As a first-class tuna tournament, the Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza combines highlyskilled anglers from all over the northeast in a contest of competition, comradery and fun. We also understand the importance and reward of giving back to our communities. As an independent, non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza Tuna Tournament is committed to the purpose of raising and expending funds in support of educational scholarships to deserving individuals. To that end, all donations made by charity auction participants, raffle ticket buyers and our sponsors will go toward a scholarship fund to support students in Maine’s community college and technical school system, the graduates of which will ultimately enter the work force and contribute meaningfully to our community. We’re also dedicated to conserving the resource we value so much, and supporting internships and research at the University of Maine’s Pelagic Fisheries Lab.
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Education remains our core mission. In 2024, we fulfilled our endowment with the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges (FMCC), which means our scholarships for students enrolled in trades and marine science programs will be available in perpetuity. All the same, we continue to award additional annual scholarships and in 2024 gave $1,000 scholarships to 2 students at each of Maine’s 7 community colleges, and to 2 more students, one each from SMCC and CMCC.
Despite increased tuition available through other State programs, our efforts and our sponsors’ support is more important than ever as many of our scholarship recipients are non-traditional students that don’t qualify for free tuition. Even those that do must still cover 2/3 of the cost of their education. Businesses that employ trade workers understand and appreciate the importance of these scholarships as they bring more qualified individuals to a workforce desperately in need of them.
We were also able to fulfill our endowment with the Southern Maine Community College Foundation. That means scholarships will be available in perpetuity to students enrolled in SMCC’s Emergency Medical Services/Paramedicine program, through the Lindsay Withers Memorial Scholarship. This program will ultimately increase availability of medical first responders in rural communities.
In 2024, 64 boats paid a $1,000 registration fee, generating $60,000. Of that, $50,000 was paid out in prize money and $10,000 went toward scholarships.
In 2024 we presented a check for $21,000 to the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges to continue our scholarship program. l. to r. John Fitzsimmons, Maine Community College Foundation President; Jane Humphrey, CBBB Secretary; Carrie Ridgway, FMCC Director of Development and Operations.
“The Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza plays a critical role for students attending Maine’s seven community colleges by providing 16 scholarships to students studying in occupational programs who face financial challenges. We are incredibly grateful to Bob and Jane Humphrey, along with their dedicated team of volunteers, for their unwavering commitment to organizing a top-tier tuna tournament in Maine that benefits our students and community.”
Each year we are privileged not only to support but to meet and work with a team of young interns from the University of Maine’s Pelagic Fisheries Lab. Under the leadership of Dr. Walt Golet, it serves as a training ground for students interested in the fields of fisheries biology, science and management. Internships, technicians, and graduate student positions give students the opportunity to acquire the hands-on skills needed to enter the professional field and become the next generation of leaders who will continue the wise stewardship of this resource. And they’re always willing to educate interested bystanders and lend an extra set of hands when work needs to get done around the tournament grounds.
L. to r. Jane Humphrey, CBBB Secretary; Diane Rowland, Dean of the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences at the University of Maine; Bob Humphrey, CBBB President; Liz Erickson, Senior Director of Philanthropy, University of Maine Foundation; Dr. Walt Golet, Adjunct Professor, University of Maine, Director, Pelagic Fisheries Lab.
In 2024 we presented a check for $25,000 to the University of Maine Foundation to support internships and research at the Pelagic Fisheries Lab. l. to r. Jane Humphrey, CBBB Secretary; Diane Rowland, Dean of the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences at the University of Maine; Bob Humphrey, CBBB President; Liz Erickson, Senior Director of Philanthropy, University of Maine Foundation; Dr. Walt Golet, Adjunct Professor, University of Maine, Director, Pelagic Fisheries Lab.
“We greatly appreciate the support and opportunities that the Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza provides for both our UMaine faculty, like Walt Golet, and our students. The event is an amazing opportunity for our students to gain hands-on experience in gathering critical data about the fishery. As part of the tournament, students are engaged in maneuvering, sampling, cataloging, and breaking down the tuna brought in each morning by various fishing boats. In the process, they are interacting with and providing information to the fishermen, the public, and the scientific community.”
Through our endowment with the University of Maine Foundation’s Highly Migratory Species Conservation Fund, we’re supporting critical bluefin tuna research at the University of Maine’s Pelagic Fisheries Lab, the results of which are already being used to shape future management of Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Genetics for Giants is a pilot program that aims to identify stock structure of the bluefin we land. Using gene tags, researchers hope to find tuna relatives (parent-sibling matches). This information can then be used to derive a more accurate estimate of the number of bluefin in the ocean, and ultimately ensure the resource and the fishery remain sustainable.
Researchers use several different types of tags to track tuna including traditional/conventional plastic and more sophisticated electronic tags. From this, they can determine where these fish travel and at what times of the year they enter their spawning grounds or cross management zones.
Using reproductive tissues and genetic techniques, researchers can assess when bluefin spawn for the first time. This information is used to set minimum size limits and estimate total population abundance.
Dr. Walt Golet is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences and a GMRI Research Scientist leading the Pelagic Fisheries Lab. He was recently one of a few UMaine faculty awarded the UMaine Faculty Mentor award. The Pelagic Fisheries Lab is on the cutting edge of research around highly migratory species like Atlantic bluefin tuna, and Walt leads an exceptional cohort of graduate students and early-career researchers along the way.
“This collaboration with the Bluefin Bonanza also allows the Pelagic Fisheries Lab to increase the scope of our work on bluefin tuna.”
This is where the big picture comes in, and how everything we do throughout the year benefits the local community. With financial and staffing support from Cabela’s and our team of interns, our annual Youth Day provides local kids an opportunity for some hands-on experience and education about common fish species found in the Gulf of Maine, an experience far more valuable than any lessons they can get in the classroom.
One of the core initiatives of the Hometown Foundation is individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Each year they support our Day on the Bay, giving kids and adults a chance to see the sights of Casco Bay and learn about marine biology and conservation.
In 2024 we participated in a new venture that was several years in the making by joining forces with The Bluefin Benefit Battle and the Bailey Island Fishing Tournament to create the Gulf of Maine Grand Slam. This effort offered an opportunity for anglers participating in all 3 tournaments to vie for additional prize money and earn the title of Maine’s top tuna boat. It also strengthened support for each tournament’s specific initiatives.
According to NOAA Fisheries, the average trip cost for bluefin tuna fishing is $823 per boat, per day. This includes things like ice, food, bait, fuel and tackle, all of which comes from businesses in our community. With 64 boats competing in a 3-day tournament, that represents an infusion of nearly $160,000 into the local working waterfront.
During the 2024 Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza, anglers landed 31 fish for a total of over 11,553 pounds. At an average ex-boat price of $6.00/pound, that equates to over $70,000, and some fishermen got even better prices for their fish. These fish are purchased by local buyers, then brought to market, providing an economic benefit to local wholesalers, retailers, fish markets and restaurants.
We’re very proud of what we have accomplished in just our first 6 years, and even more excited about what the future holds.
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FMCC Scholarships | $7,000 | $14,000 | $7,000 | $16,000 | $16,000 | $16,000 | $76,000 |
| FMCC Endowment | - | $10,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 | - | $5,000 | $50,000 |
| Large Pelagics Research Lab | $1,000 | - | - | - | - | - | $1,000 |
| Golet Pelagic Fisheries Lab | - | $1,000 | $25,000 | $40,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $115,000 |
| SMCCF Withers Scholarship | - | - | - | - | $5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| W.S. Emerson Scholarship | - | - | - | - | $5,000 | - | $5,000 |
Our annual Youth Day, co-sponsored by Cabela’s, provides a fun learning experience for kids and adults.
Staff and interns from the Pelagic Fisheries Lab give hands-on demonstrations on some of the more fascinating fish found in local waters. Kids get a chance to stick hands, knives and saws into ocean sunfish, blue sharks and bluefin tuna while learning how scientists collect biological samples for research.
Meanwhile, local artist Nate Garrett volunteers his time and materials to provide demonstrations on the Japanese art of Gyotaku fish printing, and the kids get a chance to make their own fish prints. After a lunch prepared and served by Cabela’s staff, we move down on the docks for a crab fishing tournament where kids compete to catch and learn about invasive green crabs. The kids then pick their best crabs and enter them into a derby race. Prizes were awarded for the biggest crabs, the most crabs, the weirdest catch and the top five finishers in our crab race. All activities are free and open to the public.
Our big event under the tent provides a chance for fishermen, friends and families to get together for an evening of libation, celebration and fun, all for a good cause.
We are, after all, a tuna tournament, and part of the funds we raise through tournament registration is awarded to recognize the accomplishments of our anglers.
Isaac Molt Redemption
635
103.25”
Bobby Strong, Amy Lynn
612.5
106.5”
Keith Jordan, Bailey & Bella
610
105.25”
Max Bogdonovich, Bogsea
591
104”
Kurt Christensen, Molly Jane
575
101.5”
Kurt Christensen, Molly Jane
575
101.5”
None of what we do would be possible without the incredible support of our donors. Please take a moment to read through the list of individuals and businesses who contributed. When you get a chance, please thank them for us and consider patronizing their businesses.
Diamond ($10,000 minimum)
Platinum ($5,000 minimum)
Gold ($1,000 minimum)
Silver ($500 minimum)
Bronze ($250 minimum)
We go above and beyond in making sure our sponsors receive the recognition they deserve, and we work with them in finding creative ways to do so.
