MST Facts - Sharks Fund Fishing

The Monster Shark Tournament began back in 1987. This July we will be celebrating our 33^rd year of angling excellence.
The National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for maintaining the shark fishery in the U.S. waters of the North Atlantic. The MST has been approved by the N.M.F.S. Highly Migratory Species Division.
Each tournament vessel is required to have an NMFS permit, in order to fish for, catch, and retain, Atlantic sharks.
Monster Shark Tournament anglers have historically maintained an annual release rate of between 95% – 98%, of the total number of sharks caught during the two day fishing event.
The MST’s high minimum weight standards, species exclusivity, and incredible release rate history, prove this event is much more of a catch and release event, than a catch and retain contest.
The Monster Shark Tournament rules are based on those created by the International Game Fish Association, to promote fair and ethical angling practices.
Sharks to be weighed are subject to inspection by Boston Big Game Fishing Club and MST officials, as well as our collaborative team of scientists from N.O.A.A (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.
The Monster Shark Tournament was based out of the town of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard for 27 years, from 1987 – 2013.
The average boat length of vessels participating in the MST is 37′ long. While the largest shark caught in MST history, a 1,221 lb mako, was landed from a 24′ boat.
The Monster Shark Tournament has drawn anglers and spectators from all across North America. Anglers have travelled from Alaska, Florida, Texas, California, and even from Canada, to be part of the tournament.
In 2016, the MST arranged and funded the deployment of shark detection buoys off New Bedford and Marshfield, MA. While the New Bedford receiver recorded no shark detections, a white shark pinged one of the Marshfield buoys on 10/28/16.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Marine Fisheries, and the Massachusetts Environmental Police are responsible for managing fishery resources and enforcing fishery regulations in state waters (out approx. 3 miles). The MST works closely with the DMF in data collection and research.
The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for policing the high seas past the state water boundaries (beyond 3 miles). The majority of MST vessels fish between 20-75 miles offshore, in federal waters.
The Monster Shark Tournament is presented annually by the Boston Big Game Fishing Club. Boston sports legends including Bobby Orr and John Havlicek have fished the MST. In 1994, NHL pugilists Jay Miller and Chris Nilan joined forces to capture the MST title.
While a sport fishing endeavor first and foremost, the MST is widely recognized and respected by many marine biologists, for the tournament’s commitment to conservation and science. Teams of scientists congregate to the contest every summer, to take advantage of the unique opportunity to examine the sharks caught, during the two days of fishing.
Attending scientists from organizations such as the DMF, NOAA, SMAST, and others, acknowledge the MST as an exemplary event among it’s peers, not only for the wealth of data gathered, but also for the very high minimum weigh in standards, and for the incredible release rate of sharks throughout the history of the event.
Over 30 years, MST anglers have released approximately 25,000 sharks, including tagging over 2,000 sharks.
Scientific research done in Massachusetts, by members of the MSRP, suggest the post hook mortality rate of sharks in our surrounding waters to be very low, with an over 99% survival rate. Interestingly, recent scientific studies by other organizations are claiming similar post hook mortality rates for Atlantic bluefin tuna, and other tuna species.
While once open to more shark species, the MST has only allowed shortfin mako, common thresher, and porbeagle shark in the event since 2006. These species are common in New England waters and are great to eat. The taste and texture of these sharks are quite similar to swordfish when grilled.
Monster Shark Tournament programming has been featured on ESPN, Spike Network, and others. Millions of viewers have tuned in to the watch the MST coverage on these major cable stations.
The weekend of the Monster Shark Tournament was the busiest single weekend of the year for the businesses, restaurants, taverns, and shops of Oak Bluffs. Estimates of tournament generated revenue ranged between 3 to 4 million dollars.
The MST was the largest shark fishing tournament in the U.S. in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. The MST is still one of the most recognized sport fishing events in the world.
MST anglers have been participated in NMFS Co-operative Shark Tagging Program since the inception of the event. In 2010, a boat competing in the MST caught, tagged, and released a great white shark.
Sharks that are retained during the event are dissected on the pier by marine scientists from state and federal agencies, as well as by researchers from private institutions and academia. The various organizations present at the MST weigh station, collect weight and size measurements, tissue samples, DNA samples, as well as examining the stomach contents of the specimen.
After all the scientific data has been collected, the sharks are then processed by the MST staff and returned to their respective owner.
New Massachusetts state records for porbeagle shark (495 lbs) and thresher shark (630 lbs) were both set at the 2011 MST. At the 2001 MST, Cpt. Chris Peters and angler Luke Sweeney landed a massive 1,221 lb mako shark that still stands as the IGFA All Tackle World Record for the shortfin mako.