GFC of SA New Fishing Rules
for
2006/2007 Season

New Fishing Rules Glossary of Terms

ANGLERS

The Angler Must be a current financial member of G.F.C of S.A. or a Fishing Club that is affiliated either with or inclusive of S.A.G.F.A, G.F.A.A or I.G.F.A.

CALCULATING CAPTURE SCORING POINTS

The SAGFA Point Score System as shown below will apply:

Points = Weight of fish in kg × 100 ÷ line class in kg

For example: A fish weight of 5.7kg X 100 = 570 ÷ 2kg line class = 285 total capture points scored.

All Points claimed for fish captures within South Australian waters, Tournaments, Competitions events and including GFCofSA specifically nominated species will be accumulated towards a members total annual point score.

TOURNAMENT BONUS SCORING POINTS

Where a Tournament event has a reference to bonus points for extra Species this refers is to Captures and weight formula estimated Tag and release. Of species after the required FOUR (4) nominated categories have been achieved where the Fish went line class or double the line class for a Ray or Shark these categories are:-

  1. Catch a game fish
  2. Catch an eagle ray
  3. Catch a shark
  4. Tagging of a Shark, Game Fish or Eagle Ray

Bonus points acquired from obtaining the (4) FOUR categories above during a tournament will count for that tournament only. None of the bonus points will be used in the calculating of the Annual point score for the anglers or the boats.

WEIGHING

Weighing of fish shall be the sole responsibility of the angler. Fish may be weighed at sea, except for record claims which must to be weighed on land. Following and completing the GFCofSA State Record book or GFAA year book this record claim checklist will help you and is recommended.

RECORDING FORMS & PROCEDURES

(Please note: Recording Form books can be obtained from the Club Merchandising Officer. The same recording form will be accepted for the recording of record claims.)

  1. Recording forms must be completed in Full and forwarded to the club at PO Box 95 Stepney 5069 within 14 days of the date of completing the trip in which the fish capture occurred.
  2. If recording forms received by the club are incomplete. The clubs weight recorder will contact you to complete the form. If contact and completion of the form is not achieved in 7 days of receipt of the recording form it will be deemed invalid for club points processing.
  3. Recording Forms utilized for the claiming and recording of state or national & international records have a lodgement deadline of 28 days from the date of capture.
  4. Contact the Clubs Weight Recorder for alternative record form receipt methods.
  5. A witness to an angler’s capture is required when and where possible. It is important that any witness attesting to the angler’s capture be over the of age 18. If or when requested by the clubs Weight Recorder a signed statutory declaration be provided as proof of the capture, and that compliance with GFAA fishing rules where adhered to during and though out the capture.
  6. A Junior Member registered solely as a junior angler with the Club or falls under family membership registration as a junior who is not over the age of 16, is required to have their captures witnessed by a Senior Member of the Club for their recordings to be eligible for club points or trophies.

MINIMUM FISH AND SHARK WEIGHTS FOR TAG or CAPTURE

As per GFAA Rules the following minimum weights apply:

Game Fish = 1: 1 Ratio

Sharks = 2 : 1 Ratio
This means a sharks minimum weight must be at least twice that of the braking strain of the line used in its capture for it to be eligible to record. Having met this criteria points are calculated out as normal.

Eagle Rays = 2 : 1 Ratio
This means an Eagle Rays minimum weight must be at least twice that of the braking strain of the line used in its capture for it to be eligible to record having met this criteria points are calculated out as normal

ELIGIBLE SPECIES—CAPTURES

Only species recognised by GFAA and any SAGFA nominated species tagged and or captured in South Australian waters are eligible for points. Although all species recognised by SAGFA captured in South Australian waters could be claimed for a State record, also any of the species recognised by GFAA, IGFA Captured in any waters could potentially be claimed for an Australian or World record, or for the club perpetual trophy list.

TAG AND RELEASE

Note: GFAA rules and regulations for equipment and ethics for tag and release apply.

The GFCSA supports tagging programs for scientific data collection and the preservation of fish stocks. The Committee requests that, except potential record captures eligible fish for tagging purposes is released alive and in good order. There are no limits to the tagging of eligible fish tagged throughout the Season. However, some Tournaments may have a limit on nominated species, which will be advised accordingly.

ELIGIBLE SPECIES FOR TAG AND RELEASE

Only the Current State legal size limit for an eligible species will be recognized as the minimum size for tagging.

Members are asked to exercise the proper procedures for tagging fish and sharks especially when tagging smaller game fish. This will hopefully ensure a higher survival rate after tagging.

All game fish and sharks (Eagle Rays are also now eligible) as listed by GFAA, IGFA and or nominated by GFCofSA that are encountered in South Australian waters, are eligible.

Fish hooked out of bounds or out side the specific allotted time frame during a competition or tournament (unless hooked before the specific lines in time) will not be eligible for tagging points for that competition or tournament BUT will eligible to count towards the yearly accumulated tagging point score.

NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TAG AND RELEASE

  1. Undersized fish
  2. Fish hooked out of season, in aquatic reserve, during a specific government area closure
  3. Dead or Mutilated Fish, Shark or Eagle Rays
  4. Fowl hooked, Jagged, Trapped, Free Gaffed or Free Netted

TAG AND RELEASE POINTS SCORING

For fish that have met the line class criteria or double the line class criteria as in the case of Eagle Rays and Sharks. The tagging points awarded for your T/R will be calculated at 1.5 times that of capture points.

FOR ALL FISH THAT DO NOT MAKE THE LINE CLASS CRITERIA BUT ARE OF LEGAL LENGTH OR UNDER DOUBLE THE LINE CLASS CRITERIA IN THE CASE OF SHARKS & EAGLE RAYS BUT ARE OF LEGAL SIZE THE FOLLOWING SCORING TABLES WILL APPLY.

Subsection (A) CRITERIA TABLE (1)
When using a 10Kg Line Class and Under
Salmon, Snapper   50 Points will apply
All Other species   100 points will apply

Subsection (B) CRITERIA TABLE (2)
When using a 15Kg Line Class and over
Salmon, Snapper   0 Points will apply
All Other species   50 points will apply

WEIGHT ESTIMATION FORMULA

The committee has approved the following GFCofSA weight estimation formula to calculate the weight of fish and sharks, where it is intended to tag and release the Fish, Shark or Eagle Ray, where the skipper on the boat or the leader of a land based expedition deems it unsafe and or impractical to land and weigh the Fish or Shark. Secondary to this where it is deemed to cause undue stress or harm to the fish or sharks we ask all members to release the shark or fish in good condition.

Tagging Points can only be claimed using the Weight Estimation Formula if the fish is of legal size for that species and has met the line class criteria or as gone double the line class criteria in the case of a Shark. If fish is of legal size but does not make line class refer to subsection (A) & (B) CRITERIA TABLES (1) & (2)

If not refer to standard tagging points.

Length (cm) x Height (cm) x Height (cm) ÷ 6000 = Weight in kilograms

This mathematical formulated weight is then used to calculate tagging and bonus points for the tagged game Fish, Shark or Eagle Ray in the Normal Manner. Tag and Release Points for Fish making line Class or Double the line class as in the case for Rays and Sharks.

The tagging bonus points will be 1.5 times your calculated capture points.

For example
  (Length) 55cm x (Height) 25cm x (Height) 25cm = 34375 ÷ 6000 = calculated fish weight of 5.7kg
  Calculated fish weight x 100 = 570 ÷ 2kg line class = 285 capture points
  Capture points x 1.5 = tag bonus points = 427 total tag points scored.

FISHING BOUNDARIES AND TIMES

The boundaries, location and time of year will be chosen by the tournament director to allow the members to pursue specifically nominated species as well as seasonal species

  1. Only fish caught or tagged in South Australian Territorial waters are eligible for point score. Unless it is one of the GFCofSA specifically listed Fish or Sharks species which as been nominated for Capture or Tag points towards GFCofSA listed perpetual trophies category will be exempt from this rule.
  2. The bounds and times of fishing a particular Tournament or Competitions event will be distributed by the GFCofSA Tournament Director in the clubs news letter (The Pointer) or directly by mail prior, to the members before commencement of a fishing Tournament or the clubs yearly fishing season. The starting time will be referred to as the Lines In Time and a finishing time will be referred to as Lines Out Time. The location of fishing boundaries chosen will be described by the use Land mark boundary.

ILLEGAL CAPTURES

Will include all captures not complying with:

  1. G.F.A.A. Rules as laid out in a current copy of the official “G.F.A.A. Australian Game fishing Journal”
  2. S.A. State Fisheries Regulations will apply and must be adhered to, in all matters pertaining to and concerning the legal aspect of Fishing in SA waters (Refer to a current copy of “The Official S.A. Recreational Fishing Guide“). These regulations can also apply to equipment and it is each angler’s responsibility to be familiar and comply with these government regulations.
  3. Fish hooked out of season, in aquatic reserve, during a specific government area closure. (Refer to a current copy of “The Official S.A. Recreational Fishing Guide“).
  4. Any capture or tag and release made whilst an angler is receiving remuneration shall not be eligible for club trophies, awards or points (but it may be eligible to be claimed as a State, National or World Record).

BURLEYING

S.A. State Fisheries Regulations Will Apply. The state regulation does not prohibit the prudent dispersal of fish oil. However, any fishing activity must also comply with the requirements regarding where when and how it is used (Refer to a current copy of “The Official S.A. Recreational Fishing Guide“).

CARCASSES/FISH FRAMES

Anglers are totally responsible for the disposal of their unwanted fish burley, fish captures and or remains there of not taken or used on or during a competition or tournament. Unwanted fish burley, fish captures and or remains of Fish that are not wanted should be taken at least 3km out to sea and cut up before disposing of. NOTE: There are strict laws on littering and or contaminating of the environment that apply and there are heavy fines for indiscriminately littering and/or contaminating of our water ways and its associated environmental areas.

SALE OF FISH

Members are reminded that it is an offence in South Australia for unlicensed fishermen to sell fish or to give fish to a licensed fisherman. Any capture (or part thereof) that is subsequently sold shall not be deemed to be a legal capture.

SAFETY

All boats must be seaworthy and must comply with the SA Department of Transport’s regulations with regard to safety equipment. All skippers must be aware of the capabilities of their boat and should not put to sea or continue fishing should conditions be beyond those capabilities.

PROTESTS

A protest lodged for clarification and/or judgment of Equipment Regulations, Fishing Rules, Captures, Unsportsmanlike Behavior, Fishing Times, Boundary Infringements and Point Scoring issues during competitions or tournaments will be Judged by the “Tournament Committee” which will consist of the Weight Recorder, Tournament Director and the Technical Adviser, and their decision in these matters will be final.

COMMUNICATION

The GFCofSA Primary Radio Frequency for all schedules (Skeds) and communication as well as any relay base stations utilized for communication will be on a VHF band. Tournament boat entries will only be accepted if VHF is fitted. Any team or angler not complying with the duly appointed Radio Officer will be disqualified; notification of Skeds Times and Radio Procedures will be issued prior to the commencement of a Tournament or Competition. Failure to comply with Sked instructions will result in disqualification of Anglers and or teams. The Notification of Skeds Times and contact Procedure of communications for land based fishers will also be issued prior to the commencement of a Tournament or Competition.

TEAMS

A group of two or more anglers who have pre nominated as a team with the tournament Committee of the GFCofSA for a specific category section of a Tournament and meet the requirements of the GFCofSA rules and requirements for tournaments, anglers and teams This will not include any spectators, passengers, drivers of vehicles, onlookers, crews on the Vessels or any other non-competing or registered anglers involved with the team.

LAND BASE TEAMS

This will only be comprised of the two or more competing pre-registered anglers competing in a particular Tournament and will not include any spectators, passengers, drivers of vehicles, onlookers, Vehicles transporting the competing anglers or any other non-competing non- registered anglers

BOAT TEAMS

Boat teams will only be comprised of two or more competing anglers that have pre registered with the Tournament committee to fish in a nominated category section of a tournament and meet the requirements of the GFCofSA rules and requirements for tournaments, anglers and teams. These teams will only fish within that nominated category section, only on their nominated boats and only for that particular Tournament. This will not include any spectators, passengers or crew on the Vessel or any other non-competing or non- registered anglers involved with that team.

COMPETITORS WITHDRAWAL or RETIREMENT

  1. If in the event a team’s angler or anglers are unable to complete a Tournament. These anglers or angler may be substituted, only when and if prior approval of the tournament committee as been given. In the event a team angler withdraws and a substitution is not made, the maximum number of registered anglers in a team at the start of the tournament will be the number of angler used to calculate the accumulated score of that Team on a point’s score basis and will only be applied to that tournament.
  2. If a team member is retired sick or injured whilst fishing a tournament he may be substituted, but only if special approval is given by the Tournament Committee of the day.

VISITING BOATS NON-CHARTER

Visiting boats will only be accepted as an entrant into a tournament, subject to the nominated boat, anglers and or team complying with the GFAA and GFCofSA Tournament Committees Rules and Requirements for Tournaments, anglers and or teams.

CHARTER BOATS

  1. Teams and individual anglers will be encouraged to seek the services of Charter Boat operators to enable them to broaden the scope of fishing grounds, categories or competitiveness not normally available to them, an angler or team on a Charter boat will need to comply on entry with the GFAA and GFCofSA Tournament Committees Rules and Requirements for Tournaments, anglers and or teams.
  2. Charter boats on charter during a tournament will not be eligible for club Champion Boat but will be eligible for Champion charter Boat where more than One charter boat has entered, Where a club member has a charter operation, they will need to notify the committee prior to Tournaments, Competitions or the weight recorder on recording forms at other times, whether they are on charter or not.

MEMBERS RESPONSIBILITIES

The ultimate liability and or decision to put to sea, return to harbour, or continue fishing remains the competitor or individuals responsibility.

The GFCSA will not accept any responsibility or be held liable for any unsportsmanlike conduct, loss or damage to any persons or property, including personal injury or death howsoever occasioned at or during any of GFCofSA scheduled Competitions/Tournament Program .