FISHING RULES FROM 1ST JULY 1998
These rules supercede all previous releases of the Fishing Rules.
1. INTERPRETATION
For the purposes of these Rules, the following expressions will have the meanings assigned to them below:
1.1 "Additional Pointscore Day" means all days of the Port Hacking 100, The Botany Bay Anniversary and Port Stephens Interclub Tournaments, all days of the Central Zone Tournaments and all or part of the days of any other Tournament/s which the Committee may decide to nominate and publish in a fishing calender as a competition day/s for which points will accumulate towards a season point tally.
1.2 "The Club" means the Port Hacking Game Fishing Club Inc.
1.3 "Club Boat" means a vessel registered with P.H.G.F.C. Inc.
1.4 "The Committee" means The Committee of the Club.
1.5 "Competition Year" means the period 1 July to 30 June.
1.6 "G.F.A.A. Inc." means the Game Fishing Association of Australia Incorporated.
1.7 "Governing Association" means any or all of I.G.F.A., G.F.A.A. and N.S.W.G.F.A..
1.8 "I.G.F.A" means the International Game Fishing Association.
1.9 "Non Point Score Day" means all other times not consisting of "Fishing Time" on a Point Score Day as defined in Rule 10 hereof.
1.10 "N.S.W.G.F.A." means the New South Wales Game Fishing Association Incorporated.
1.11 "P.H.G.F.C. Inc." means the Club.
1.12 "Point Score Day" means the categories of both Regular and Additional Point Score Days.
1.13 "R.M.Y.C." means the Royal Motor Yacht Club – Port Hacking.
1.14 "Regular or Normal Pointscore Day" means the first and third Sunday of each month, or such other day/s as the Committee may decide to nominate and publish in the fishing calendar as a Point Score Day/s for which points will accumulate towards a season point tally.
1.15 Words imparting the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender.
2. INTRODUCTION
Except where specifically stated, The Port Hacking Game Fishing Club Inc. adopts and adheres to the Rules laid down by G.F.A.A.Inc. These Rules are set out in detail in the current edition of the Rule and Record Book published by G.F.A.A.Inc. which is distributed to every member of the Club, when made available by G.F.A.A.Inc.
3. GENERAL
Points shall be awarded for captures or tag and release of fish made by a financial or honorary member of any Game Fishing Club affiliated with G.F.A.A.Inc., fishing from any boat registered with the club.
4. HONORARY MEMBERSHIPS
Honorary membership may be granted to any visitor as set out in Article 7(1) of the Constitution of the Club and quoted hereunder...
"The President, after consultation with two members of the Executive Committee, or in the absence of the President any two members of the Executive Committee in consultation, may grant Temporary Honorary Membership to a person or persons for a period of not more than one month only."
On a Point Score Day it is the responsibility of the Skipper of the boat the Honorary Member(s) goes fishing on, to notify on the first radio sched of the day to the duty sched boat, the name(s) of the Honorary member(s). In addition it is the responsibility of the Skipper to collect a Honorary Member Fishing Fee of ten dollars ($10.00) per Honorary member nominated on the first radio sched, and pass said money onto the Secretary within forty-eight (48) hours after that days fishing. Failure to comply with this will result in the loss of all points for the boat for that fishing day.
5. LINE CLASSES
5.1 Line Classes are defined as the following:
Ultra Light Tackle 4kg and 6kg (NO sharks 4kg)
Light Tackle 8kg and 10kg
Medium Tackle 15kg and 24kg
Heavy Tackle 37kg and 60kg
5.2 In all instances, fish captured must be registered in the line class on which the capture was made, except in that instance where the line used breaks in excess of the line class claimed, and in this case it is automatically upgraded to the next class.
5.3 Due care should be taken by the angler if a Record Claim is contemplated, that G.F.A.A.Inc. requirements are met prior to cutting the line to provide the required sample. Refer the G.F.A.A.Inc. Record Book for details.
5.4The Committee may at its discretion, at any appropriate time, subject any line used on any competing boat to a line breaking test and may examine and measure any terminal tackle or other relevant equipment.
5.5 Line classes cannot be upgraded for expediency of weighing a fish as captured in another class, i.e. a fish taken on 24kg line cannot be claimed and be weighed as a fish on 37kg for trophy or other purposes.
6. BOAT REGISTRATION
6.1 The first official day of the Fishing Season is the Boat Safety Inspection Day. This day will be conducted at a place and time determined by the Committee. Current colour identification photographs of boats intending to be registered with the Club, if not already lodged with the Safety Officer must be supplied. The Club Safety Form must be completed prior to inspection.
6.2 A boat that passes Safety Inspection will be eligible to be placed on the Club’s Register as long as any fee has been paid that the Committee may set from time to time for Boat Registration.
6.3 Boats not meeting all the requirements of the Safety Officer, at the sole discretion of the Committee, may be permitted to compete for one calendar month after the initial inspection at which time the fault(s) must be rectified and the boat re-presented for final inspection. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the forfeiture of all points scored during that month and until the boat passes all the safety requirements.
6.4 All competing boats must be registered by 30th September of that Year, and if intending competing boats cannot attend the Safety Inspection Day, then it is the responsibility of Skippers to make necessary arrangements with the Safety Officer at a time and place wherever deemed necessary, subject to the approval of the Committee.
6.5 New boats entering the competition after the 30th September of that year, must be registered within one (1) calendar month of their first competition day. Failure to register within the prescribed time shall result in the forfeiture of all points.
7. P.H.G.F.C. Inc. BOAT SAFETY REGULATIONS 7.1 N.S.W. WATERWAYS AUTHORITY REGULATIONS
All boats must comply with the Waterways Authorities Regulations for the boat’s class.
7.2 SEAWORTHINESS
All vessels must be generally considered suitable, seaworthy and safe for game fishing in the opinion of the Committee. Their decision will be final.
7.3 MINIMUM LENGTH
Minimum of five (5) metres in length as well as meeting all other requirements determined by the Committee.
7.4 MARINE RADIO
All boats must be equipped with a 2 Meg SSB Radio with the minimum channels of 2524; 2284; and 2182KHz. Or; both a VHF Radio with minimum channels of 16; 67 8 72 and a 27 Meg Radio with minimum channels of 27.880; 27.940 and 27.960 MHz
7.5 LIFE JACKETS
Must be of approved design and one for every person on board, with minimum of three (3) at all times. The name of the boat is to be written on each life jacket.
7.6 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Minimum of two (2) of approved design with current certification and attached by approved brackets.
7.7 FLARES
Minimum of three (3) day, three (3) night and two (2) parachute flares.
7.8 ANCHORS
Minimum of one (1) reef - of appropriate size.
7.9. ROPE
Minimum of 150 metres of anchor rope and or chain and one (1) suitable towing rope.
7.10 BUCKETS
Two (2) plastic, one (1) with lanyard attached and one (1) metal bucket.
7.11 FRESH WATER
Minimum of two (2) litres per person on board. Allow four (4) days supply, all in appropriate containers.
7.12 BILGE PUMPS
Minimum of one (1) manual and one (1) electrical or mechanical... or as approved by the Committee.
7.13 COMPASS
Of appropriate design and in working order.
7.14 CHARTS
Coastal charts of the area, N.S.W.G.F.A.Inc. Central Zone grid charts and Club grid chart to be carried.
7.15 V DISTRESS SHEET
At least one.
7.16 BATTERY TORCH
In working order and waterproof type.
7.17 FACE MASK
Or goggles.
7.18 RATIONS
One (1) weeks supply of emergency rations.
7.19 E.P.I.R.B.
With at least nine (9) months recommended battery life before expiry.
7.20 FIRST AID KIT
A kit approved by the Committee such as the Ocean Yacht Category 1 First Aid Kit, or similar, must be on board in a suitable container. The minimum requirements are listed in Appendix "A" at the end of – this book.
7.21 FUEL LINES AND FUEL STORAGE TANKS
Must be to appropriate standard.
7.22 GAS STORAGE BOTTLES AND LINES
Must be to appropriate standard.
8. USE OF R.M.Y.C. FACILITIES
8.1 All club boat owners that use the R.M.Y.C. Marina Facilities (i.e Boat Ramp, Berths, Weighstation or Fuel Bay) must be financial members of R.M.Y.C.
8.2 Should any Club boat owner be suspended from the R.M.Y.C., his boat will be ineligible to compete during the period of suspension.
8.3 It is the responsibility of all members to ensure that they and their guests conduct themselves with proper decorum at all times whilst guests of the R.M.Y.C. and whilst using their facilities.
8.4 At all times Club boats and their crews must keep noise to a minimum in and around the weigh-station and adjacent R.M.Y.C. marina areas.
8.5 At the discretion of the Committee, Club boats and their crews and/or guests found to have brought the Club into disrepute may incur a penalty (See Rule 22)
9. POINT SCORE DAYS
9.1 Club Point Score Days shall be determined by the Committee, prior to the commencement of each Fishing Season.
9.2 Additional Point Score Days shall only apply to Club boats which have been specifically entered into and which comply with the conditions of the relevant "away" tournaments. On these occasions, Club boats which have not entered the specific Tournament shall be eligible for points only if the days of the relevant "away" Tournaments are also designated "home" Club Point Score Days.
10. FISHING TIMES
10.1 Fishing on normal Point Score Days shall commence at 0700 hours and finish at 1600 hrs E.S.T. and 0800 hrs and finish at 1700 hrs D.S.T. No berleying shall commence before the appropriate starting time. Where a fish is hooked but not boated before finish time, it may be played and if captured or tagged and released will be eligible for point scoring, as long as the sched boat has been notified prior to end of fishing being announced.
(see Rule 19.7)
10.2 Fishing time on Additional Point Score Days will be those times nominated by the applicable Tournament Committee hosting a Tournament the subject of an Additional Point Score Day.
11. BOUNDARIES OF FISHING DURING POINT SCORE & NON-POINT SCORE DAYS
In order to be eligible for points and trophies relating to Point Score Days only, the following is to be strictly adhered to:
11.1 Except as provided for in Rule 11.4, Club boats must on any regular Club Point Score Day depart from and return to Port Hacking on the said Day.
11.2 0n any Additional Point Score Day, Club Boats entered in a Tournament the subject of an Additional
Point Score Day must adhere to the fishing boundaries and conditions set by the applicable Tournament Committee hosting the said Tournament.
11.3 Rule 11.2 will not operate to prevent aClub Boat from claiming fishing points for the concluding day of such Tournament, where the Club Boat elects to return to Port Hacking and not the Tournament hosting Port.
11.4 It will remain within the Committee’s discretion to waive the requirement of 11.1 to return to Port Hacking where extraneous circumstances exist, including but not limited to for example dangerous weather, late hook-up of a fish, and difficulty in retrieving a capture to Port Hacking.
11.5 On any Non Point Score Day, Club Boats may fish from any port on the New South Wales coast as defined by N.S.W.G.F.A.Inc.
12. ELIGIBILITY FOR TROPHIES
Provided Rule 11 is strictly adhered to, Financial Members (not honorary members) of the Club will be eligible for such trophies as are listed in the Schedule hereto titled "Trophy List" on the following basis:
12.1.1 in respect of the trophies titled "Point Score Day Trophies" - for the highest fishing achievement in the respective categories occurring on a Point Score Day during each Competition Year;
12.1.2 in respect to the trophies titled "Perpetual Trophies" – for the highest fishing achievement in the categories occurring on any day during the Competition Year;
12.1.3 in respect of the trophies titled "Port Hacking ‘100’ Perpetual Trophies" - for the highest fishing achievement in the respective categories occurring during the "Port Hacking 100" tournament occurring each Competition Year;
12.1.4 Subject to Rule 12.1.5 all trophies in the said Trophy List are only eligible for achievement occurring aboard a Club Boat and within those boundaries defined by Rule 11;
12.1.5 The Ernie Palmer Trophy is available for award for the heaviest marlin captured in any waters aboard any vessel; PROVIDED the angler claiming the trophy provides the Secretary or fish recording officer within two (2) calendar months from the date of capture, sufficient evidence of the capture and weight.
12.2 With regard to the exception created by Rule 12.3, all captures during the Competition Year must be weighed by a Weighmaster appointed by a N.S.W.G.F.A.Inc. registered Game Fishing Club at its weigh station, or if that is not possible, the weighing must be in accordance with the Rule laid down by G.F.A.A.Inc.
12.3 The weighing of a fish the subject of a claim for the Ernie Palmer Trophy shall be in accordance with Rule or where not possible, in accordance with the Rules laid down by I.G.F.A.
12.4 With regard to the exception created by Rule 12.1.5, all capture certificates properly completed MUST be in the hands of the Point Score Recorder or Secretary NOT LATER THAN 14 DAYS from the date of capture or tag and release for Point Score and Non Point Score captures and tags, it being the responsibility of the angler to make the necessary arrangements with the Secretary or in his absence the fish recording officer appointed. Failure to do so will result in the loss of those points.
12.5 Not withstanding Rules 19 and 22, where a Club Boat is fishing out of another port in a recognised N.S.W.G.F.A. inc. Tournament the subject of an Additional Point Score Day, it is sufficient for that Boat to maintain the Tournament radio scheds provided the said Boat notifies the rostered radio boat (if any) being a Club Boat.
12.6 In the event of a claim for a trophy resulting from fish captured or tagged and released between 20th June and 30th June of each competition year, it is the responsibility of the angler to have the capture certificate in the hands of the Secretary or fish recording officer no later than the Sunday of the first week in July of the subsequent Competition Year.
13. POINT SCORE - CAPTURE
13.1 The rules relating to Capture of fish are as determined by N.S.W.G.F.A. Inc. from time to time.
13.2 The formula for the calculation of the capture points is as follows:
Weight of capture (kg)] x Factor
POINTS = -------------------------------------------------------------------
Line Class
The Factor component of the number is as follows:
Line Class Factor Line Class Factor
4kg 29.5 15kg 7.5
6kg 19.5 24kg 4.6
8kg 14.5 37kg 3.0
10.kg 11.5 60kg 1.7
13.3 Points awarded for the capture of Marlin or Broadbill will be double points calculated by the formula referred to in Rule 13.2.
13.4 Points awarded for the capture of Other Game Fish will be triple points calculated by the formula referred to in Rule 13.2.
13.5 Points awarded for the capture of all sharks other than Blue Sharks will be half points calculated by the formula referred to in Rule 13.2. In respect of the capture of Blue Sharks, points awarded will be one quarter points calculated by the formula referred to in Rule 13.2.
13.6 No points or trophies will be awarded for Shark captures on 4kg line class, however, Record Claims for Shark captures occurring on 4kg line will be received by the Secretary of the Club and subject to Rule 16, forwarded to the relevant Governing Association for processing.
13.7 The maximum points which will be awarded for any individual capture are as follows:
13.7.1 In respect of captures on line classes up to and including 10kg - 15,000 points plus one point per kilo of fish weight.
13.7.2 In respect of captures on line classes above and including 15kg - 20,000 points plus one point per kilo of fish weight.
13.8 Minimum Weights - As determined by N.S.W.G.F.A. Inc. or as amended from time to time by N.S.W.G.F.A. Inc.
13.8.1 Yellowfin Tuna - 15kg or Line Class whichever is greater and Line Class ONLY for Junior Anglers.
13.8.2 Marlin: 60kg - up to 10kg line
80kg - 15kg line & greater
13.8.3 Sharks: 60kg - up to 10kg line
80kg - 15kg line & up to 37 kg 120kg - 60kg line
13.8.4 O.G.F. - Minimum weight to be equal to Line Class.
13.9 Weighing of Gilled and Gutted Fish – The Club will accept gilled and gutted fish for points and trophies and record claims.
13.10 Sharks - NO SHARKS to be weighed with restrictive device on jaws. Sewing up of Shark jaws will automatically disqualify the capture. No Shark will be weighed with Choker in place or where a Choker has been used.
13.11 Southern Bluefin Tuna, Grey Nurse Sharks, and White Sharks are regarded as endangered species, thus these species are ineligible for points other than Tag and Release.
13.12 Selling of Fish - NO FISH SHALL BE SOLD OR TRADED.
14. TAG & RELEASE
14.1 The rules relating to Tag and Release of fish are as determined by N.S.W.G.F.A. Inc. from time to time.
14.2 Effective from 20 July 1996, the rules relating to Tag & Release are as follows:
14.2.1 All G.F.A.A. angling rules and equipment regulation apply until the fish is tagged.
14.2.2 Tag poles must not exceed 4.57m (15ft) overall length.
14.2.3 The tag pole or holding device must be in the hand when the fish is tagged.
14.2.4 One or more persons, in addition to the person holding the leader, may tag or assist in tagging the fish.
14.2.5 The tag needle must not protrude more than 50mm from the end of the tag pole or tag holding device, nor shall it exceed 5mm in diameter.
14.2.6 A fish is considered tagged and released when the tag is secured to the fish.
14.3 Effective from 20 July 1996, the following acts will disqualify a tag & release:
14.3.1 Failure to comply with G.F.A.A. angling rules and equipment regulations or tournament tag & release rules.
14.3.2 Failure to comply with all other regulations that disqualify a capture.
14.3.3 Use of a gaff (other than release/jaw gaff for the purpose of tagging).
14.4 Multiple Tagging of Fish:
The multiple tagging of any one fish previously tagged that day from the same boat is prohibited. Other fish previously tagged and released may be hooked, fought and brought to the boat in accordance with NSWGFA rules and tagged. This previously tagged fish may then be gaffed and brought to the weigh station for scientific purposes or released in accordance with NSWGFA Tag & Release rules. In both these situations Tag & Release points will be awarded.
The days points will be forfeited if a team is found guilty of breaching this rule.
The following are only species that are recognised by the Club for Tag & Release, and the respective points for same:
BILLFISH
Black Marlin 10,000
Blue Marlin 10,000
Striped Marlin 10,000
Sailfish 10,000
Shortbill Spearfish 10,000
Broadbill 10,000
SHARKS
Blue 2,000
Hammerhead (all) 2,000
Mako (all) 2,000
Porbeagle 2,000
Thresher (all) 2,000
Tiger 2,000
Whaler (all) 2,000
White 2,000
School/Gummy 2,000
Grey Nurse 2,000
TUNA
Bigeye 1,000
Bluefin 1,000
Dogtooth 1,000
S/Bluefin 1,000
Yellowfin 1,000
Longtail 500
Albacore 500
Other
Wahoo 500
Spanish Mackerals 500
Yellowtail Kingfish 250
Cobia 25
Barracuda 25
Mahi Mahi 25
15. WEIGHING & RECORDING AT P.H.G.F.C:
15.1 The Official Weighmaster will be in charge of the Weigh Station at all times. In the event of his absence or unavailability, the President or a member of the Committee will make the necessary arrangements for weighing.
15.2 The Club’s Official Capture Form must be used to record all captures, with exception to a claim for the Ernie Palmer Trophy which must be made in accordance with Rules 12.1.5 and 12.3.
15.3 Prior to placing on the Jetty for weighing, all relevant forms must be completed fully, except for weight.
15.4 Captures will not be accepted for Club Trophies or Point Score unless they are made from boats which have been duly registered with the Club.
15.5 Fish may be recorded and weighed in the above manner for TROPHY AWARD fish between 1st July and 30th June of each competition year.
15.6 Special care must be taken so as not to have any blood, offal, etc. left on the weigh station or jetty. It is the responsibility of the Skipper to make sure these areas are cleaned up and that no annoyance is caused to members or other guests of the R.M.Y.C.
15.7 Capture flags and Club pennant must be flown at the weigh station.
15.8 All unwanted shark or game fish carcasses must be disposed of EAST of Jibbon Point ON THE DAY OF CAPTURE. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF THAT DAYS POINTS.
16. APPLICATION FOR NSW, AUSTRALIAN or WORLD G.F.A. RECORDS
The above claims must be in the hands of the Secretary within FOURTEEN days after capture and MUST be in accordance EXACTLY with the procedures as laid down by G.F.A.A. Inc. and MUST accompanied by the prescribed fee(s).
17. BUTTON AWARDS
All applications for Game Fish and Shark Award Suttons for capture and tag and release must be made through the Secretary in writing accompanied by the prescribed fee(s).
18. 5:1, 10:1, 15:1, 20:1, G.F.A.A. & I.G.F.A. AWARDS, MERIT PINS & PATCHES
Applications must be made through the Secretary WITH all requirements.
19. LADIES AND JUNIORS DAYS
19.1 The holding of Ladies and Junior Days will be decided by the Committee each year. These days will be fished under G.F.A.A. Inc. Rules on 4kg to 60kg tackle.
20. RADIO PROCEDURES
20.1 Radio scheds will be held on 2 MHz SSb Channel 2284, at 20 minutes TO the hour, with the duty boat calling the first sched at 0840 hours E.S.T. or D.S.T. and this will be immediately followed by a sched on VHF Channel 72. All boats must answer scheds promptly.
20.2 All positions must be given by grid map reference taken from the club’s current Grid Map. Details as to whether boat is Trolling, Drifting or Anchored must be given.
20.3 The 0,0,0, system of calling strike, hook-up and capture or tag and release will be used at all times. Details of Species, whether Tagged and released or captured - with estimated Weight, Line Class, and Angler’s name must also be provided.
20.4 A
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