RULES:
- All boats must be registered to the Sturdivant Island Tuna Tournament (SITT). A representative from each registered vessel must be present and signed in prior to the Captain’s Meeting held on Wednesday August 6th, 2008. Any vessel that is not signed in prior to 7:00 PM at the Tournament Tent on that date will not be eligible to fish for that tournament year.
- General Category Rules prevail. No electric harpoons or airplanes allowed.
- All entrants must be properly licensed to fish in the General Category under National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regulations. Entrants have the option of selling their catch dockside to the local buyer of their choice at prevailing prices.
- Fishing may commence at 12:00 AM on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 and will conclude at 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 9th. SITT scales will close at 6:00 PM on Saturday, August 9th and all vessels with fish to be weighed must be tied to the scales dock at Spring Point Marina by that time (rafting is acceptable). Any vessel with a fish to be weighed that is not tied to the scales dock by 6:00 PM will not be accepted.
- All hookups must be reported or relayed to the SITT Committee as soon as possible. A second report or relay to the SITT Committee must be made, including the landing time, once the fish is boated (subdued, tail-roped and hanging from or lying on the deck of the vessel). The SITT Committee can be contacted by cell phone (number to be announced at the Captain’s Meeting) or via VHF FM channel 71 (primary) or channel 68 (secondary).
- All Bluefin Tuna (BFT) are subject to examination by the SITT Committee.
- All Bluefin Tuna (BFT) must measure 73” inches curved fork length (CFL) or greater to be eligible for entry in the SITT. In addition, BFT heads and tails must be left on prior to weighing by a SITT Weighmaster.
- All eligible fish will be weighed at Spring Point Marina and must be delivered on the tournament registered vessel upon which it was boated (All exceptions will be subject to discussion by the SITT Rules Committee. All decisions made by the SITT Rules Committee are final). Fish will be weighed by the tail using a tailrope provided by the SITT. Innards and gill plates will be weighed separately, if detached. Any fish found to have bullet wounds or any unnatural damage will be disqualified (not to include gaff and/or harpoon marks.) Please cooperate with the SITT Weighmaster in filling and returning your weigh-in slips. Please do not leave the weigh stand until your weigh-in slip is filled in and signed. Once signed, you have accepted the weight of your fish as final. In the event of a tie in weight, the first fish weighed by the official SITT scales will receive the higher prize.
- There are no limitations of fishing area nor is there a weather committee. The distance and decision to fish is that of the Captains and participants and is strictly at their own risk. Upon signing the Waiver of Damages, the SITT cannot be held liable.
- Protests shall be called to the attention of the SITT Rules Committee via radio, by contacting the telephone number provided or in person upon arrival at the dock. Protests must be written in detail and turned into the SITT Rules Committee by 8:30 PM the day of the incident (exception: Saturday, August 9th, 2008 by 6:00 PM). All decisions made by the SITT Rules Committee are final.
- If at any time during the SITT, NMFS declares that the BFT quota is fulfilled, the tournament will be concluded and awards presented that evening. In the event of an early conclusion, please direct all questions/concerns to the SITT Rules Committee.
- In the event of a NMFS closure during the August 7th through August 9th timeframe, the tournament will be held September 4, 5 and 6th with the Captains Meeting being held on September 3, 2008.
FACTS:
- Prize distribution will be awarded for the year 2008 Tournament as follows:
1st Place: $18,750.00 plus trophy for (1) year
2nd Place: $9,750.00
3rd Place: $4,500.00
4th Place: $3,000.00
5th Place: $1,500.00
In the event of NO FISH, all prize money will be added to next year’s Tournament.
If only (1) fish is landed; $37,500.00 and trophy for (1) year will be awarded.
If less than five (5) fish are caught, all prize winnings will be awarded proportionately.
- The disposal of fish is the responsibility of the angler after the SITT Weighmaster releases the fish. DO NOT dump fish entrails and/or heads at the marina.
- When traveling in Portland Harbor, the SITT Committee requests that all vessels observe the State of Maine rules and regulations. Please obey No Wake Zones and be mindful of lobster traps when traveling the inner and outer harbor waters.
- The address we use for your mailing is the one you provide on your application. If this is not the proper address or if you have a change of address, please notify us immediately by mailing the tournament or by e-mail at baitman@maine.rr.com.
- At the request of a boat fighting a fish, all others must stay clear.
- A SITT bag holding various “goodies” and a case of water will be given to each registered vessel during the Captains Meeting.
Updated: 15 October 2007
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