"Wicked Tuna" Captains Fight Tirelessly for Bluefin Fishing's Top Spot, as Second Season Draws to Shocking CLOSE

Power Plays and Bruised Egos Are Forgotten as the Crews Rely on Raw Skill and Sheer Determination to Haul in the Most Exciting Catches of the Season - And One Captain Suffers a Devastating Loss

Two-Part Wicked Tuna Finale Begins Sunday, May 5, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, and Concludes Sunday, May 12, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

(Washington, D.C. - April 22, 2013) A storm brews on Gloucester's horizon as the final weeks of bluefin season begin for the fishermen on National Geographic Channel's hit series Wicked Tuna. Season two began with the introduction of a cocky young captain named Tyler McLaughlin and his crew on the fishing vessel Pin Wheel. As the season draws to a close, McLaughlin runs neck and neck with last year's champion, Dave Carraro of the FV-Tuna.com, threatening to unceremoniously dethrone Carraro and swipe his title as bluefin champion. Their epic battle plays out in a two-part season finale beginning Sunday, May 5, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT and concluding Sunday, May 12, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com/wickedtuna and follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NGC_PR and https://twitter.com/WickedTuna.

In a tremendous late-season effort, Paul Hebert, who was fired from the crew of FV-Tuna.com with just five weeks left in the season, continues to edge closer to his astounding goal of catching $50,000 worth of bluefin as a standalone captain of the fishing vessel Lisa & Jake. Hebert proves himself a formidable opponent and, given a full season as captain of his own boat, stands to challenge the other captains in their pursuit of the top spot next season.

Meanwhile, Captain Dave Marciano continues to rise above seemingly insurmountable issues aboard the Hard Merchandise, meeting every mechanical challenge he faces with an extraordinary bluefin catch that buys him time and keeps him in the game. After crushing losses this season, the Bounty Hunter limps toward the finish line with just two catches so far for the season. The pained faces of Captain Bill Monte, his wife Donna and first mate Scott, left an indelible mark on viewers who watched as an unlucky harpoon throw left Bounty Hunter empty-handed yet again after a valiant struggle to haul in a big fish. And, realizing the difficulty of going it alone, Captain Ralph of the Odysea re-enlists fan favorite first mate "Pirate," who has been absent this season. But will Pirate bring the booty, or will Ralph wind up regretting his decision to bring him back?

Fishing enthusiasts have responded with high praise for the second season of Wicked Tuna. Devoted fan and newly appointed CNN anchor Chris Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) tweeted that he was "Ridiculously pumped" for new episodes of the series and that he "Love[s] how these guys make a living while being conscious of improving the tuna population."

Wicked Tuna follows a group of spirited fishermen from Gloucester, Mass., as they make their living the way it's been done for centuries - man versus fish, rod versus fin, one catch at a time. The stakes are unforgiving, but the paydays can be huge, as the fleet navigates the frigid waters of the North Atlantic, searching for the magnificent and elusive bluefin tuna. One "monstah" catch can bring in as much as $20,000, but with a short fishing season and dwindling tuna populations, Gloucester's fishermen are fighting for their economic survival every time they set sail.

Season Two Finale Episodes Include...

Wicked Tuna: Money on the Line

Sunday, May 5, 2013, 9:00 PM ET/PT

In the first episode of a two-part season finale, Gloucester's reigning bluefin champion, Dave Carraro of the FV-tuna.com, starts the last week of the fishing season with a $20,000 lead over New Hampshire rival the Pin Wheel. For young Captain Tyler, the goal has always been to prove himself to the veteran Gloucester fleet and to make Pin Wheel the top-earning boat of the season. Captain Paul Hebert of the Lisa & Jake wants to fulfill his goal of earning $50,000 in just five weeks as captain, while Captain Marciano is desperate to put away money for his family and resurrect a season marred by pulled hooks, boat breakdowns and short fish. Longtime friends Captain Bill Monte of the Bounty Hunter and Captain Ralph Wilkins of the Odysea decide to fish inshore together to avoid the steep expenses associated with offshore fishing.

Wicked Tuna: Endgame

Sunday, May 12, 2013, 9:00 PM ET/PT

In the second season finale, a storm brews on the horizon as the final week of bluefin season continues. The FV-Tuna.com remains in the lead but hasn't caught a fish yet this week to build its lead. Nearest rival the Pin Wheel has two fish on deck from earlier in the week and has a third in its sights. Over on the Lisa & Jake, Paul caught three fish already this week and is well on the way to reaching his $50,000 goal. The storm threatens to force the Hard Merchandise back to shore, but with one already on deck they hook up again and fight for a second catch to end the season strong. When both FV-Tuna.com and Pin Wheel hook up for what will likely be their final time this season, their now epic rivalry draws the season to its shocking and heart-pounding conclusion.

Wicked Tuna is produced for National Geographic Channel by Pilgrim Studios. For Pilgrim Studios, executive producers are Craig Piligian and Mike Nichols. For National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Robert Palumbo, vice president of production and development is Lynn Sadofsky, executive vice president of programming is Michael Cascio and president is Howard T. Owens.

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