2000
1st ANNUAL MARLIN CLUB
OFFSHORE INVITATIONALTOURNAMENT
September 8-9

TOURNAMENT RULES

1. The fishing area consists of a 70-mile radius from #1SD buoy. All boats must remain inside this area during fishing hours.
2. No shotgun start. Fishing starts on day 1 at 6 AM and stops at 6 PM, on day 2 fishing starts at 6 AM and stops at 2 PM. Vessels may depart from any port each day of fishing as long as they are within boundaries during hours of fishing.


TEAM REQUIREMENTS ALL TEAM MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO READ THE RULES

3. A team consists of no more than 5 members. Team captains are responsible for the actions of their entire team. At no time can more than 5 persons be aboard a participating boat during fishing hours (No guests or observers). Observer waivers may only be granted for NMFS personnel and media.
4. US, Mexican and California Fish and Game rules apply. (Proper licensing, permitting required.)
5. All participating teams must have a VHF radio and a video camera on board. Cellular or satellite phones and/or single sideband radios are also recommended.
6. Cash prizes will be awarded for tagged and released billfish. A "billfish" is considered a Striped, Blue or Black Marlin, Sailfish, Short-billed Spearfish or Broadbill Swordfish. A camera will be supplied to each team to record the tagging and releasing of each fish. Photographs must clearly show the tag in the fish prior to release. More than one photo can be taken to insure photographic quality. A subsequent photo must be taken immediately after each fish has been released as instructed by tournament control. Any team claiming a release may be asked to take an additional photo at any time during the day. Teams will be required to take a pre-determined photo after "lines out" on day 1 and a random photo before "lines in" on day 2. Each team claiming a tag and release(s) must return the camera, tag card(s), release affidavit and video to tournament officials on the final day of the tournament by the tournament submission deadline (10 PM on day 1, 5PM on day 2). Videotape of the catch is encouraged to protect against protests and to verify multiple hookups, but is mandatory only if requested. Tournament Control reserves the right to instruct that video be taken at any time during the Tournament.
7. All boats must promptly report hookups, team number, boat name, Lat/Long and angler name to tournament control on VHF CH 69 or by cell phone. Inaccurate position information is grounds for disqualification. In the event tournament control cannot be reached, another tournament vessel must be contacted for relay attempts via VHF or cellular. All hookups and releases must be confirmed by a Tournament Official to qualify.
8. In case of hookup just prior to "lines out" teams are allowed to continue fighting the fish but must still turn in camera and paperwork by tournament submission deadline to qualify.
9. In the event a fish comes up dead, the team must boat it without gaffing. To count as a release, the fish must be submitted to the SDMC for inspection on the same day of catch by tournament submission deadline. The entire fish must be donated to SDMC. It will not be weighed.


TACKLE AND GEAR RESTRICTIONS

10. IGFA rules apply EXCEPT only single hooks are allowed. 10' gaffs for tuna and swordfish.
11. Line testing 80 lbs or greater is prohibited except for Broadbill Swordfish. It is strongly recommended that no lighter than 30 lb test be used to facilitate the timely and healthy release of fish.
12. Maximum length of tag stick is 8' tip to tip. If vessel is equipped with longer tag sticks they must be removed from vessel prior to tournament. Discovery of long tag sticks is grounds for disqualification. Modification / extension of tag sticks (i.e. taping to a brush handle, etc.) is prohibited even if total length is still under 8'.
13. No spotter planes or commercial boat contact allowed during tournament days except as required by U.S. Coast Guard rules of the road.
14. No boat to boat contact (transferring of persons, tackle, bait, cameras, etc.) allowed during fishing hours or while hooked up. Teams will be allowed to transfer cameras and paperwork to other vessels only after lines out and only if NOT hooked up. The Tournament is not responsible for lost, damaged or late submissions. Transfer of fish or anglers is prohibited. In the event of mechanical or medical difficulties, Tournament Control must be notified and approve any transfers prior to occurrence.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

15. Tournament officials may elect to cancel either or both days fishing (or any part thereof) due to any factor

including, but not limited to, dangerous sea conditions. Any day or partial day fished will count as the tournament. There will be no makeup days and no refunds after tournament dates. If entire tournament is canceled, cash awards will be randomly drawn at awards banquet.

16. In the event no fish qualify for any or all cash awards or prizes, cash awards and prizes will be randomly drawn

among participating teams at the awards dinner. Winning teams receiving a cash award are not eligible for random drawings for unclaimed cash awards and prizes. Each team is eligible for only one unclaimed cash award or prize by random drawing, including all jackpots.

17. In the event no teams qualify for the daily jackpot on either day, the jackpot cash award will roll forward or back to

next or previous days qualifying team(s). If no teams qualify for the daily jackpots, each days jackpot award will be drawn randomly among the daily jackpot participants at the awards dinner.

18. If a team uses 15 or more photos on the first day of fishing, that team must turn in their camera for a new one by 10 PM. Any team may return cameras at their discretion any time before 10 PM on day1.


PROTESTS

19. Any protest must be declared to tournament control within 1 hour of "lines out" each day of fishing via VHF or telephone. Video or photographic evidence (if applicable) must accompany any protest. Supporting evidence and written explanation must be surrendered to tournament officials on the same day of the alleged violation before tournament submission deadline. Any team being protested will be notified immediately and is required to promptly submit any evidence refuting protest. The tournament committee retains the right to disqualify any catch deemed caught in an unethical manner. Any team found in violation of any tournament rule or performing actions inconsistent with the spirit of the rules may forfeit any and all tournament fees and prizes. Any team operating in an unsafe or un-sportsman like manner may be disqualified. All team members may be banned from future events.

SPECIAL PRIZES

PROJECTED CASH PAYOUTS

Based on 60 teams with an inclusive Swordfish jackpot of $100

(If no Swordfish are caught, the money is pro-rated toward 1^st through 4^th)

(NOTE: 5% of ALL team entry fees, including jackpots go to charity)

ENTRY FEE: $1,290

$1000 team entry fee
+ $100 Swordfish jackpot
+ $190 non-refundable membership fees to IGFA and THE MARLIN CLUB (a $300 value)
OPTIONAL DAILY JACKPOT: $500 per day ($1,000 total)

Paying to 4 places
65% payout on team entry fees, 85% on jackpots
1^ST PLACE TEAM: 40% of team entry fees
2^nd PLACE TEAM: 30% of team entry fees
3^rd PLACE TEAM: 20% of team entry fees
4^th PLACE TEAM: 10% of team entry fees

(If full participation is achieved):

TEAM AWARDS- 60 boats @ $1,000 = $60,000 x 65% = $39,000 payout to participants

1^st PLACE TEAM = $15,600 + $2,040 (if no swordfish are caught) $17,640

2^nd PLACE TEAM = $11,700 + $1,530 $13,230

3^rd PLACE TEAM = $ 7,800 + $1,020 $ 8,820

4^th PLACE TEAM = $ 3,900 + $ 510 $ 4,410

SWORDFISH JACKPOT-60 boats @ $100 = $6,000 x 85% = $5,100 payout to participants

DAILY JACKPOT-60 boats @ $1,000 = $60,000 x 85% = $25,500/day payout to participants

Total potential cash payout to participants (with 100% participation in optional jackpot) $95,100