This story, written by the Barry MacLaren of the Charlottetown Guardian, was published on February 1, 1980.

Island fisherman Captain Ken Fraser, who landed that huge bluefin tuna off N.S. last October says it has been maQe official as a world record in the latest edition of International Marine Angler.

The catch goes in the books as "the all tackle and men's 130 pound line class world record". Mr. Fraser said he was aware that it could be a record as early as Dec. 12. The previous tuna weight record was 1,235 Ibs.

The 1,496lb. tuna landed from the Lady and Misty with captain Eric Sampson in the Pomquet Shoal off Auld's Cove, Cape Breton, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. took only 45 minutes to land, said Capt. Fraser.

HEADED FOR N.S.

A lobster and ground fisherman in season, Mr. Fraser described the circumstances leading up to the record catch. He said he had been fishing off North Lake without success and had been in contact with N.S. fishermen. Because of licensing technicalities Island fishermen couldn't take their boats over so he joined Capt. Sampson, with what he terms "my equipment and expertise".

The gigantic bluefin was ironically landed close to where he had sighted his first tuna. During a nine day span the Lady and Misty landed seven tuna, said Mr. Fraser.

As to the catch itself, the North Shore fisherman said he "couldn't believe it...couldn't imagine it...no one had ever seen a fish that big before."

CLOSE TO P.E.I.

The tuna was part of the same fish that schools off the Island in the fall, speculated Mr. Fraser. The fish, led by an abundance of bait in migration south, are trapped in the funneIl of St. George's Bay.

Outlining the application for the record, Mr. Fraser said that from the time the fish was hooked no other person could touch the equipment until it was brought to shore. The scales, on weigh-in, must have been certified within the last six months; a sample of the line (Garcia 130 Ib. test) has to be provided. Pictures of The weigh-in have to be taken in black and white, noted Mr. Fraser, along with a picture of the weigh-master, all of which have to be verified by a justice of the peace.

The angler said even the scales were investigated by a N.S. department of tourism official, Bill Bryson, to be sure of the validity of the claim.

Mr. Fraser stated all information had then to be sent to the International Game Fishing Association in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

With the official recognition the honours pour in, Mr. Fraser said he is sure the catch will make the Guiness World Book of Records; it was written up as far afield as the London Daily News and included in a Sports Illustrated Faces In The Crowd feature Dec. 24-31 for which the fisherman received a handsome trophy.

LOTS OF CALLS.

Calls and letters from around the world have resulted, said the north side man with an opportunity for advertising with an equipment manufacturing company.

Further, the catch is eligible for a Governor-General's Trophy for the largest tuna caught in N.S. waters last year. As well, says Mr. Fraser, the catch should result in increased charter opportunity for the upcoming season. A commercial fisherman by choice after operating a construction firm, Mr. Fraser said the fish was sold for $2.00 per pound.

Copyright
Waldron H. Leard