BIG FISH. HIGH STAKES. FIERCE RIVALRIES.

THE COMPETITION GETS PERSONAL IN THE FOURTH SEASON OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL'S HIT SERIES "WICKED TUNA"

Dangerous Battles, Intense Conflicts and Major Paydays Push Gloucester's Captains to the Brink in the Most Thrilling Season Yet

Wicked Tuna Premieres Sunday, Feb. 15, at 9/8c; Second Season of Wicked Tuna: North vs. South Begins Production Early 2015 in the Outer Banks

(Washington, D.C. - Jan. 20, 2015) - Last year, millions of viewers watched as one Gloucester captain dominated and outmaneuvered the entire fleet despite a difficult fishing season. But this season, the fish are larger, the competition is tougher and the top spot on the leaderboard is up for grabs once again. Wicked Tuna returns with an all-new season of peril and paydays on the high seas beginning Sunday, Feb. 15, at 9/8c on National Geographic Channel in the U.S., and will air internationally on National Geographic Channel in 171 countries and in 45 languages.

For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com/wickedtuna and follow us on Twitter (@NGC_PR and @WickedTuna) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WickedTunaTV).

Wicked Tuna gives viewers an in-depth look at the intense battles, fierce competition, crushing losses and major paydays of the country's toughest fishermen. In its third season, the show solidified its position among National Geographic Channel's top-rated series and gave rise to a spinoff, Wicked Tuna: North vs. South, which premiered as the network's highest-rated new series of 2014 and will film its second season in early 2015. Both series are produced by Pilgrim Studios.

For Gloucester's finest, fishing isn't just a way of life - it's an addiction. Their philosophy is simple: Go fish or go home. Last season on Wicked Tuna, Captain Dave Carraro (@TunaDotCom) of the FV-Tuna.com easily bested the rest of the fleet for the second time, while his rival, Captain Tyler McLaughlin (@PinWheelFV) of the Pin Wheel, suffered the worst season of his career. One captain is driven to repeat his success, the other is trying to save his reputation - but both must watch out for their competition. It's a new season, and now a new captain has the chance to rise to the top.

"Some people say I'm the most competitive guy out there," said Carraro. "Yes, absolutely. Last year we smoked the entire fleet, and my goal this year is to do it again."

"I'm fishing against not just some of the best fishermen on the East Coast, but some of the best tuna fishermen in the world, but at the end of the season, I want to be the No. 1 captain in town," said McLaughlin.

In addition to returning favorites Carraro and McLaughlin, season four welcomes back Dave Marciano (@CaptMarciano) of the Hard Merchandise, who fared well in Gloucester last season but is disadvantaged by the age and speed of his vessel.

"Every season, I think the more competitive boats write us off as a nonthreat," said Marciano. "My boat's not the biggest, the fanciest or the fastest in the fleet - that doesn't really bother me much. My goal in life is to support my family."

Captain TJ Ott (@tjHOTTUNA) of the Hot Tuna is looking to redeem himself after a slow season last year and has enlisted the help of his younger brother, Mike, to get things back on track. Fishing is a family affair on the Hot Tuna, and Ott hopes that he's finally found the right formula to bring in the big catches.

Additionally, Captain Paul Hebert (@PissahTunaPaul) is back at the helm of a new boat, the Kelly Ann, and is ready to make his mark this season. With a young daughter at home and his reputation on the line, the stakes are higher than ever for Hebert to succeed.

Rounding out the fleet are fan favorites Captain Bill and Donna Monte (@CaptBillMonte) of the Bounty Hunter, and newcomer boat Drama, captained by Paul Cheney. The fourth season also showcases the high-intensity action of harpoon season with veteran boat Lily, captained by Bill "Hollywood" Muniz (@CaptFVLily), facing off against Captain Greg Chorebanian of the Kristiana.

From battles that rage on for hours to multiday trips that span from Stellwagen all the way to Georges Bank, season four will be a fight to the finish. Fish will be caught, catches will be weighed, earnings will be counted and, in the end, only one captain will go home a champion.

In addition to its insider look at one of America's oldest industries, Wicked Tuna also sheds light on important issues surrounding the fate of the bluefin tuna. As the scientific community debates how best to preserve the species, American fishermen - including the Wicked Tuna captains - continue to adhere to U.S. regulations that determine size limits and quotas for the season. National Geographic Channel's consumer website, www.natgeotv.com/wickedtuna, features articles, links and message boards devoted to the tuna and oceans.

Season Four Episodes Include...

Wicked Tuna: First Blood Premieres Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, at 9/8c It's opening day of the new bluefin season, and every captain in Gloucester is angling to bring in the first catch and send a powerful message to the rest of the fleet. Captain Dave Carraro of the FV-Tuna.com wants to start strong in hopes of winning first place again, but he's got some stiff competition this year - including his former mate, Captain Paul Hebert, and his bitter rival, Captain Tyler McLaughlin, who have both enlisted new mates to help them put meat on deck.

Wicked Tuna: Anchor Anger Premieres Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at 9/8c Now successfully out of his slump, Captain Tyler McLaughlin sets his sights on beating Captain Dave Carraro on the FV-Tuna.com, but takes the rivalry too far by playing a mindless prank on the veteran captain, causing tensions to spill over onto the dock. Meanwhile, Captain Dave Marciano, joined by his nephew and son, is trying to land his first fish of the year. On board the Hot Tuna, Captain TJ Ott's brother Mike joins the crew, leading to some family-sized growing pains.

Wicked Tuna: Bluefin Beatdown Premieres Sunday, March 1, 2015, at 9/8c Captain TJ Ott is eager to put more fish on the deck, but runs into trouble after the steering breaks in the middle of a catch, and only his brother's experience as a mechanic can bail them out in time. Captains Dave Carraro and Tyler McLaughlin are desperately trying to out-fish each other in this season's most intense rivalry. Meanwhile, Captain Paul Hebert of the Kelly Ann is trying to land his first fish of the season and break in some new mates along the way.

Wicked Tuna: North vs. South - Season 2

In the second season of Wicked Tuna: North vs. South, four of the New England captains once again steam their boats south to the unpredictable waters of the Outer Banks during the January-March bluefin season. The men must reach the evasive bluefin in the southern Atlantic waters before their North Carolina counterparts beat them to the catch; however, new and returning Southern rivals - including the all-female crew aboard fishing vessel Reel Action - will make the race anything but easy.

Wicked Tuna and Wicked Tuna: North vs. South are produced for National Geographic Channels by Pilgrim Studios. For Pilgrim Studios, executive producers are Craig Piligian and Mike Nichols. For National Geographic Channels, executive producer is Robert Palumbo; senior vice president of programming and development is Alan Eyres; and president, original programming & production, National Geographic Channel U.S. is Tim Pastore.

For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com/wickedtuna or www.foxflash.com.

# # #

National Geographic Channels

Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Networks. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission. Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD. In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation's major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in 85 million U.S. homes. Globally, National Geographic Channel is available in more than 432 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com.