The Homer Halibut Derby scheduled for Sept. 24-25 has been canceled, according to Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center Executive Director Brad Anderson.

Previously known as the summer-long Jackpot Halibut Derby, the competition was reinvented as a two-day tournament to protect the halibut population and to support the regional economy.

Anderson said in an email that many conflicts factored into the decision to cancel the 2021 event.

“When we decided to (delay) it from the original June 4-5 dates to September 24-25, we didn’t realize how big of an impact hunting season would have on the potential audience for the tournament,” Anderson wrote. “So those conflicts along with the fact that the fishing charters would be shutting down after Labor Day — it just became too risky to have this be a successful event.”

Anderson also wrote that the increasing COVID-19 cases would have also impacted their ability to have the tournament if they had not already canceled.

The chamber plans to host either a derby or tournament in 2022.

For more information, contact the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center at 907-235-7740 or info@homeralaska.org.

Reach Sarah Knapp at sarah.knapp@homernews.com.