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| Large billboard in support of this popular event |
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| Good to have Scientific Researchers present on the docks. |
The annual shark tournament at Edisto Beach is transforming
into something bigger than just a fishing adventure. The 2017 contest marks the eighth year that
Edisto Water Sports has hosted the weigh-in at their docks located at 3731
Docksite Road. It’s becoming clear that this annual event energizes neighboring
businesses and the local economy too. At the end of the day it was longtime
participant High Expectations and Captain Chris Cook that won the first place
prize with a huge Tiger Shark that weighed a whopping 956-pounds.
With 35 entries in the Shark
Tourney, crews like High Expectations that come from out of town, stay for a
week and rent a beach house too. The dock at Edisto Water Sports was jam packed
with onlookers on Saturday June 10 during the entire weigh-in from 3:30 to
6:30, and t-shirt sales were brisk. The Coffee Shop was selling festive blue
margaritas dubbed ‘shark attack cocktails’ and the line to buy local shrimp at
Edisto Seafood was nearly out the door. Residents from Wyndham rode bikes over
to join in the festivities, and golf carts brought even more folks from all
over Edisto beach.
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| Local businesses join in the festivities |
Another important aspect of the
2017 shark tourney is the presence of law enforcement and scientific researchers.
SCDNR game wardens check on boat registrations and a federal officer checked on
permits required for keeping certain species such as sharks. The University of
North Florida sent Professor Jim Gelsleichter and graduate student Chelsea
Shields to take blood samples from any harvested sharks, targeting Tiger sharks
and Bull Sharks. They also conduct ultrasound studies on sharks as part of
their Coastal Biology Research program.
To view the entire feature story in the newspaper click on Colletonian.
To view past blog entries from the Edisto Billfish tourney click on 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009
To view past results from Edisto Saltwater events click on 2016 Jim Bost Memorial - 2016 Dolphin Slam - 2016 Cobia Tourney
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