UNE Sponsors Maine's Only Shark Tournament Benefiting Local Children and Their Families

The University of New England is once again sponsoring Maine's only shark fishing tournament, established last year.

The fundraising event, scheduled for August 25-27, 2005, will benefit local children and their families and provide free shark meat to the hungry poor.

All of the proceeds raised in the Downeast Maine Shark Tournament will go directly to United Way of York County. The donated money will be used specifically for children and their families living in southern Maine who are in need. All edible sharks not wanted by the entrants will be fully processed by volunteers from Saco Bay Tackle and the shark meat donated for consumption at area food pantries.

Last year, more than 20 teams entered the contest, and nearly 60 sharks were caught and released. This year, anyone who breaks the Maine state shark record for mako, porbeagle, thresher, or blue sharks will win $10,000.

Caught sharks will be weighed at Camp Ellis Pier in Saco from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday (August 25 and 26), and from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday (August 27).

Entry fee for the tournament is $350 per boat, which includes two tickets to the kickoff Captain's Dinner on Wednesday evening (August 24) at UNE.

The public is invited to the awards ceremony beginning at 6 p.m., on Saturday (August 27) held at Saco Bay Tackle. A buffet dinner will be provided at nominal cost.

All vessels fishing in this tournament must be federally permitted to catch sharks.

For more information, including entry forms, rules and prize structure, visit the web site at: www.mainesharktournament.com.

(Press Release issued August 15, 2005

   
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