Police Have Hands Full for Shark Tourney
Sara Brown

The third weekend in July was again a busy time for the Oak Bluffs police department, which reported a busier-than-normal weekend in light of the shark tournament and festival. But while last year police said they felt overwhelmed, this year the department reported that an increased police presence may have deterred more serious incidents.

The department reported that between Thursday, July 18 and Sunday, July 21, police responded to 175 incidents, making 25 arrests and placing four people into protective custody.

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Magellan Out of Harwich Takes Home Top Prize in Shark Contest

Call it beginner’s luck, offshore fishing skill or maybe a combination of both.

But the crew of Magellan out of Harwich and captained by Jason Pillsbury took home the $20,000 prize in the Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament Saturday.

Magellan landed a 429-porbeagle shark on Friday and another 313-pound porbeagle on Saturday and won the tournament with 742 points.

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Big Game Fishermen, Big Crowd of Spectators Gather for Shark Tournament
Olivia Hull

A 429-pound porbeagle shark was the winning catch on the first day of the Monster Shark Tournament Friday.

Dan Lundy landed the shark aboard Magellan out of Harwich, captained by Jason Pillsbury.  It was their first time to fish the tournament, which is sponsored by the Boston Big Game Fishing Club and carries a $20,000 prize for the boat that wins the most points.

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Big Crowds, Police Presence Expected for Shark Tournament
Olivia Hull

The 27th Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament is set for this weekend, and will likely be the last tournament of its size to be held in town following years of debate and controversy.

Sponsored by the Boston Big Game Fishing Club, the tournament begins Friday and continues Saturday. The tournament’s home base is the Oak Bluffs marina.

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Shark Release Ballot Question Passes
Sara Brown

Oak Bluffs voted in favor of catch-and-release shark tournaments, West Tisbury approved a new police station and Edgartown approved two spending projects during annual town elections last week.
Voter turnout was sparse, between nine and 13 per cent, and few races were contested.
Oak Bluffs voters approved a nonbinding referendum that would make shark tournaments in town catch and release only by a margin of 225 to 186.

The annual Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament, which offers prizes for the largest shark caught, is held at the Oak Bluffs harbor every summer.

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Oak Bluffs Voters Have Their Say, Catch and Release Is Humane Way
Ivy Ashe

Monster Shark Tournament organizer and president of the Boston Big Game Fishing Club Steven James will takes steps to control the crowd at the controversial Oak Bluffs event, he told selectmen at a meeting Thursday afternoon.

Mr. James’s visit before the board was a condition of approval for the harbor use permit issued by the selectmen for the event. The event will take place July 18 to 20.

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From a Shark Tournament Captain

I am a captain of a boat that participates in the shark tournament. We have been fishing this tournament for a long time. I first will say I really do enjoy the town of Oak Bluffs and usually things seemed to go off without a hitch. I frequent the town as well with my family and friends for dinner and drinks and shopping multiple times during the summer season.

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Town Asks for Audience with Organizer Before Shark Tournament Can Proceed
Sara Brown

With the issue coming before town meeting members in early April, Oak Bluffs selectmen Tuesday once again revisited the controversial Monster Shark Tournament, ultimately agreeing to an application to host the tournament pending a meeting with the event organizer.

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Cruel Tournament

My family has owned a gingerbread cottage overlooking Oak Bluffs harbor for several generations. As a longtime lover of all God’s creatures, I have been upset to learn of the cruelty and horrors wrought by the annual Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament.

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Sheld Light on Shark Event

The following letter was sent to John Breckenridge, chairman of the harbor management committee:

As a long time Oak Bluffs voter, resident and taxpayer, I am writing to ask your help in understanding numerous confusing and seemingly contradictory harbor policies with regard to the annual Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament. I am a supporter of the forthcoming April 2013 “catch and release” referendum and look forward to your responses and thoughts on these important issues.

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