PORTLAND, Ore. (November 18, 2008) – One fish, two fish. How about 13,200 pounds of fish?

That's the amount of fish the Oregon Tuna Classic donated to Oregon Food Bank this year, along with $46,000.

“Last year we donated more than 7,200 pounds of tuna and $25,000,” Says Del Stephens chairman of the classic. “This year, those numbers are almost doubled. The events were an unparalleled success."

The Oregon Tuna Classic began four years ago as a fund-raising event in Garibaldi. A few teams of anglers raced for the biggest albacore, and the proceeds – fish and money - went to the Oregon Food Bank. Today, the event has expanded to include Newport/Depoe Bay, Hammond, Charleston and Garibaldi, each drawing as many as 65 or more teams with well over 1,000 participants.

The tournament has continued to grow each year. This year’s events included teams from Idaho, Washington and California, as well as one team from Samoa.

In all, 252 teams caught fish, and cash prizes were awarded to the top three. Many winners donated their cash prizes to Oregon Food Bank.

“That’s what this all about”, says Del Stephens, Oregon Tuna Classic chairman. “Even though it’s a competition, the main focus is the food bank.” Naturally, there’s some competition among fishermen, but not at the expense of losing sight of the purpose of the tournaments.

"The donation couldn't have come at a better time," says Rachel Bristol, OFB CEO. "Hunger in Oregon is, once again, on the rise and many of our regional food banks are distributing record amounts of emergency food."

“We couldn’t pull off a multi-day, multi-location series of events without the help of our fantastic sponsors and participants.” Says Stephens. “Companies like StarKist, G.Loomis, Rogue Brewing, Daiwa, Sailfish boats and many others came through at every turn to make these events a success."

2008 sponsors included StarKist, G.Loomis, Rogue Brewing, Daiwa, Sailfish boats, Mill Casino, Y Marina, Dura Industries, IFISH. Net, Allstate, Anderson Roofing, Englund Marine, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Bob’s Sporting Goods, Berkley 7 Strand, Fish Trap Lures, Ballyhood, Turman Tackle, Gamakatsu, ACR, Big Tuna Marine, Sterling Savings, Sea Tow, Terrafin, Rip Charts, Grundens, BDC Advertising, Applied Materials, Pelagic, Gamma, Colbach Law Office, Sport Fishing Magazine, Old Mill RV Park, Alika Charters, Tillamook Country Smoker, Malarkey, Dealer Supply, Eat Me Lures, Radius Management, Flex Staff, Port of Coos Bay, Frito Lay, Anglers Workshop, Fishing & Hunting News, Coho Designs, Guy Harvey, Dave Bartholet Gallery, Kingfisher boats, Fish Frontiers, Benchmade Knives, Hawg Quest, Beaverhill Productions, Oregon Steel, Ron Brockmann, Dennis Pendley.