The 29th Monster Shark Tournament rolls into Newport this month with more excitement, bigger prizes, more education and a good time for the whole family. This iconic tournament brings fishermen, marine biologists, and folks on the docks another exciting, world class shark tournament in memory of Steven James. The record breaking $20,000 purse and captainsâ Calcutta add real excitement and purpose to the captainsâ hunt for the largest thresher, mako or porbeagle. All eligible sharks are of the edible kind, and meat not taken by captains and crew is given to local soup kitchens.
Last year was the first year the tournament was held in Newport, not without some local dissent and rightful concern after the spectacle in MV. We were glad to see that the drunken hoards who had given the tournament such a bad name in MV had headed off to other tournaments, and the natural polite nature of Newport prevailed. There were families, not frats, out for a day of wonder, not riot. The increasingly rowdy nature of the event was a significant factor in James moving the tournament to Newport before he passed away.
âSteve was so proud of this tournament. He was particularly proud that he was able to institute the highest weight limits, making this more a catch and release tournament. This tournament is dedicated to gathering information about sharks. Captains will be given the opportunity to tag the sharks they catch and release, and Lisa Natanson of the NMFS Apex Predator Program will lead the team on site-to collect data and information on the sharksâ said Doreen James, Steveâs mother and now organizer of the Tournament.
We were especially interested in the research taking place. All captains were given tags for the dozens of sharks which are caught and released. Once the largest sharks are harvested they serve a crucial purpose: Anyone who has seen the video of shark finning knows that this practice is the real threat to shark populations. Huge fishing factories roam the seas catching sharks which are finned and rolled back over the side to be shredded by others or drown. The fins are sold primarily in Asia for shark fin soup and as an aphrodisiac.
Enforcement has been frustrated by being unable to differentiate skate fins (which are legal to harvest) from shark fins in the field. This allows the contraband to be landed and sold.
Natanson and her team were working on a field DNA kit which would allow law enforcement to positively identify shark fins and make arrests in the field. Having actual shark fins for this research is critical, and that was where these fins were headed. Collection of data, along with other organs, made it a good day for the research team to continue their work.
âThe Monster Shark Tournament will take place Friday, June 16 – 18 at Caseyâs Marina. Captains will leave the docks before dawn and have lines in at 7 AM Friday and Saturday morning. The public is invited free of charge for the weigh-ins at 3:30 pm on Friday and Saturday at the Marina. In addition to seeing the sharks, there will be information from multiple speakers on the different types of sharks and their habits and habitat,â added James.
The record breaking purse of $20,000 is up for grabs with more prizes being added daily. âWe are still open to registrations,â said James. âWe are thrilled to welcome back so many of Steveâs friends and the fishermen of all kinds who make this such a wonderful event. We are hoping that this year, with the still new location in Newport, we will get even more fishermen, especially from Rhode Island, to participate.â
Steve James was known around the world for the Monster Shark Tournament. He was President of the Stellwagon Bank Charter Boat Association as well as Boston Big Game Fishing.
âSteve felt really welcomed by Newportâ said James. âWhen he called the family there was always something new and exciting about Newport for the tournament.â
Weâre all looking forward to a great day with excitement and better understanding of sharks and their habitat for all.
Interested fishermen can register or find more information at BostonBigGame@hotmail.com
