The 41st Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby will be held in Edgartown again this year, according to a release issued by the derby committee this week. And for the second year, the derby will not award prizes for the catching of striped bass.
 
The news release said: “Although local populations of striped bass were up in 1985, particularly school fish in the 20-to 30-inch range, the East Coast populations are still seriously depleted and need further protection. Therefore, the Vineyard’s derby will direct attention to bluefish, weakfish, bonito and little tunny (false albacore).”
 
Last year, despite the exclusion of the striped bass from the derby, the number of entrants and the value of prizes were greatly increased.
 
The even starts off at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 10 and lasts until Sunday, Columbus Day, Oct. 12 at 9 a.m.
 
This year’s top prize will be a Boston Whaler boat and outboard motor to be awarded to the fisherman who catches the largest bluefish.
 
In recent years, the derby has alternated its weigh-in station between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. This year’s event was planned for Oak Bluffs, but according to Arnold Spofford, a derby committee member, an adequate space in that town was not found.
 
“We are going to look at Oak Bluffs again next year,” Mr. Spofford said.