Maurice Richard, Rt. Hon Roland Michrner and many more all came to North Lake to try their luck in catching the giant Blue Fin Tuna. Once word got around that North Lake was the place to charter a boat and enter the Tuna Challenge, which was an international event, anglers came from all over the world; Canada , US, South Africa , Germany , South America , Italy and more. Over the years the tuna off North Lake started to disappear as did the Tuna Cup Challenge. In the most recent years the tuna have come back to the island and in great numbers. In 2006 a group of volunteers decided to bring back the challenge and found that the interest level was still very high in the US and European countries. So began, the re-birth of the Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge.

In 2010 the challenge attracted anglers from Germany , South Africa , Virginia , Boston , Ontario , Quebec , Alberta , and Nova Scotia . Prince Edward Island had the first Island team in four years (Minister of Innovation, Alan Campbell, Deputy Minister Fisheries, Richard Gallant and their team).

In 2010 there were only 10 boats on the island that held the charter status, which restricted the challenge to 60 anglers. However, 2011 is there will be 16 boats Island wide available for charter tuna fishing for the tournament.

Be sure to get your entries in early to make sure you are out on the water at first light to catch and release one of these large Blue Fin Tuna's.