Greg and Chance Norton are the winners of the 2015 Premier’s Tuna Cup, announced the Honourable Premier Wade MacLauchlan.
“I am pleased to present Captain Greg Norton and his son Chance Norton with this trophy in recognition of their significant achievement,” said Premier MacLauchlan. “The Prince Edward Island bluefin tuna fishery is an important contributor to the Island’s rural economy.”
The Nortons were awarded the Premier’s Cup trophy for landing the largest bluefin tuna in 2015. Premier Wade MacLauchlan presented the annual award today to recognize the economic importance of the tuna fishery and its growing international reputation.
The giant bluefin weighed 529 kilograms or 1,166.2 pounds - 15 lbs larger than the largest tuna of last year. They caught the tuna on September 24 off North Lake. Captain Greg Norton was also accompanied by his son Koen aboard the vessel Tight Line. It took them a total of two hours and 45 minutes to land the giant tuna.
Mr. Norton has been fishing bluefin for 33 years, beginning in 1982, while his son, Chance acquired his tuna license in 2005.
“I want to congratulate Greg and Chance on their Tuna Cup win and thank everyone who participated in this year’s competition,” said Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Alan McIsaac. “I also want to recognize all tuna fishers for the positive impact they are having on coastal communities in P.E.I. and for their contribution to the growth of the Island’s fishery exports.”
A total of 528 tuna weighing 150.68 metric tonnes were landed in 2015 in Prince Edward Island by the Island tuna fleet. The tuna fishery had a landed value of over $2.5 million in 2015.