In the weeks since the death of organizer Steven James in a duck hunting accident, Islanders have speculated about the future of the tournament, which brought crowds and controversy to the town for 27 years. Now two have applied to take over the contest.
With the future of the shark tournament in Oak Bluffs next summer unknown following the death of tournament organizer Steven James, the town harbor management advisory committee will consider two separate applications next week for permits to host big game saltwater tournaments.
Mr. James, who organized the annual Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament, died last month in a duck hunting accident.
In the weeks since his death, Islanders have speculated about the future of the tournament, which brought crowds and controversy to the town for 27 years.
The tournament was in a state of flux following last spring’s annual town meeting when voters approved a nonbinding referendum to make the tournament catch and release only. To date the selectmen have taken no action on the matter. The late Mr. James had said he was possibly planning to move the tournament to Newport, R.I.
Now two businessmen with Cape and Vineyard ties have submitted applications to run tournaments on their own.
Matthew Kriedel, who has fished the shark tournament and lives on the Island part time, has submitted a proposal for a tournament that would include a weigh-in and a catch and release option.
Damon Sacco, a Bourne resident who owns a sportfishing company, has applied to host what he’s calling the Oak Bluffs Challenge, a deepwater fishing contest for tuna, marlin and mako shark, primarily catch and release.
Both applications are due to be considered by the advisory committee next Thursday.
Reached Friday, Mr. Sacco said his plans are still tentative, but his contest would be not primarily a shark tournament.
Both applicants have pledged to donate ten per cent of entry fees to charity and include educational components in their proposals.
Mr. Kriedel, who has been critical of Mr. James’s tournament leadership in the past, said he would communicate better with the town and prohibit the display of shark heads, instead giving anglers banners to advertise their catch.
Fishermen would be given the option to register as catch and release anglers if they so choose, he said, but he admitted that the majority of contestants are likely to forgo that option.
“I think there might be a couple, but I don’t think it would be a strong presence,” he said.
If the town restricts the tournament to catch and release, Mr. Kriedel said he will withdraw his proposal. “It would be apparent that a strictly catch and release tournament would . . . result in very little economic benefit to the town of Oak Bluffs,” he wrote in his application.
A tournament in Montauk saw a drastic reduction in the number of boat entries following a shift to a catch and release model, he said.
“It does take a lot of work to go out shark fishing, it is a lot of work and a lot of expense, and if a fisherman happens to be lucky enough to catch thresher or mako, which are great edible species, they’d like to keep it,” he said.
Last year, 12 sharks were weighed in during the tournament weekend.
The harbor management committee meeting is at noon on Feb. 6 at the Oak Bluffs Library. The committee will make a recommendation to the selectmen, who meet Feb. 11.
Comments
After reading Mr. Kriedel's
Katama Kid Cape CodAfter reading Mr. Kriedel's comments lately my vote is with Mr. Sacco - even though his plans are tentative.
I would like to see OB figure
peter simon ChilmarkI would like to see OB figure a more conscious way to generate commerce for it's visitors and residents, rather than stage this voyeuristic carnival every year. While Oak Bluffs image has been hurting in recent years (unsightly buildings and shuttered storefronts along Circuit Ave., for example), this spectacle only adds a tabloid overlay. Adding a few food trucks might instead might make the place a little bit more inviting. And the new bowling alley will hopefully be another nice step forward.
Thank you - I agree 100%!!
MarcieThank you - I agree 100%!! There has to be better and more inclusive way for OB to bring in business. I know that every September now there is a triathlon in Oak Bluffs, which I think is great fun for both participants and spectators. Or what about a big farmers market on the weekends? More stuff like that please!
People on Martha's Vineyard
Eddie Haskell Chappy (summer)People on Martha's Vineyard especially those from West Tisbury want Drugs (Marijuana) to be available to every Tom, Dick, Harry & Sue but do not want fishermen / sportsmen (Oak Bluffs Shark Tournament) to be allowed??
I just got through reading, "How does marijuana use affect your brain and body" and I can now see their reasoning!
seems to me Mr Kriedel is the
spencer edgartownseems to me Mr Kriedel is the only one making comments which seems a positive thing , at least He is laying out his cards and his plans to work with the town and making a real effort to deal with the problems of the past. I like His direct route, he tells it like it is and is very transparent which the tournament needs to co exist with Oak Bluffs, The Money the tournament brings in to local Business is well worth the effort and with good management and the willingness to work with the Town it could be both successful and beneficial. Seems to Me like Mr Kriedel has that goal as well
Thank you Peter - I agree
MarcieThank you Peter - I agree with you 100%!! There has to be better and more inclusive way for OB to bring in business. I know that every September now there is a triathlon in Oak Bluffs, which I think is great fun for both participants and spectators. Or what about a big farmers market on the weekends? More stuff like that please!
*Apologies if this shows up twice. I hit "reply" to Peter's comment, but I guess those don't show up here? At least, it hasn't yet*
I love Mr. Kriedel's approach
Bobby C edgartownI love Mr. Kriedel's approach. He's trying to make this a family environment for Oak Bluffs. A well run shark tournament is what we need here. This Mr Socco sounds like a clown! I recall he brought in a huge tiger shark to late and was disqualified several years back in this tournament. He is no advocate of catch and release. He killed a 800+ lbs shark that was probably 25 years or more old. I think he mite be trying to pull punches here. I have also heard he runs a fly by night charter boat operation. I know some people who have fished with him and he may or may not be the most ethical fisherman in these waters. Is that who we want running this fishing tournament???
Staying on point I would
George Stein EdgartownStaying on point I would champion the notion of two or even more groups competing for the opportunity to have a fishing tournament for a specific weekend. Perhaps OB can sponsor two ! These events bring new people with ample discretionary spending to the Island. A farmers market and food trucks are novel ideas but they only offer further competition to struggling business owners who have higher operating costs and serve our community year round. I have great sorrow that some individuals harp on isolated distasteful incidents that occur infrequently. Almost all of the issues that are alarming are not from the fisherman visiting that weekend. Police records are public material if you really want to do the research. A world record Thresher shark was caught during the Bluefish and Bass Derby some years ago. Why is that not ever brought to light?
Two articles from the Gazette
Linda Wilson Oak BluffsTwo articles from the Gazette's coverage of the 2013 shark tournament, shed light on the unsavory side of this event. On the right sidebar, the article titled "Police Have Hands Full…" gives statistics for the past two tourneys: over 300 "incidents" and more than 40 arrests generated police reports. This happened over the course of only four evenings as best I can tell and does not seem to be the model for a family oriented activity. Granted, people passed out on the streets of Oak Bluffs were probably discovered well after most children's bedtimes. The other relevant article, "Magellan out of Harwich…" describes the severed tail of the winning entry being passed around for "people to touch."
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