Rules change for South Jersey Tournaments

[SJ-Rick]

South Jersey Tournaments has always supported legal, ethical fishing practices, and will continue to do so. However, even a seemingly simple rule can have far-reaching and unintended consequences. This was recently made clear at this year’s Big Rock Tournament where the largest fish, previously worth over $900,000, was apparently disqualified over a mate failing to hold a current North Carolina fishing license. We agree that the rules are the rules, but in light of this and other issues raised at that event, we have decided to review our own rules to avoid similar unanticipated problems.

We have always felt tournament rules should be concise and be limited to the fewest needed to ensure fair fishing competition. Going forward, where possible, we will leave regulatory matters and the associated penalties in the hands of the trained enforcement professionals and award our prizes strictly on the basis of compliance with our own tournament rules. We intend to focus more on what’s going on in the cockpit and less on what’s in the file cabinet.

In our next tournament, the Mid-Atlantic Tuna Tournament, Rule 19 has been changed to read:
“19. In order to be eligible for awards, prizes, and calcuttas, fish must be caught in compliance with all tournament rules. Said rules include conformance to state and federal size limits and possession of a current NMFS angling, general or charter/headboat category HMS permit.”

In no way is this change meant to condone illegal fishing or other behaviors. South Jersey Tournaments encourages and supports full compliance with all fisheries regulations, including a new federal angler registry, and will continue to work with law enforcement at all levels. South Jersey Tournaments prides ourselves on our 30 plus years of conservation and fair competition. We are sure that our thousands of participants, past and present, will understand the need for this change.

Those who are not on the registry can do so quickly and free at either CountMyFish.noaa.gov or (888)674-7411.

[canyongear]

allright...good on you guys!

[Stripersniper]

Sounds good to me. Thanks

[Russell A. Jost]

I couldn't agree more. Leave law enforcement to state and federal officials.
FYI, I have personally seen 4 different state and federal agencies in and around the marinas and walking the docks in Cape May. They will not hesitate to write you a citation (no pun intended) if you are not legal.