Annual shark tournament weekend kick-off

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The Guy Lombardo Marina in Freeport will soon be buzzing with fishermen and spectators in anticipation for the 46th annual Shark Tournament presented by the Freeport Hudson Anglers Inc., (FHA). 

The purpose of this tournament, as per the FHA Tournament Committee, is not only providing a fun event with good sportsmanship and competition, but to promote the conservation of immature sharks by tag and release. The weekend will start with the traditional Captain’s Dinner on Friday night, June 15, at the Guy Lombardo Marino at 7 p.m. At 5:30 a.m. on June 16, the FHA fishing club is expecting a large number of boats to take off in search of the biggest shark at sea for cash prizes. 

Last year, over 70 boats participated with Hannah Grace, captained by Russell Guarineri, beat out all competitors, winning the tournament with a 347-pound thresher. Guarineri’s crew took home $36,024 in total prize money, which is based in part on betting.

Blue, Brown, Tiger, Mako, Thresher, ammerhead and Porbeagle sharks are eligible for catching, at 150 pounds or more with the exception for 200 pounds or more for Blue sharks. The FHA partners with marine biologists of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in order to insure that fishermen are following proper angling guidelines. The tournament ends as the boats return to the marina and radio, as they reached the check-in point near the Meadowbrook Bridge. Any fisherman who checked in with the committee boat after 6 will be disqualified.

FHA President and tournament director, David Gross, says that over the years, the Shark tournament has made a name for itself in the Freeport community, partly because the shark meat is donated to soup kitchens and local churches in Freeport. FHA also donates a good sum of tournament money to charities throughout Long Island. 

For tournament information, applications or sign up, contact 516-378-5181 or email FHAnglers@gmail.com. The tournament will be held at the Guy Lombardo Marina in Freeport, NY on Saturday, June 16.

– Nadya Nataly