A bluefin tuna is lowered onto a pallet during the Aug 21 weigh-in on the Lower Wedgeport Breakwater Wharf for the 21st annual Wedgeport Tuna Tournament & Festival. KATHY JOHNSONArticle contentA 705-pound bluefin tuna tipped the scale for the heaviest bluefin landed during the 21st annual Wedgeport Tuna Tournament and Festival held Aug. 16 to 23 in Yarmouth County.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe tuna was caught by the vessel Terrence Edward, captained by Dilan LeBlanc, of Lower East Pubnico, and won the Milton J. LeBlanc Memorial Tuna Cup.Article contentArticle content The ice is removed from the 705 bluefin tuna caught by the Terrence Edward during the Wedgeport Tuna Tournament & Festival Aug. 21 weigh-in. It was the heaviest bluefin landed this year, winning the Milton J. LeBlanc Memorial Tuna Cup. KATHY JOHNSONArticle contentThe Robyn Jade, captained by Stephen d’Entremont, had the heaviest overall weight for the tournament, landing a 630-pound bluefin, and a 119-pound big eye for a total of 749 pounds.Article contentArticle contentNineteen boats participated in the tournament, landing a total of 12 bluefin tuna, weighing a combined 6,688 pounds, three bigeye tuna (332 pounds) and six albacore tuna (242 pounds).Article contentEach year, the South West Nova Tuna Association allocates quota for bluefin tuna to the tournament from the commercial fishery quota.Article content The Irvin John steams into the Lower Wedgeport Breakwater Wharf for the Wedgeport Tuna Tournament & Festival Aug. 21 weigh-in. Captained by Calvin McNicole, the vessel landed a 526 pound bluefin tuna. KATHY JOHNSONArticle contentBrandon Doucette, president of the Wedgeport Tuna Tournament Association, said this year’s tournament and festival went well.Article content“A lot of the land events, the attendance surpassed our expectations. The fun run on Sunday was one of the biggest. The wine and cheese was very well attended. We had music bingo on Wednesday night. We were expecting maybe 20 people. We had 90 people. We had to turn people away. Next year we will be ready,” said Doucette. “Even on the wharf for the sendoff, it was packed, very well attended.”Article content Youngsters examine the bluefin tuna caught by the Jordyn & Hailey while it is still on ice. KATHY JOHNSONArticle contentEach year, a Tuna Queen is also crowned during the festival. This year’s royal court was: Charlee Nickerson (Tuna Queen), Angelina Lutz (1st Princess), Sophie d’Entremont (2nd Princess) and Mavyn Cottreau (Miss Congeniality.)Article contentArticle contentFish’n Canada attended this year’s tournament and festival to shoot an episode around the event for the television series that will air sometime between January and March of next year, said co-host Stephen Niedzwiecki.Article content Fish’n Canada co-hosts Stephen Niedzwieck (from left) and Dean Taylor, and cameraman Vova Babushkin were at this year’s Wedgeport Tuna Tournament & Festival to shoot an episode around the event for the television series that will air sometime between January and March of next year. KATHY JOHNSONArticle content“This is the first time I’ve seen tuna fishing and tuna this up and close and personal for sure,” said Niedzwiecki, during the Aug. 21 tuna weigh-in on the Lower Wedgeport Breakwater Wharf. “We’ve been here all week. We’ve been out on a couple lobster boats watching them fish and today we did the Tusket Islands.”Article contentAlso attending the tuna tournament and festival for the first time was David Popplow, the new general manager of the Wedgeport Tuna Museum.Article content“I’m just watching, seeing everything that happens, trying to process this big event,” said Popplow, who is from Kitchener, Ontario.Article content“My wife is from Newfoundland and she wanted to come back to the ocean, so we bought a place in Yarmouth. We’re not going back. This place is way too nice,” Popplow said.Article content The 473-pound bluefin tuna caught by the Vernon P during the Wedgeport Tuna Tournament & Festival is offloaded during the Aug. 21 weigh-in. KATHY JOHNSONArticle content“I have a lot of experience working in museums and art galleries, so I can bring some ideas and learn a whole bunch about everything here. So far, the welcome to Wedgeport, it’s such a great community. The help that is here for the tournament is amazing,” he said.Article contentDoucette said organizers would like to thank all the volunteers, the sponsors, the residents, and everybody who came out to support the tournament and festival.Article content Tuna fishermen carrying fishing rods walk down the Lower Wedgeport Breakwater Wharf during the Wedgeport Tuna Tournament & Festival Aug. 21 weigh-in. KATHY JOHNSONArticle content
21st annual Wedgeport Tuna Tournament and Festival held
