Australian Anglers Association, (WA Division) Inc.

Lancelin Angling and Aquatic Club Fishing Rules, July 2000

Prepared for the LAAC by Pat Shinnick utilizing the AAA Fishing Guidelines, Members of the LAAC and the West Australian Fisheries Dept.

TOURNAMENT RULES

1. FIELD DAY OFFICER.

The Field Day Officer has complete charge of the Competition and is empowered to report any Competitor, whom he considers has breached the rules, to the Disputes Committee.

2. NOMINATIONS.

All competitors must be financial members of the L.A.A.C to be eligible for points allocated for end of year prizes. Visitors are welcome and may win day prizes but not fish records. Members affiliated with the Australian Anglers Association (WA Division) Inc. are eligible for Australian Records Non-affiliated members are able to fish in the competitions, fish records will be recognized, "day" prizes will be allocated to all person/s with the largest of nominated species.

All competitors must have nominated prior to the start. Late nominations will be accepted on the day until one hour after the nominated start time. Nomination fees will be $5.00 for seniors (Ladies and Men's) and $2.00 for juniors (Juniors are under 18 years of age on or prior to 30th June).

Deep Sea competitors All deep sea Competitors shall only be eligible for fish species prizes nominated for Deep Sea on the day, but are able to weigh in all-eligible LAAC Species.

Bay Fishing competitors All Bay Fishing Competitors shall only be eligible for fish species prizes nominated for Bay Fishing on the day, but are able to weigh in all-eligible LAAC Species.

End of Year prizes All full financial members are eligible for the largest of species prizes at the end of the year presentations.

3. BRIEFING.

A Briefing Sheet will be handed to each competitor when they report to the sign on area to confirm their nomination prior to the starting time. The area will be attended one hour prior to and one hour after the nominated start time (e.g. 0600-0800 Summer 0630-0830 Winter) and will be at the LSSR Building top floor (Hopkins St).

4. MINIMUM BOATS IN COMPETITION.

Minimum of 7 boats in the Deep Sea competition

5. START PROCEDURE.

The competition will start at the nominated start time, by notification over the radio on frequency Mhz 27.91. All competitors should log on with Lancelin Volunteer Sea Rescue Group (VMR 688). All competitors must have SIGNED ON. All boats must leave from the Lancelin Bay. No boat shall leave this area prior to the start time (as nominated in Boundaries).

SIGNING ON AND OFF.

All competitors must sign on immediately prior to Start. Sign off by radio by 1500 hours. Sign on will commence at Nominated sign on time

6. POSTPONEMENTS.

In the event of inclement weather, the Field Day Officer and the nominated Safety Officer shall make a decision. If a strong wind warning is current for the area at 0400 hours on the competition day, the competition for that day shall be automatically cancelled.

The competition may be temporarily postponed due to unforeseen circumstances on the day. If this looks likely, a briefing of all skippers will be advised on the morning, approx 5 minutes prior to the nominated start time.

7. FINISH PROCEDURE.

All competitors MUST sign off by radio by 1500 hours. The fish shall be in the weigh in line at the LAAC Clubrooms no later than 1530 hours sharp. Late bags are automatically disqualified unless extenuating circumstances are allowed.

8. WEIGH-IN.

The weigh-in will be conducted at the LAAC Clubrooms commencing at 1530 hours. Whilst each competitors bag is being weighed, that competitor is responsible for nominating their fish for the largest of species prizes.

9. TOTAL WEIGHT BAG LIMITS AND ELIGIBLE SPECIES.

Each competitor may weigh fish of the nominated species listed below. Bags must contain only fish caught by the competitor weighing in, and must be washed. Bags containing undersize or protected fish will be automatically disqualified.

Note only one Samson Fish (Deep Sea Kingfish) per angler may be weighed in, on all Total Weight competitions.

10. SPECIES COMPETITIONS BAG LIMITS AND

ELIGIBLE SPECIES.

Each competitor may only weigh ONE fish of the nominated species listed below. Bags must contain only fish caught by the competitor weighing in, and must be washed. Bags containing undersize or protected fish will be automatically disqualified.

11. BAGS.

All fish to be weighed must be presented in a Hessian / cloth based bag or Suitable containers to minimize damage to the fish.

12. TOTAL WEIGHT COMPETITION POINT SCORES.

All class winners will be arrived at by points awarded based on the number of eligible species weighed plus 4 points per kilogram of total bag weight.

Total weight points are as follows:

No. Of Species	Points Value @ 4 points per Kg	Total Points
1	4	5
2	4	6
Etc	etc	etc

In the event of competitors scoring equal points, the competitor with the greater number of species shall prevail. Should they still be equal then the heaviest average weight per fish will be the determining factor.

In the event of any fish being hooked in or through the mouth by more than one competitor, the points attained for that fish must be shared.

13. SPECIES COMPETITION POINT SCORES.

All class winners will be arrived at by points awarded based on the number of eligible species weighed plus 4 points per kilogram of total bag weight. Only 1 of each eligible species may be weighed. Species points are as follows:

No. Of Species	Points Value	Total Points
1	7	7
2	8	15
3	9	24
4	10	34
5	11	45
6	12	57
7	13	70
8	14	84
9	15	99
Etc	etc	etc

In the event of competitors scoring equal points, the competitor with the greater number of species shall prevail. Should they still be equal then the heaviest average weight per fish will be the determining factor.

In the event of any fish being hooked in or through the mouth by more than one competitor, the points attained for that fish must be shared.

14. ANGLING LIMITS.

A competitor must not use more than two (2) rods or hand lines at any one time and each rod or hand line must not have more than two (2) hooks (A flight of hooks to be considered as one hook). A competitor may use any gauge line. Trolling is allowed at the skipper's discretion. A competitor must hook and land their own fish, but may receive assistance in gaffing, gilling or landing which does not entail the assistant handling his rod, reel or line. No power winches, setlines, drop lines, traps or hooks on marker floats to be used by competitors. Possession of any drop lines or set lines on any boat will lead to immediate disqualification of all competitors on that boat

15. SAFETY.

It is the organising committees recommendation that Skippers who fish Lancelin waters, do so in company of another boat for safety reasons.

16. SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

Safety equipment (as per Navigable Waters Regulations) must be carried by all boats and may be subject to inspection by the Department of Transport and the LAAC/LSSR Safety Officer.

Two-way radio Mhz 27.91 is the operating frequency throughout the day. Boats should log on with the Lancelin Sea Search and Rescue Group. Frequency Mhz 27.96 strictly for boat-to-boat communication.

17. BOATS.

All boats fishing in the offshore competition MUST BE 4.2 metres (14ft) minimum length or over.

18. LIABILITY.

All competitors and persons taking part in the competition do so entirely at their own risk and the Lancelin Angling and Aquatic Club and/or the Organizing Committee; will not be held responsible for any loss or damage sustained by any competitor or any other persons to their persons or effects. All Skippers shall make their own assessment of their Boat their Crew and the Forecast conditions.

19. BOUNDARIES.

Offshore: No limit, but all boats must leave from the Lancelin Bay Area, boats may be in the water but shall not leave the area bound by moorings nor shall any competitor fish prior to the nominated start time.

Inshore (Bay): Bay Area consists of the area bound by the extremities of the outside reef West of Lancelin, The outside line of the Horseshoe Reef North of Lancelin and the outside line of Edward Island. Boats may be in the water but shall not leave the area bound by moorings nor shall any competitor fish prior to the nominated start time.

20. DISPUTES AND DISQUALIFICATIONS.

ANY dispute must be reported to the Field Day Officer in writing no later than ten (10) minutes after the completion of the weigh-in. The Disputes Committee shall adjudicate on all disputes within these rules and their decision shall be final. Any competitor found to breach the rules shall be liable to disqualification.

The Disputes Committee will be chaired by the Field Day Officer, the Rear Commodore (or nominated committee person) and shall comprise one (1) member from the boat in question. If the dispute directly involves that person, a substitute on the boat may be elected. The verdict shall be decided by majority vote.

21. ALTERATION TO RULES.

The organizing committee shall have the power to vary the rules or arrangements to contribute to the smooth running of the competition.

22. TROPHIES PRESENTATION.

Trophies will be presented at the Lancelin Angling and Aquatic Clubrooms at approximately 1930 hours (7.30pm).

23. PROTESTS.

Protests regarding the final points or allocation of prizes and trophies must be reported to the Field Day Officer in writing within thirty (30) minutes of the conclusion of the presentations. After 30 minutes has elapsed, no claim will be allowed nor will the LAAC. Alter any results.

24. SPECIES PRIZES

Prizes will be awarded to the angler who captures the heaviest of each of the following species (Please Note: this is an example only, species will be nominated on the day)

FISH SPECIES

* BALDCHIN GROPER *
* BREAKSEA COD *
FLATHEAD
HERRING
* JEWFISH *
* PINK SNAPPER *
WHITING
TAILOR

Note: In the event that one of the above species (Deep Sea) is not weighed-in, a QUEEN SNAPPER * will be substituted. In the event that one of the above species (Bay) is not weighed a SKIPJACK will be substituted. · Deep Sea * is indicated by * *

25. ELIGIBLE SPECIES.

Eligible species, with reference to Sea Fishes of Southern Australia (Barry Hutchins and Roger Swainston 2nd Edition 1999) and The Marine Fishes of North Western Australia (Gerald R. Allen and Roger Swainston), are:

Ref no.	Common Name	Min Size (mm)	Plate References (Guide Only)
1.	Baldchin Groper	400	491
2.	Barracuda	500**	435
3.	Bream - Black or Yellowfin	250	308, 309
4.	Cod - Breaksea	300**	228
5.	Cod - Other	300**
	Wirrah or	200**	212, 213
	Queensland Groper or	200**	236
	Grey Banded, Chinaman, Estuary Cod	200**	232, 233, 235
6.	Cobia	500**	274
7.	Cobbler (includes Catfish)	430	89-91
8.	Coral Trout	450	(Northern book - 318)
9.	Dart - all	200**	287, 288
10.	Emperor - Red	410	(Northern book - 502)
11.	Emperor - Spangled	410	315
12.	Emperor - Other	280	(Northern book - 525, 527, 529-534)
13.	Flathead - all	300	194-206
14.	Flounder - all	250	615-619
15.	Garfish - all	200**	119-124
16	Groper Blue	400	439
17.	Herring	200**	307
18.	Herring - Giant	200**	63
19.	Harlequin	200**	230
20.	Jewfish	500	247
21.	King George Whiting	250	270
22.	Leatherjacket - all	250	627-652
23.	Mackerel (Spanish, narrow-barred)	900	589 (Northern book - 955)
	(Spanish, broad-barred)	750
24.	Mackerel (Shark, Spotted, Qld School)	500	587, 590, (Northern Book - 957)
	Mackerel (Other)	200**	586, 588
25.	Mahi Mahi (Dolphinfish)	500**	304
26.	Mullet - all	200**	431-434
27.	Mulloway	450	316
28.	Queen Snapper	410	425
29.	Salmon	300	305
30.	Samson or Amberjack	600	300, 301
31.	Shark - all	600**	1, 2, 18-19, 22-33, 35-38
32.	Snapper - Pink	410	310
33.	Snapper - Red or Swallowtail	230	142-145
34.	Pike (Long-finned, Striped Sea pike)	280	263, 437
35	Snook	330	436
36	Sergeant Baker	250**	83
37.	Sweetlip - all	300**	322, (Northern Book 507-513)
38.	Sweep - all (includes Moonlighter)	300**	351-354
39.	Tailor	250	273
40.	Tarwhine (Silver Bream)	230	311
41.	Trevally - all (includes Skipjack)	250**	278-286, 290, 292, 293
42.	Tuna - all (includes Bonito & Albacore)	200**	592-602
43.	Wahoo	750	591
44	Western Fox Fish	200**	442
45.	Whiting - all other	200**	264, 266, 267, 269
46.	Yellowtail Kingfish	500**	298

Fisheries Department or AAA listed minimum lengths apply.

Plate references are a guide only and are from Sea Fishes of Southern Australia (Barry Hutchins and Roger Swainston 2nd Edition 1999).

Plate references in bold Italics are from The Marine Fishes of North Western Australia (Gerald R. Allen and Roger Swainston).

· Sharks exclude all Wobbegong, Carpet, Port Jackson, Cat, Leopard, White Pointer, Tiger and Grey Nurse Sharks.

· Rays, Puffer fish, Toadfish, Gurnards, Boxfish, Firefish, Lionfish, Buffalo Bream, Drummer, Black Spinefoot and Sea Horses are not eligible.

· Fish with ** after the size indicates AAA or LAAC Sizes imposed all others are WA Fisheries regulated size limits.

· Fish with ** after the size will be overlooked on competitions specifically run for children.

NOTE: Any Angler fishing in any LAAC competition who discards whole fish after a competition (caught solely for points) will be automatically disqualified, from any angling event run by the LAAC or the AAA.

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Details Supplied by Pat Shinnick, LAAC.

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