RULES AND BY-LAWS

*new rules added during the 2003/2004 season

The following Game Fishing Rules and By-Laws are in addition to those of QGFA (Queensland Game Fishing Association) and GFAA (Game Fishing Association of Australia), which you should read and get to know.
The Rules and By-Laws have been formulated to offer a level playing field for all club members. They also take the continued well-being of our local fishing grounds into consideration in a proactive manner. The following Rules, By-Laws and point scoring system are the result of many years of experience and evolution. However, it is within the clubs ethics that the club will have its strength including the following:
            - The manner in which anglers co-operate with each other in enjoying the sport we are all so passionate about;
            - The manner in which fish and their environment are respected and maintained;
            - Though there are weigh points available for species such as marlin, we would hope that none are specifically taken for these trophies.

1. FISHING YEAR
The fishing year for the club shall commence July 1 to June 30 each year.

2. FISHING RULES & EQUIPMENT
In accordance with GFAA record book.

3. CLUB RULES / BY-LAWS
(a) All members are to abide by the rules and By-Laws of the Surfers Paradise Game & Sport Fishing Club lnc (SPGSFC), as set down from time to time, without exception;
(b) IT IS THE DUTY of all members to see that members and visitors conduct themselves in accordance with the Constitution and these Rules and By-Laws.

4. PROTEST
Must be in writing and handed to Club Captain/Fishing Committee on the day of occurrence and the Committee decision is final.

5. MEMBERSHIP
       (a) All prospective applicants for new Ordinary membership will come before the Committee prior to membership being accepted;
       (b) Membership of any kind will not be formalised until the Committee has voted.
       *(c) Members joining on or after the 1st April in any Financial year shall be deemed to be paid up to 30thy June in the following Financial year.

6. ANGLER POINTS
(a) Only those members of SPGSFC who, prior to the capture/events, are financial, Honorary or Life Members are eligible for angler points or trophies;
(b) Any fish captured or tagged in a tournament not sanctioned by QGFA or GFAA will not be eligible for club points.

7. BOAT POINTS
       (a) To be eligible for boat points and trophies vessels must be registered with SPGSFC and carry in good order and condition all safety equipment specified by Qld Transport regulations;
       (b) At anytime, any two Committee members may request an inspection of a vessel to ensure all safety equipment carried is in good order and condition;
       (c) Visiting IGFA, GFAA, QGFA affiliated members or ANSA members may contribute to boats points, other guests may contribute to boats points on their first day of capture / tag only.

8. BONUS POINTS
(a) Tournaments / rallies organised by SPGSFC will attract double points for participating club members and boats;
*(b) Double points will also be awarded on all weekends.

9. CAPTURE CERTIFICATES
       (a) All capture certificates and QGFA Boat Activity Sheets MUST be correctly filled out and handed to Club Captain within 14 days of capture / tag accompanied by tag cards. Special extenuating circumstances will be at the discretion of the Committee;
       *(b) Only original tag cards will be accepted for club points from 1st July 2004.
       (c) During tournaments / rallies capture certificates and tag cards must be handed to Club Captain an day of capture / tag;
      (d) All June certificates and tag cards must be in by July General Meeting;
       (e) In the event of the official weigh master being unavailable a committee person may act in his stead.

10. WEIGHING
     (a) All fish MUST at least equal line class and should be weighed on day of capture where possible;
     (b) All fish MUST be weighed on certified scales;
     (c) In the event of fish being weighed on scales other than SPGSFCs' then scale's certification number, place of weighing and signature of Weigh Master must be noted on capture certificates or no points will be awarded.
     (d) In accordance with GFAA rules all fish MUST be weighed on land.

11. RECORD CLAIMS
Queensland and Australian record claims shall be endorsed by the SPGSFC in the event of such capture being made.

12. CARCASSES
      (a) All unwanted fish carcasses MUST be disposed of at least 1 km outside Seaway and not in the Broadwater or Canals;
      (b) It is the crews responsibility to dispose of all carcasses and to ensure they are kept out of sight.
      (c) Points will be forfeited if these rules are broken.

13. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Every angler on a vessel should be given an equal opportunity to catch a fish.

14. BILLFISH
      (a) Live Baiting is allowable but it is recommended that circle hooks be used on Billfish in tag and release situations;
      (b) All vessels MUST be in forward gear and covering ground (trolling) when LIVE BAITING for Billfish;
      (c) Billfish caught using LIVE BAIT will only attract one-third (1/3) tag points;
      (d) Billfish should be tagged and revived regardless of condition as many apparent dead fish do resuscitate given the chance;
      (e) No points will be awarded for Billfish tagged using 1 kg, 2kg or 3kg tackle.
      (f) No points will be awarded for Billfish tagged inside 100m (50ftm) using 37kg and 60kg tackle.

15. SHARKS
(a) The minimum weight for a shark to qualify for weigh points will be on a ratio of 10 to 1 of line class with the exception of a record claim,
(b) No chokers are to be used on sharks when weighing.

16. TACKLE
(a) At anytime, any two committee members may request an inspection of fishing tackle and equipment;
(b) Points will only be awarded for fish caught using pre-test lines;

       (c) Tackle categories are:
               (i) Ultra Light 1kg, 2kg, 3kg, 4kg;
               (ii) Light 6kg, 8kg, 10kg;
               (iii) Medium 15kg, 24kg;
               (iv) Heavy 37kg, 60kg.

17. FLAGS
       If flown:
       (a) Club insignia flag is to be on starboard game pole if the boat is so equipped;
      (b) All capture and tag flags are to be on port game pole if the boat is so equipped.

18. SAFETY
       (a) All vessels fishing offshore waters must be equipped with a good working 27MHz, VHF or MF/HF radio;
       (b) All vessels fishing offshore waters must log on and off with Seaway Tower VMR414 each fishing day
       (c) During tournaments / rallies all vessels fishing offshore waters must also log on and off with Game Fish Base each fishing day.
       (d) During tournaments / rallies all vessels fishing offshore waters must respond to each sked directly, by phone or by relay through another vessel. Failure to acknowledge two (2) consecutive skeds will result in Game Fish Base notifying Seaway Tower of vessels failure to respond. This may result in Seaway Tower orchestrating search and rescue.

19. SOLO FISHING
Solo fishing is permitted, however, for safety reasons it is recommended that you can someone capable of using the radio and taking charge of the vessel in the event of an emergency.

20. FISHING AREAS
        (a) Separate competitions will be run for areas known as LOCAL WATERS and COASTAL WATERS:
               (i) LOCAL WATERS - Windarra Banks in the south to Flat Rock in the north inclusive, including all creeks and rivers;
               (ii) COASTAL WATERS - All Australian waters outside LOCAL WATERS including all creeks and rivers.

21. CANCELLATION
(a) In the event of bad weather club fishing days will not be cancelled. It will be the responsibility of every boat owner to be aware of the weather forecast for each days fishing to decide if sea conditions are safe for their vessel to put to sea;
(b) In the event of a strong wind warning being issued *no club points will be awarded for any fish caught. Neither the Club nor the Committee shall be in anyway responsible for any loss damage or injury occasioned by a vessel putting to sea or remaining at sea in adverse weather conditions.

END