ANGLER NUMBERS & REGISTRATION
All contestants must be registered first before weighing in any fish.

Contestants must carry their  angler number with them at all times. Random inspections will take place throughout the tournament.
One number per person. Numbers are not exchangeable between anglers.

All persons aboard a boat registered with the tournament must have an angler number or all persons aboard and the boat will be disqualified from the tournament.

No prizes will be issued without valid proof of identity. You risk disqualification if you do not have your angler number.
If your number is lost or stolen please let the tournament organisers know immediately. In this scenario a replacement number will be available at the event for $10.

The entry form is an invitation to compete by the organiser. Completing the entry form and paying the fee does not guarantee entry but constitutes an offer to compete in the tournament under the organiser's rules. Entry to the tournament is at the discretion of the tournament organiser and will only be complete when accepted by the organiser. If entry is refused, the entry fee will be refunded.

The organisers reserve the right to cancel the registration of any contestant whose conduct in their opinion is contrary to the spirit in which the fishing tournament is run. The decision of the organisers in this matter is final. No refunds will be given.
Registration constitutes acceptance of the rules and regulations covering the tournament, and all contestants agree to abide by the organisers and judges decisions.

BRIEFING
There will be a compulsory briefing at the venue on Wednesday 21st April 2010 at 6.30pm. The organisers will give important information regarding the tournament and will answer any questions. The harbour master will also be talking to contestants and will be giving vital information about shipping movements during fishing days.

TOURNAMENT
Fishing will commence at 5:01am on Thursday 22nd April 2010 and finish Saturday 24th April 2010 at 4:00pm.

Before you begin fishing make sure that you understand all the rules - if in doubt ask the officials, as no warning will be given. Any contestant who commits a breach of the rules will be disqualified. Failure to comply with an official's request will be deemed a breach of the rules and the contestant will risk immediate disqualification.

Fishing will be with rods and reels only. Kontikis, kites, nets, spear guns and longlines are not permitted.

The permitted fishing areas are as follows:

• Land based fishing
  Land based anglers must stay within the coastlines of the designated area map that is provided.
• Boat & kayak fishing
  Boat and kayak fishers must stay within the boundaries of the designated area map that is provided.

Fishing area boundaries are as follows:
You must be EAST of 175°12'16"E
You must be WEST of 176°10'10"E
You must be NORTH of 37°12'29"S
You must be SOUTH of 36°13'9"S

Fishing outside the mapped area will result in disqualification.

The organisers reserve the right to change the permitted fishing areas without explanation and contestants will be notified of any such change at the prior weigh-in.

Cheating will result in instant disqualification and those caught will be banned from any future tournaments run by the organiser.

Contestants must be prepared to be interviewed and have their photo taken regarding their catch at no cost to the tournament organisers. The tournament organisers and/or its appointees reserve the right to use this information in future publications.

Fighting or abuse will not be tolerated. Anyone caught fighting or abusing others will risk disqualification from the tournament.

WEIGH IN
The final times for contestants to be in the weigh-in queue are 5:00pm Thursday 22nd April, Friday 23rd April, the final weigh-in will be on Saturday 24th April at 4:00 pm. The official weigh station is at the tournament H/Q.

Contestants must be in the queue at the final closing time for fish weigh-in. The tournament organisers reserve the right to accept fish after the final closing time in special circumstances.

All fish weighed in each day must have been caught during the fishing time allocated.

All fish must be presented in good sellable condition. They should be kept chilled (not frozen). Fish inspections may be carried out at every weigh in. Only legal healthy fish will be accepted and the organisers reserve the right to reject any fish presented at their discretion.

You must have your angler number to weigh your fish in. You must have your angler number ready when weighing in fish so your catch can be noted against your entry number. Only the angler who catches the fish can weigh the fish in.

MAF (Ministry of Fisheries) daily limits must be adhered to.

Anglers will be notified of minimum fish weights each day.

The Tournament organisers decision is final and binding on all contestants.

FISH SPECIES, CATCH LIMITS AND SIZE
If you have any queries regarding regulations, please contact your local MOF Fisheries Officer.

All fish must be of legal size and each angler is restricted to the MOF (Ministry of Fisheries) regulations applying on that day.

Only the following are eligible as tournament fish:  

Species	Daily Limit	Minimum size
Snapper	9	30cm
Kingfish	3	75cm
Trevally	*	25cm
Kahawai	*
John Dory	*

THE ABOVE TABLE IS A DAILY LIMIT - WE WILL NOT ACCEPT MORE THAN THIS PER ANGLER ON ANY DAY

Boat Contestants are to keep a radio available. Organisers will announce new minimum sizes to weigh in as previous fish are overtaken in the running for prizes.

You may not land more than 20 finfish per day per angler. All species are included in this total.

PRIZES
All fishing prize winners are determined by  official weigh in.

The tournament organiser's decision is final.

If two or more fish of equal weight become eligible for a prize, then they will be ranked according to their weigh in times with preference given to those weighed in first.

Prizes are as offered and are not redeemable for cash values.

Winners must be on hand at prize giving each day to receive their prizes. If a prize winner is not present, the prize will be redrawn. Prizes become the responsibility of the winners once they receive them.

CANCELLED DAYS
If fishing on any day is cancelled, prizes for that day will be drawn against all ticket numbers.

LIQUOR
Some liquor is given out in the tournament as prizes. No contestants 18 years or under will be able to claim any alcohol prizes, due to the Sale of Liquor Act NZ.

BYO is not permitted at the tournament venue during the tournament. Please respect this as we have gone to great lengths to have alcohol suppied at fair prices this year at the bar.

BYLAWS
All contestants agree to observe the tournament regulations and bylawsincluding the Environment Waikato bylaws. The following are 4 main points to note:
* Personal Floatation Device
No person in charge of a pleasure craft may use it allow it to be used unless it carries as many personal flotation devices as there are people on board, the devices to be of the right size for every person on board.
* Prohibited Anchorages
No person may anchor or moor any vessel within any prohibited anchorages.
* Damage to Navigation Aids
No person may tie a vessel to any buoy, beacon or other device or structure erected as a navigation aid or warning.
* Speed in Vessels
No person may propel a vessel (incl. a vessel towing a person or some object) at a proper speed exceeding 5 knots:
* Within 50 metres of another vessel; or
* Within 200 metres of shore.

Copies of the full bylaws will be available at the venue and Environment Waikato will be patrolling the Eastern Gulf Area. Contestants agree to follow general instructions from Environment Waikato, MOF and the Department of Conservation.

ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION
We are concerned about the environment so please act to conserve the beauty of the Hauraki Gulf.

Do not fell trees.

Respect 'No Admittance' signs and historic sites.

No trespassing. Contestants trespassing will be disqualified.

Please avoid using on-board toilets (unless you have a holding tank) within anchorages. Please use toilets provided ashore. Urinating over the side of a vessel within the Long Bay, Manaia, Te Kouma, Coromandel harbours will not be accepted.

For our security and your safety, please respect the marked out of bounds areas.

NO FIRES. Only gas cookers are permitted at the base.

Please do not litter. Rubbish bins are provided for you during the tournament days.

DISCLAIMER
The organisers reserve the right to change or amend the tournament and/or these rules and regulations at any stage, subject to advice from its legal or technical advisers, recommendation from the Maritime authorities or in the interests of public safety.

Neither the Tournament organiser, nor any director, official, contractor or employee of the Tournament organiser shall have any liability in connection with the Tournament for any damage caused to any vehicle, boat or other property, or loss of property or personal injury or damage of whatever nature or kind howsoever caused. The contestant agrees to sign a disclaimer form to this effect when uplifting the starter pack. Failure to sign this disclaimer will render the entry invalid. No refunds will given.