What does a shark's skin feel like? To start with, shark skin feels exactly like sandpaper because it is made up of tiny teeth-like structures. These scales point towards the tail and helps to reduce friction from surrounding water when the shark swims. Because of this, if someone rubbed the skin from the head towards the tail, it would feel very smooth. In the opposite direction it feels very rough, like sandpaper. But then, there is the silky shark that has small scales giving it a "silky" feel to the touch. Just ask any of the passionate sport fishermen who'll set out Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18, 2015, with the dream of catching the largest shark during the second annual North Atlantic Shark Tournament, the only charity event of its kind in the country!

The crews must follow stringent rules: all sharks must be caught on rod and reel; no harpoons, bang sticks or guns are allowed. Only Mako, Thresher and Porbeagle sharks can be caught, and all fish must weigh a minimum of 200 pounds to be eligible. At weigh in, one point is awarded per pound. In past years, 98 percent of all the sharks caught were released back because of underweight or wrong species. Shark weigh-ins will be conducted on Pier 3 from 4 to 8 pm Friday and 3 to 6 pm Saturday. Many prizes, both cash and donated, will be awarded, including a 12-foot Carolina skiff, motor and trailer donated by Atlantic Boats of Wareham, MA.

Where better to have a shark tournament than New Bedford, the home of sustainable fishing. Proceeds from entry fees and a raffle will benefit the Center for Sustainable Fishing, The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and the UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology. For more information, visit their web site: www.sharksfundfishing.com.

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