17th Sturdivant Island Tuna Tournament and Fundraising Auction. This year marks the 17th annual Sturdivant Island Tuna Tournament (SITT) at Spring Point Marina in South Portland. Festivities are open to the public and begin the afternoon of Wednesday, August 6, with dinner prepared by Joe’s Boathouse Restaurant (adults $10, children under 12 free), and Captain’s Meeting. A fundraising auction and 50/50 raffle follows the Captain’s Meeting. Tournament fishing officially starts at 12 a.m. on Thursday, August 7, and ends at 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 9. The awards dinner will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m., with a fish fry prepared by Susan’s Fish & Chips. Captains who land the five largest bluefin tuna qualify for cash prizes: $6,250 for first place, $3,250 for second place, $1,500 for third, $1,000 for fourth, and $500 for fifth place. The tournament is limited to 40 pre-registered boats. As an added incentive, if a tournament-landed bluefin tuna officially sets the Maine State Rod and Reel Record (819 pounds), a grand prize of $50,000 will be awarded. Last year, Captain Rob Mitchell and the crew of Hazel Browne took home the $6,250 first-place prize with a 586.5-pound tuna. Over the past 16 years, the Sturdivant Island Tuna Tournament has made charitable contributions approaching $600,000. Most of this money has been donated to establish scholarships at all seven of Maine’s Community Colleges. In addition, donated funds have been given to the Byron R. Gouzie Foundation, the McAuley Residence at Mercy Hospital, the Isaac Baker “Baker-Mobile” fund, and the Maine Community Foundation. In 2010, SITT was awarded the Council for Resource Development Benefactor Award for its many contributions to Maine’s community colleges.
17th Annual Sturdivant Island Tuna Tournament Charity Auction
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