Port Lincoln, South Australia: With less than four months until the annual Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic, organisers have begun taking entries for teams entering the 2015 event.

As one of the largest offshore game fishing tournaments in Australia, the 2015 Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic will be held over two days from April 11 to 12 and has become a much-anticipated event in Australia’s tuna capital.

In 2011, the event set a new international record for light tackle deep sea sport fishing with 459 (5,000 kilograms) Southern Bluefin Tuna caught and released during the two-day event. Last year’s event exceeded this and set a new record with 897 tuna caught and released and 20 boats competing.

This year organisers have 40 trophies to be won valued at $400 each and anticipate a new record will be set.

The Riviera Port Lincoln Tuna Classic is the brain-child of philanthropist and passionate Riviera owner Peter Teakle, who said his goal was to create a family friendly, professional and world-class game fishing tournament.

“Riviera has a philosophy of getting the whole family involved with boating as much as they have a philosophy of all Riviera boat owners being part of one big global family. So when we were asked to take over this tournament three years ago, we decided to make this a true family event. I thank our sponsors; Riviera, Yamaha, Lexus Adelaide, Shimano and Club Marine for helping us achieve our goal of bringing the joy of game fishing to the whole family,” Mr Teakle said.

“The popularity of this event has grown significantly and we already have teams from South Australia, interstate and overseas submitting their interest, so we encourage anglers to get their teams together and get in early to avoid disappointment.”

Each year the event begins at 7.30am with a sail past at the entrance of Lincoln Cove Marina led by the historic tuna boat The Tacoma (circa 1948), credited as being the founder of the Port Lincoln tuna fishing industry. The sound of The Tacoma’s horn marks the start of the race to Memory Cove and the fishing begins at 9am.

Riviera’s director of brand and communications Stephen Milne said it was great to see a sport fishing event that encourages lady and junior anglers and offers a good competition for boats of varying sizes.

“The Tuna Classic provides a very social and fun way for both serious sport fishing enthusiasts, as well as those new to the sport, to come together to learn from each other and enjoy each other’s company. It is particularly gratifying to see a growing number of junior anglers entering this tournament each year,” Mr Milne said.

“Riviera praises Peter Teakle for his undying enthusiasm and passion to make the Tuna Classic nothing but the best offshore tournament in Australia and Riviera is proud to partner with Peter and his team in this event.”

Entries must be received by March 10, 2015 to ensure participation. For more information, rules, guidelines and entry forms visit www.tunaclassic.com

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