Five hours from the west coast of Nova Scotia, a 13-year-old girl achieved a world tuna-fishing record at the 22nd annual Wedgeport Tuna Tournament and Festival.
Délynn Jacquard, on board the Pelagic Predator, successfully landed a 711-pound (323-kilogram) tuna on Wednesday, potentially setting a new International Game Fish Association female junior world record.
Jacquard’s remarkable catch surpassed the previous record of 618 pounds, set by Nova Scotian Jenna Gavin 12 years ago in Ballantynes Cove.
Reflecting on the achievement, Jacquard shared, “I was unsure at first if I could do it, but then I did it and felt proud of myself.” It took her just over an hour to reel in the massive tuna.
Captaining the Pelagic Predator, Jacquard’s father, Camille Jacquard, a long-time participant in the tournament, witnessed his daughter’s impressive feat as a newcomer to big-game fishing.
Despite her success, Jacquard remains uncertain about her participation in next year’s tournament.
Brandon Doucette, a tournament board member, mentioned that it may take up to six months for the record to be officially recognized, but he is confident in its verification.
He explained that while IGFA records are based on pre-gutted fish weight, the Wedgeport tournament calculates weights post partial gutting. Jacquard’s tuna weighed 711 pounds fresh out of the water and 635 pounds after partial gutting.
Doucette highlighted the 2026 tournament as a year of record-breaking achievements, with another vessel, the Lucas & Noah, hauling in an 801-pound bluefin, the heaviest tuna in the tournament’s history.
The event marked the first time a fish crossed the 800-pound mark since the tournament’s inception 22 years ago, surpassing the previous record of 796 pounds set in 2014.
Doucette expressed his excitement at the multiple world and tournament records broken during the event, emphasizing the event’s significance in the community’s history.
He underscored the tournament’s role in celebrating cultural heritage while ensuring that all catches align with the region’s commercial fishing quotas.
In conclusion, the Wedgeport Tuna Tournament not only sets records but also honors the community’s rich history and tradition in big-game fishing.