The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and PEI Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Rural Development Ron MacKinley today announced a combined investment of $19,500 in the North Lake Harbour Authority Inc. to help host the 2014 Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge.

This assistance will allow the North Lake Harbour Authority host the Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge, attracting sport fishers and visitors to rural Eastern Prince Edward Island and extending the traditional tourist season into mid-September.

Quick Facts:

• The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, has invested $5,000 to help promote and develop this tourism product.

• The Government of Prince Edward Island, through the Departments of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, Innovation and Advanced Learning, and Tourism and Culture, made an additional investment of $14,500.

• The Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge takes place from September 11th – 14th in North Lake, Prince Edward Island. Teams of anglers from around the world will participate in this catch and release tournament. The event will also highlight the region’s food, entertainment and local hospitality.

• This event has a long history with more than 30 years of bringing people from around the world to fish Bluefin tuna out of the North Lake Harbour. Teams continue to come to Prince Edward Island from countries as far away as New Zealand, Australia, France, United States, and of course Canada.

Quotes:

“Our Government understands that tourism plays a key role in strengthening our local economy. The Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge is an excellent opportunity to extend the tourism season into the fall and highlight the beauty of rural Eastern Prince Edward Island as well as our world-class local fishery.”

- The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)

"The tuna fishery has economic and historical significance to the Province of Prince Edward Island. The growing charter boat fishery offers new opportunities for our commericial fishers and showcases Prince Edward Island to visitors from around the world.”

- The Honourable Ron MacKinley, PEI Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

“I am pleased that the Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge is taking place once again in North Lake, Prince Edward Island, the tuna capital of the world. This catch and release tournament provides an amazing opportunity for corporate team building and for international visitors to experience not only a bluefin tuna angling adventure, but to experience Prince Edward Island as a tourist destination for themselves and their families, and it provides a much needed economic boost to the Eastern Kings community.

- Mr. Floyd Stewart, Chair, Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge

Associated Links:

2014 Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge