Learn About Bluefin Benefit Battle
In 2022, Bluefin Benefit Battle (B3) became Maine's first fishing tournament that fundraised for local Maine families battling cancer through the American Cancer Society (ACS). This event was a way for commercial fishermen to have fun competition, while raising money for an important cause. In all, we raised $125,000 in our first year with the help of our sponsors and the greater fishing community in Maine. We aim to raise even more in our third year and make an even bigger impact in our local cancer fight.
The American Cancer Society is a remarkable organization that helps so many families across the country that are battling cancer. Everyone here at B3 is so excited that we not only get to work with them, but that our fundraising efforts will directly impact Maine families. Knowing that your donation will go to local families in need adds a unique sense of community to an already tight knit state.
President of B3, Mitchell Napolitano, and his wife Lexi, an ICU nurse, feel motivated to do their part in the fight against cancer after losing family members and friends to the disease. Napolitano has been fishing for tuna for over two decades and has participated in all of Maine's tuna tournaments since he was a kid.
"People all over the country are very passionate about healthcare and fishing. We knew combining these two things could make a difference in the fight against cancer. By starting the Bluefin Benefit Battle we hope to motivate local fishermen to come together and use their passion for fishing to help local families that need our help. We are excited to join forces with the American Cancer Society in this fight against cancer," says Napolitano.
B3 is deeply rooted in sustainable science, with two fisheries scientists as founders of the tournament - Brenda Hamilton and Isabelle Sée. Hamilton has a B.S. in Marine Biology and specializes in life history of bluefin tuna (i.e. age, growth, stock structure). Sée has a B.S. in Marine Biology and currently works as a Fisheries Research Technician working with marlin, albacore, and bluefin tuna. Both are also members of the Pelagic Fisheries Lab, a University of Maine research lab that focuses on highly migratory species.
"As fisheries scientists, we have the privilege to work directly with commercial bluefin tuna fishermen to collect data and inform science. As founders of B3, we are excited to bring the industry led research we've been working on back to the local fishermen. Collaborating directly with the commercial bluefin fishery is the best way to both strive for long term sustainability and educate the community about the importance of this iconic species," share Hamilton and Sée.
New England and the Gulf of Maine are the heart of the Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT) fishery - bringing in over 70% of United States commercial landings. ABFT are managed internationally as their geographic range spans the Atlantic ocean, but they congregate off the coast of Maine all summer and fall. During the commercial tuna season, local fishermen make their living by catching and selling these impressive fish. While fishing for ABFT has been idolized by the popular National Geographic show Wicked Tuna, commercial fishing isn't for the faint of heart. It takes hard work, dedication, and adaptability to fish long term, something Pete Speeches, lifelong multigeneration fisherman, knows all too well.
"Utilizing the tuna fishermen and the tournament community to further research is a great way to add fun into fundraising. I hope everyone generously supports this noble cause!" says Speeches, one of many who is passionate about cancer research after knowing those affected by the disease.
Bluefin tuna provide sustainable and high-quality seafood that helps support coastal Maine communities. When tuna are landed here in Portland, they can be sold domestically and served in local restaurants, a market that has grown exponentially since the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout the summer months, if you see bluefin tuna on the menu, chances are it was landed right here and sourced through Upstream Trucking.
"Portland has grown so much as a food destination, and in many ways bluefin tuna is the centerpiece of that right now. Bluefin tuna is a beautiful fish and these local boats knowhow to take care of it. This tournament will be great for locals and tourists alike, reminding them about this unique resource, while raising funds for Maine families dealing with cancer" - Rick Humphrey, Upstream Trucking.
Bluefin Benefit Battle is proud to incorporate local businesses and the working waterfront into our event. As we continue to build this tournament, we're excited to gain support from trusted businesses that are deeply rooted in the fishing industry, including Napolitano and Speeches' first stop for ice and fuel while prepping for their tuna trips: Vessel Services.
"We here at Vessel Services, Inc. are very excited about the Bluefin Benefit Battle kicking off in Portland in 2022! The amount of energy and enthusiasm surrounding this tournament is special because it incorporates dedicated fisherman, science, and community, while supporting a great cause. This will make it very easy to get everyone out to support the tournament. As a working waterfront business that relies on and looks forward to this seasonal fishery here in Portland, we are happy to support it and be part of such an important fundraising cause" -Mike Foster, Vessel Services.
ACS is a remarkable organization that helps so many families across the country that are battling cancer. Everyone here at B3 is so excited that we not only get to work with them, but that our fundraising efforts will directly impact Maine families. Knowing that your donation will go to local families in need adds a unique sense of community to an already tight knit state.
By hosting this fishing tournament in Portland during July 2024, we guarantee that supporters will see impressive bluefin tuna and have a great time raising money for local Maine families battling cancer. Add Bluefin Benefit Battle to your calendar, it's an event you do not want to miss! For more information, please visit https://linktr.ee/bluefinbenefitbattle. We invite you to contact us at (207) 615-5532 and [email protected] if you have any questions about participating as a spectator, fisherman, or sponsor. B3 will be a non-profit entity through ACS.