"A similar contest was organised more than a decade ago, and some of the stories it generated were amazing. We think it's high time to collect some more."
The winner back then was a fisherman's account of an exhausted migrant peregrine falcon lost in a fog-bound North Sea.
"It spotted our fisherman's white vest and in desperation, used his chest as a perch, knocking him to the deck in the process," said Rachael.
Other accounts included one of an encounter with a large stag swimming far out at sea, and one grisly tale of an angry wolf-fish biting right through a thick Wellington boot and almost removing a big toe.
"We're hoping to hear about any out of the ordinary events that may have befallen fishermen out at sea," said Rachael.
The closing date for entries is Monday 31st March 2008 and there are free Sanctuary tickets for the best dozen runner-up entries.
"It's open to deep sea anglers as well as professional fishermen," said Rachael, "and if we collect enough interesting stories nationally there may even be a book produced."
Story-tellers should send their entries, as long or as brief as they like, to Fishermen's Tales, The National Seal Sanctuary, Gweek, Cornwall TR12 6UG, or by e-mail to mark.oakley@merlinentertainments.biz.
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