The Yarmouth Shark Scramble, held in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, has been around for 11 years (as of August 2008) and draws a crowd of several hundred spectators from the area as well as from various parts of the world. There are also many international participants, as it is certainly not restricted to just Yarmouth residents. It is a contest which involves trying to catch the largest total weight of sharks or largest weight of a single shark. Dozens of boats and thousands of people participate in the event.

   The Shark Scramble is not only about the biggest catch. It is also useful for marine biologists to collect data on the sharks. Things like reproductive states, stomach contents (diet and food availability), study of Blue Sharks (which not much is known about in Canada), number, and age. The study of Blue Sharks in Canada relies heavily on the Shark Scramble or "Shark Derbies" because fishermen tend to discard them at sea when caught commercially which means scientists have less chance to study them. All of the sharks caught are sold to a local fish company to become meals later on.

   Aside from the contest and scientific value the sharks are almost completely use after the tournament. They can be eaten, their skin used as leather, the teeth used as ornaments and jewelry, the oil taken from their liver can be used for machine oil and cosmetics, and some parts are used to make animal treats.

   During this event there is entertainment for the public to enjoy such as live music is played by local bands, face painting, and more. To keep everyone fed on the waterfront there are nearby restaurants as well as food vendors.

   The event is growing by leaps and bounds each year due to word of mouth and overall popularity. We hope to see you there!