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2001
OFFSHORE INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT RULES

BOUNDARIES

  1. The fishing area consists of a 75-mile radius from POINT LOMA ( 32 40.00 N / 117 14.50 W ). 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 6 PM. Vessels may depart from any port each day of fishing as long as they are within boundaries during hours of fishing.

    3.  

    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, GPS and a video camera on board. Cellular or satellite phones 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 (AFTCO TAG FLAG ) 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, bridge log and video to tournament officials on the final day of the tournament by the tournament submission deadline (10 PM on day 1, 10PM 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 08 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.

    10.  

    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.
  12. Maximum length of tag stick is 8' 5" 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’ 5".
  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.

    15.  

    SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

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

    16. 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 refunded minus 35% team entry and 15% jackpot entry.

  16. In the event no fish qualify for all cash awards or prizes, cash awards will be refunded minus 35% team entry and 15% jackpot entry. If less than 3 teams qualify for team awards, unclaimed cash awards will be divided evenly by qualifying teams. Prizes will be randomly drawn at the awards banquet.
  17. In the event no teams qualify for the daily jackpot on either day, the jackpot cash award will roll forward or back to

    18. next or previous days qualifying team(s). If no teams qualify for daily jackpots, each team entered will be

    refunded the jackpot amount minus 15%.
  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.

    19. PROTESTS

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. The Tournament Committee, at their discretion, may elect to administer polygraph testing by an  independent polygraph contractor to any team captain or participant. Refusal to submit to polygraph testing may result in   disqualification. Any decisions concerning protests shall be determined by the tournament committee and are final. Any interpretation of rules, qualification or disqualification, decisions on financial disbursement or any other decisions concerning the tournament will be made by the tournament committee and are final.

SPECIAL PRIZES

BEST PHOTOGRAPH (35 mm camera): The best photograph submitted during the tournament as voted by the tournament committee will receive a KODAK ADVANTIX camera.

THE TAG AND BRAG CONSERVATION AWARD ($500 + clothing): The teams that submit a NMFS tissue sample corresponding to a qualifying release will be entered in a drawing to receive the award. If no samples are submitted, the clothing will be added to the awards banquet raffle. Cash awards will roll over to next year. 

THE GRANDE TUNA: The team catching the largest tuna (Yellowfin, Bigeye or Bluefin) over 35 lbs during the tournament will receive (5)1 1/2 day passes aboard the GRANDE. Tuna must be submitted to the SDMC scales no later than the submission deadline on the same day it was caught. If no tuna qualify, each 1 1/2 day pass will be added to the awards banquet raffle.

SWORDFISH JACKPOT: The team catching the largest swordfish or releasing a swordfish in the tournament will receive the jackpot prize. Team must declare species at the time of hookup. The fish or evidence of release must be submitted to the SDMC no later than that same day's tournament submission deadline. If team chooses to release a swordfish, rule 6 applies. In addition to photos, a video clearly showing the tagging and releasing of the swordfish must be submitted to SDMC for review. In the event of a tie, the jackpot will be divided evenly. A weighed swordfish will count above a released swordfish for jackpot. A qualified swordfish release will count as 1.5 releases toward all billfish release cash awards and daily jackpots. If fish comes up dead, it must be boated and weighed. If no qualifying swordfish are weighed in or released, the total jackpot amount will be added to first place. 

ITOC QUALIFYING AND BONUS: The team declared as the first place winner in the tournament will receive an invitation to participate in the 2001 Invitational Tournament of Champions event in Kona, Hawaii from the IGFA. Tie-breakers will be determined by AGGREGATE TIME OF HOOKUPS for qualifying catches(lowest combined hookup times, not length of fight). If the winning team has 3 or more paid MARLIN CLUB members, they will receive a $500 shopping spree at SAN DIEGO MARINE EXCHANGE, 5 pairs of Nautica sunglasses from The Sunglass and Optical Warehouse and $1,500 toward that teams entry fees in the 2001 ITOC, courtesy of THE MARLIN CLUB.

PROJECTED CASH PAYOUTS

Based on 60 teams with an inclusive Swordfish jackpot of $100
(If no Swordfish are caught, the money is awarded to 1st)
(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 3 places
65% payout on team entry fees, 85% on jackpots
1ST PLACE TEAM: 50% of team entry fees
2nd PLACE TEAM: 30% of team entry fees
3rd PLACE TEAM: 20% of team entry fees

TIES DETERMINED BY AGGREGATE HOOKUP TIMES

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

1st PLACE TEAM = $19,500 + $5,160 (if no swordfish are caught) = $24,660 + $1,500 SDMC member bonus totaling up to $26,160!

2nd PLACE TEAM = $11,700
3rd PLACE TEAM = $ 7,800

SWORDFISH JACKPOT-60 boats @ $100 = $6,000 x 85% = $5,160 payout to participants

DAILY JACKPOT-60 boats @ $1,000 = $60,000 x 85% = $51,000 payout to participants ($25,500/day)