VENUE :

Participants will be able to fish out of their own ports.

TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE

Comprised of the Southern Zone Chairman and a representative from each Southern Zone club in attendance. The Committee are the sole adjudicators on all aspects of the Tournament and their decisions are final.

ENTRIES :

Entries must be in hand by the 18 March 2011 to be eligible and sent through Club Secretaries with full payment to PO Box 94 Woden, ACT 2606. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Fax 02.62313158.

INSURANCE

All competing vessels must be comprehensively insured and carry Public Liability insurance. Details must be completed on Entry Form. Failure to provide this information will result in exclusion from the Tournament.

TEAMS

Teams shall comprise a minimum of two registered anglers. Boats may have multiple teams fishing. Each club must submit a minimum of three teams to avoid penalty. Team members must be financial members of clubs affiliated with NSWGFA Southern Zone.

The transfer of persons or fish at sea will not be allowed except in the case where human life is in danger. No replacement of boat and/or competitors for the duration of the tournament unless due to unforeseen circumstances and then only with the express permission of the Tournament Committee.

SAFTEY

Boats should be seaworthy and comply with NSW Maritime Services Board regulations for safety equipment.  Skippers should be aware of the capabilities of their boats and should not put to sea or continue fishing in conditions beyond their capabilities.

GALE WARNING

In the event of a “Gale Warning” being declared by the relevant authority, the Tournament will be cancelled and all vessels are required to cease fishing and return to port.

The Tournament Committee will not accept any responsibility for decisions made by individuals.

PROTESTS

Any protests must be made in writing, signed by the team captain and lodged via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than 10.00pm on the day of the incident.  No protest will be considered after the set time of 10.00pm.

FISHING RULES

All GFAA and NSWGFA Rules for capture and tag and release apply to this tournament. NSWGFA minimum weights apply.

TAG & RELEASE POINTS :

As per NSWGFA line class tag & release point score.  Minimum length for Yellowtail Kingfish – 70cm and Sharks – 100cm T&R

LINE CLASS

Eligible line classes for this tournament include :

4,6,8,10,15,24,37 and 60 kg.

POINT SCORING

The NSWGFA point score system and minimum weights will apply.

ELIGIBLE SPECIES

As approved by NSWGFA at the time.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Anglers MUST USE the “Billfish Only” tag for all Billfish and no other species..

Circle Hooks ONLY are permitted to be used for live baiting and trolling natural baits. NB : No points will be scored for any species caught while using live baits and/or trolling natural baits with “J” hooks.

LINE CLASS must be on tag cards.  If this is not evident then the fish will be deemed to be on 60kg and therefore receive the lowest points.

FISHING TIMES

Saturday 19 March……………6.00am to 5pm.

Sunday   20 March……………6.00am to 5pm.

All captured fish and tag cards must be at the respective weigh station no later than 6pm on the Sunday.

WEIGHSTATION PROCEDURE

With the agreement of all participating clubs, fish and tag cards may be presented to the angler/boat home port together with all tackle used on the day of capture or tagging. All must be presented to agreed club personnel no later than 6pm on  Sunday 20 March 2011.

All capture certificates and tag cards MUST be faxed to Sanchia Glaskin on 62313158 or emailed to sanchia.glaskin@gmail.com by Tuesday 22 March 2011 to be eligible.

Prizes and trophies will be awarded at the Southern Zone AGM & Presentation lunch in July 2011.

CAPTURE/TAG & RELEASE RETURNS

Capture and tag & Release certificates must be completed and correct in all detail prior to submission. This includes the time of capture or tag and release and line class. Trophies will be awarded on the basis of the information given. Incomplete or incorrect certificates may result in disqualification of the fish concerned.

TIES

In the case of a tied result the trophy will be awarded to the “FIRST PAST THE POST”. Count backs will be based on the time of capture or tag and release as stated on the certificate.  If there is no time entered on the certificate, the time will be set as at close of fishing on that day.

CAPTURE CATEGORIES

• Champion Club
• Heaviest Billfish .. angler
• Heaviest Shark .. angler
• Heaviest Tuna  ..angler
• Heaviest Other Game Fish .. angler
• Most Meritorious capture by a junior angler

TAG & RELEASE CATEGORIES

• Champion Club
• Team Tagging most Billfish
• Team tagging most shark
• Team tagging most Tuna
• Highest point score small fry
• Highest point score junior
• Highest point score adult lady
• Highest point score adult male

CARCASSES

Anglers are responsible for the disposal of their captures with any unwanted fish taken at least 2nm to sea and cut open prior to disposal.

Competitors are reminded that it is an offence in NSW for recreational anglers to sell fish or give them to professional fishermen. Disqualification from tournament will result if this occurs.

MARINE PARKS

No fish to be disposed of within NSW Marine Parks.  Please be aware of any restrictions within Marine Parks. Penalty applies.

BAG LIMITS

Please note that bag limits apply in NSW waters. Points will only be awarded to fish captured in accordance with these bag limits.

RADIO

Anglers participating in this weekend tournament are required to sign on and off with their local marine rescue/coastal patrol.. All boats must be equipped with either a 27Mhz or VHF marine radio.

ALL TEAMS MUST SIGN ON AND OFF EACH DAY WITH RELEVANT AUTHORITY. Fish are not eligible until the vessel has signed on and it is the responsibility of the skippers to ensure that they are signed on before commencing fishing.  Do not assume that you have been heard, please make sure that your call has been acknowledged.

Penalties apply for any boat failing to sign off with designated radio base.

In the event of communication difficulties, skippers are to use all available means to maintain contact with Radio Base.  The skipper of any boat suffering radio failure must make contact with another boat and have them advise Radio Base of the problem. THEY MUST THEN RETURN TO PORT IMMEDIATELY.

TROPHY PRESENTATION

This will take place at the Southern Zone AGM and Presentation Luncheon to be held July 2011 at  Batemans Bay  Prizes fro this event comprise entry for four anglers to various Southern Zone Tournaments.

CONTACT

Sanchia Glaskin 0409 923 585

Don Goswell 0417770400

SANCTIONING

This Tournament is sanctioned by New South Wales Game Fishing Association.

Last year we had 23 boats and it worked well.

Hopefully we will get even more boats for 2011.

Fish out of your own port and  have a great time catching up with friends and competing to find the champion club in your Zone!

Free entry for four into a tournament in the Zone is well worth the small outlay…… so join in and have a go!

Stay safe and have fun.

Sanchia