Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give a shout-out to the bluefin tuna fishers who are enjoying another excellent fishing season in Prince Edward Island.
My riding is home to North Lake, or as we like to call it, the tuna capital of the world. The current world record tuna was caught in the North Atlantic in 1979 by Captain Ken Fraser in North Lake. The fish tipped the scales at an astounding 1,496 pounds.
At the start of October this year, Island fishers have landed over 850 giant bluefish. They account for nearly 90% of their quota fill. The quality of this tuna fuels our local economies with premium P.E.I. product that has been exported to high-value markets in Japan and around the world.
However, it does not stop there, our world-class charter industry drives vital tourism dollars into our coastal communities. Sports anglers come from all over the world to try their luck and skill at landing one of these giant bluefin. I invite all members to join me in wishing P.E.I. tuna fishers fair winds and good seas.