REGISTRATION:

  1. All contestants must complete an entry form to register and will be issued with a numbered tag on full payment of the entry fee ($120 per ticket or $95 for Early Bird buyers before 31 December 2009). Junior tickets are also available, restricted to 14 years and under, at $20 each (proof of age must be available on request). Junior tickets purchased with an Early Bird senior ticket will be only $10 each. Juniors will have their own fishing and prize categories however they are not eligible for any other category restricted to adult only ticket holders. They do have the option of buying adult tickets if they wish.

    Registration facilities will be available at our new base at Marsden Cove Marina, from 9.00am Thursday 25 February 2010. The numbered tag must be worn by contestants at the base at all times. A limited number of Day Passes into the venue are available at a $10 charge per day (must be purchased either with a fishing ticket or by someone holding a fishing ticket - for partners, friends and families of contestants; children under 14yrs are free), or $30 if purchased by someone not with a fisher. These must also be worn at the base. Fishing ticket holders will be able to collect their official Tournament caps (seniors and juniors), and this year, Tournament t-shirts (seniors only) from the base on arrival. Caps must be worn at prize giving to be eligible for prizes. Special spot prizes will be drawn for those also wearing their Tournament t-shirts.

  2. No entry fee in the form of cheques will be accepted after 15 February 2010.
  3. No prizes will be issued without proof of identity (individual contestant tag). You risk disqualification if you do not have your tag. Lost tags cannot be replaced.
  4. The entry form is an invitation to treat by the organiser. Sending in the entry form and 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.
  5. The organiser’s 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.
  6. Registration constitutes acceptance of the Rules and Regulations covering the Tournament, and all contestants agree to abide by the organiser’s and judges’ decisions.

TOURNAMENT RULES:

  1. Fishing will commence at 5.01am on Friday 26 February 2010 and end at 4.00pm Saturday 27 February 2010.
  2. Fishing will be with rods and reels only. Kontikis, kites, nets, spear guns and longlines are not permitted.
  3. The permitted fishing areas are as follows: (See Map A)

    Beach Fishing Section -
    All coastlines extending from Bream Tail, to Homepoint at Whangaruru (including Whangarei Harbour), but with the exception of prohibited areas as shown on Maps A & B. Land based fishing from any of the outer islands is classed as boat fishing.

    Boat Fishing Section -
    Boat fishers must stay within the boundaries of Bream Tail out to (and including) Sail Rock, the Hen and Chicken Islands and the 100m contour line around the Mokahinau Islands, extending across to Homepoint at Whangaruru. Also incorporates Whangarei Harbour. Note the reserves that are prohibited fishing areas as shown on Map B.

    Kayak fishers -
    Kayak fishers register under boat category and in order to gain “level playing field” may be towed/carried to outer fishing areas. The following safety equipment are compulsory: light, buoyancy vest worn at all times, flare, high visibility flag, cap or hat, and at least one form of communication.

    Fishing section map A and B

    The organiser’s 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.

  4. Cheating results in instant disqualification, and those caught will be banned from any future Tournaments organised by the Tournament organiser. Contestants must be prepared to be interviewed regarding their catch.
    Fishing within the prohibited areas (see Map B) will also result in disqualification.
  5. Before you begin fishing make sure that you are clear on all the rules - if in doubt ask the officials as no warning will be given. Any contestant who commit’s a breach of the rules shall 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.

BEACH FISHING CONTESTANTS:

Please use access points to the beach that are already established. A detailed map showing vehicle access points will be available from our office at the venue.

Tournament organiser’s prefer you to walk onto the beach, but if you must take a vehicle onto the beach you must have a fire extinguisher with you, do not exceed 50kmh and please use common sense. The Department of Conservation have several fenced-off areas along the beach that are breeding grounds for our native birds, so please respect these out-of-bound areas, and follow any D.O.C. staff instructions. The Ruakaka Surf Lifesaving Club patrol Bream Bay Beach and will have a flagged section of the beach for swimmers - fishers please stay well clear of these areas and where there are surfers or swimmers. Glass is not allowed on the beach. Marshalls will be patrolling the beach fishing zone and will be recognisable by their Tournament t-shirts.

SKIPPERS RESPONSIBILITY:

To ensure they only take the vessel out in conditions that are appropriate to both the type of vessel and your own skill level.

WEIGH IN:

  1. Weigh in will be from 2.00pm to 5.00pm Friday 26 February and 1.00pm to 4.00pm Saturday 27 February 2010.
    Final times to be in the weigh in queue are 5.00pm Friday, and 4.00pm Saturday.
  2. Contestants must be in the queue at closing time to qualify for fish weigh in.
  3. Fish inspections will be carried out at every weigh in. Only legal healthy fish will be accepted and the organiser’s reserve the right to reject any fish presented.
  4. The Tournament organiser’s decision is final and binding on all contestants.

FISH SPECIES, CATCH LIMITS & SIZE:

  1. If you have any queries regarding regulations, please contact your local MAF Fisheries Officer.
  2. All fish must be of legal size and each angler is restricted to the MAF Fisheries regulations applying on that day.
  3. Only the following are eligible as Tournament fish:

THIS IS A DAILY LIMIT - WE WILL NOT ACCEPT MORE THAN THIS ON ANY DAY

BOAT CATEGORY -

Species Daily Limit Minimum Size
Snapper 3 30cm
Kingfish 1 75cm
Trevally 3 25cm
Kahawai 3  
John Dory 3  

BEACH CATEGORY - Snapper, Kingfish, Trevally, Kahawai (limits & sizes as above)

PRIZES:

  1. All fishing prize winners are determined by computer weigh in.
  2. The Tournament organiser’s decision is final.
  3. If two or more fish of equal weight become eligible for any prize, the first fish weighed will be the winner.
  4. Prizes are as offered and are not redeemable for cash value.
  5. Winners must be on hand at prize giving each day to receive drawn prizes. If not prizes will be redrawn. Prizes become the responsibility of the winners once they receive them.

CANCELLED DAYS:

If a call is made for "stop fishing" at any time throughout the tournament, it is the fishers responsibility to listen to VHF reports from Coastguards or announcements on Radio Haruaki that will regularly announce the stop fishing call. Or you can contact the Tournament organiser if unsure (027 4330087). Stop fishing applies to all contestants regardless of category.

LIQUOR:

The Beach & Boat base is a licensed premise and like all other licensed premises, BYO is not allowed. Liquor will not be allowed to be taken into the marquee or other areas of the venue. Please respect this rule - confiscation is unpleasant for everyone. The is a family event and drunken or disorderly behaviour will not be tolerated - you will risk disqualification. We encourage responsible consumption of alcohol. Children 14yrs and under must leave the venue after prize giving’s each night.

GENERAL CONDUCT:

  1. All contestants agree to observe the Tournament regulations and bylaws, including the Northland Regional Council Navigation Safety Bylaw 2001. The following are 4 main points to note:
    Bylaw 2.1.1 Personal Flotation Device
    No person in charge of a pleasure craft may use it or allow it to be used unless it carries as many flotation devices as there are people on board, the devices to be of the right size for every person on board.
    Bylaw 2.7 Prohibited Anchorages
    No person may anchor or moor any vessel within any prohibited anchorages (some are shown in our maps provided).
    Bylaw 2.11.1 Damage to Navigation Aids
    No person may tie a vessel to any bouy, beacon, or other device or structure erected as a navigation aid or warning.
    Bylaw 3.2.1 Speed of Vessels
    No person may propel a vessel (incl. a vessel towing a person or some object) at a proper speed exceeding 5 knots:
    1. Within 50 metres of another vessel; or
    2. Within 200 metres of shore.
    Copies of the full Bylaw will be available at the venue and the Northland Regional Council will be patrolling the harbour and Bream Bay.
    Contestants operating their vessels during the hours of darkness must observe the Maritime NZ rule, part 22 Collision Prevention, requiring all vessels to carry and show navigation and anchoring lights at all times.
    Contestants agree to follow general instructions from the Northland Regional Council, MoF, the Department of Conservation, Whangarei District Council and Whangarei Volunteer Coastguard during the Tournament.
  2. We are concerned for the environment so please act to conserve the beauty of Bream Bay.
    NO FIRES, DO NOT FELL TREES AND PLEASE RESPECT HISTORIC SITES.
  3. Do not litter.
  4. Respect No Admittance signs.
  5. No Trespassing. Contestants trespassing on private land will be disqualified.
  6. Avoid using on-board toilets (unless you have a holding tank) within the Whangarei Harbour. Please use the toilets provided ashore. Urinating over the side of a vessel within the harbour will not be accepted.

OUT OF BOUNDS:

For our security and your safety, please respect out of bound areas which are clearly marked.

FIRES:

No fires. Gas cookers only at the base.

WATER:

Please do not waste water. We maintain a firewater reserve which will limit the peak demand.

RUBBISH:

Do not litter. Dumpster bins are provided for your use during the Tournament days.

DISCLAIMER:

  1. The organiser’s reserve the right to change or amend the Tournament at any stage, subject to advice from its legal or technical advisers, recommendation from the Maritime authorities or in the interests of public safety.
  2. 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. No refunds will be given.

BRIEFING:

There will be a briefing at the venue on Thursday 25 February 2010 at 7.30pm. Tournament organiser’s strongly recommend attendance at the briefing for safety reasons. The Northland Regional Council Harbourmaster will be talking to contestants about safety and giving vital information about shipping movements on Whangarei Harbour during the fishing days.