COOS BAY — Something’s fishy. The real Charlie the Tuna’s going to be out and about at all events albacore in the next few weeks.

The giant, blue-skinned, celebrity fish will visit at least three events around town. Yes, the real Charlie the Tuna.

First, there’s the Charleston leg of the Oregon Tuna Classic, slated for the weekend of Aug. 9.

StarKist, represented by Charlie the Tuna, is the title sponsor of the event that could bring in several sport-fishing teams for a day of albacore fishing on the Pacific ocean. Event Port Captain Jim Pex said recently up to 500 fishermen, not including their families, may arrive to try their luck at catching albacore.

The tournament donates cash, fresh tuna and canned tuna to the Oregon Food Bank. Much of that also is returned to the communities in which the tournaments are held.

The Oregon Tuna Classic once consisted of only three ports: Hammond, Garibaldi and Newport. This is the first year Charleston will be included. StarKist is sending a Charlie the Tuna costume — as well as Charlie golf balls, golf club covers, balloons and more — to the event for someone to wear.

Retired Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Michael Hosie hopes he gets the chance.

“The thing is to promote albacore,” Hosie said. “Everybody wants to get their picture taken with Charlie.”

Charlie may be making award presentations at The Mill Casino-Hotel or milling with the crowd during the tournament.

Hosie said Charlie the Tuna also will make an appearance at the Charleston Seafood Festival Aug. 16-17. It’s at the Charleston festival that Charlie may make real history: Shaking the hand of Charleston Visitor Center’s Mel Campbell at the dedication of the new statue.

“This is a good photo opportunity,” StarKist Innovation Associate Brand Manager Dale Kane said in an e-mail.

Already, fresh, succulent albacore is offshore and moving in with the warmer waters. Commercial fishermen have been bringing in tuna for sale off the boats and in local seafood stores. A few sport fishermen, too, have reeled in some albacore.

He hopes to have a list of vessels selling tuna available or the public as well, Hosie said. The timing is perfect, he added.

That’s because, in addition to the Oregon Tuna Classic and the Charleston Seafood Festival, Hosie is working with chef Shawn Hanlin at the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute for the first Oregon Albacore Challenge.

On Aug. 16, coinciding with the seafood festival, between 15 and 20 chefs will visit the Bay Area for a tuna cook off. Each competitor in the challenge will receive one whole 12- to 15-pound albacore. Chefs are responsible for their own ingredients to make 10 portions of their signature dish for judging, photography and the public. They also must provide their own equipment and china, and will have two hours to complete their dishes. The recipes also will be made available. The event is sponsored by the American Culinary Federation, Oregon Albacore Commission, OCCI and StarKist.

The first-place chef will receive $500.

And yes, Charlie will be there as well.

“It’s all tuna,” Hosie said.

Hosie, originally very involved in fishing issues in the past, has been relatively absent from the fishing scene the past few years, but working closely with Rotary clubs to help disadvantaged children in other countries.

Without a commercial or recreational salmon season this year, he recognized opportunity.

“Fishermen will be catching more albacore tuna and need more promotional help,” he said in an e-mail.