SA UNDERWATER FISHINGFEDERATION(SAUFF)NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

RULES AND REGULATIONS–2014

The rules contained below shall be interpreted within the regulations stipulated by the Marine Living Resources Act as well as any specific regulations pertaining to the area where such competition is to be held (for example Marine Protected Areas). Where there is a conflict, the regulations stipulated under the Marine Living Resources Act or other government legislation will take precedence.

The SA Underwater Fishing Federation (in future referred to as SAUFF) holds the sole rights to organize International as well as Interprovincial Individual and Team competitions in the sport of underwater fishing within the boarders of the Republic of South Africa. By definition underwater fishing pertains to the harvesting of bony fish using breath-hold techniques utilizing mechanical means of projecting a missile at the fish as defined by CMAS. SAUFF holds the sole right to invite teams from beyond the borders of South Africa to participate in any such event.

These rules pertain to the Inter Provincial Championships, Open Individual Championships, International Championships, and any other competition arranged by SAUFF.

SAUFF will award the right to host any of the above competitions to a Province/Area/Club,who in turn will select a The Tournament Organizing Committee and will run the Championships in accordance with the following rules.

The following terms are defined as follows:

International Competition: A team and/or individual competition in which a South African National team competes against a team comprising divers whose nationalities are not South African. Said international divers need not represent the same country.

Interprovincial Individual Competition: In future referred to as ‘Individuals’. Individual divers participate for the title of South African Champion. Scores are recorded as that individual diver’s catch.

Interprovincial Team Competition: In future referred to as ‘Teams’. Provincial Teams compete against each other. Individual diver’s scores are not recorded and only the team points are considered towards the winning Provincial Team Trophy.

National Championships – refers to both the Interprovincial Individual Competitions AND Interprovincial Team Competition

1. PARTICIPANTS:

1.1 Each Province/Area/Club (hereinafter referred to as a Province)whose clubs are registered membersof SAUFF may enter teams of three members and one ‘top man’.SAUFF will reserve the right to enter an ex patriot team, or under special conditions and invitational team which may or may not be made up of local and/or international athletes.

1.2 For the Individual Event, two divers plus a top man are permitted. However, should a day be used for both Individuals and the Team Event, the team event regulations hold sway. To compete in the individual competition divers need to be part of a team sanctioned by SAUFF

1.3 Competitors may not be less than 16 years of age. Minors shall be called upon to show that they have received due authority to participate from their legal guardian.

1.4 It is the onus of participating provincesto ensure that each diver selected is competent to participate in an extreme sport like Underwater Fishing when selecting athletes.

1.5 Individuals who are registered full members of SAUFF, but are not members of a Provincialor reside in an area where a Provincial team has not been entered may apply to the organizing committee to be included in an open team made up of such divers. These divers are eligible to compete for the individual trophy but the team will only be entered into the open division. The Organizing Committeereserves the right to refuse such individuals entry.

1.6 All participants at any Nationals must be registered full members of SAUFF. Competitors will be required to produce their SAUFF Registration Number before they will be permitted to participate (this does not apply to International competitors).

1.7 During the Championship a team captain must direct each team. These captains need to be made known to the Tournament Committee before the start of the competition

1.8 An official reserve may dive for a team, provided that the Tournament Committee has been advised prior to the commencement of the day’s diving. The reserve may be withdrawn on any of the following days, but once again, the Tournament Committee must be advised prior to the days diving.

1.9 Provincial teams will be divided into five leagues, namely A, B, C and Development and Veterans. The number of teams a Province may enter in the Championship will be determined by their A team's position in the league as follows:

1.9.1 A Province with their A team in the A league may enter a maximum of three teams plus Development and Veterans.

1.9.2 A Province with their A team in the B league may enter a maximum of two teams plus Development and Veterans.

1.9.3 A Province with their A team in the C league may enter one team plus Development and Veterans.

1.10 A province may enter 5 teams. The teams will be divided into A, B, C, Development and Veterans teams.

1.10.1 A Province may enter one team in the development league, provided that divers selected for this team have not participated in an Inter Provincial Championship before. Development teams will not be eligible for any of the Inter Provincial trophies, but individuals can be awarded any of the individual trophies.

1.10.2 Provinces may enter one team in the Veterans league, provided that divers selected for this team are over the age of 45 at the date of the commencement of the championship.

1.10.3 The winner of each league will be promoted to the next league. For example, the winner of the B league will be promoted to the A league. The lowest placed team of each league will be demoted one league with the exception of the C league. However, the team in the most senior league will always remain the A team. No Province may have more than one team in any league.

1.10.4 SAUFF reserves the right to alter the above league structure if and when necessary.

1.11 SAUFF may invite International Teams and/or Individuals to compete in its National Championships.

2. REGISTRATION TO COMPETE IN THE SA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: 2.1 Provincial bodies/clubs/individuals shall complete the relevant entry form

and return it to SAUFF or the Tournament Organizing Committee on or before the specified closing date.

2.2 Each competing team/individual shall pay an entry fee decided by the Tournament Organizing Committee.

2.3 Each team/individual must complete an indemnity form absolving SAUFF and the Tournament Organizing Committee, and their officials from any responsibility for any accidents or loss of equipment incurred during Nationals.

2.4 Each competitor must be in possession of a valid Underwater Fishing license.

2.5 The Tournament Organizing Committee shall provide each potential competing province an entry form and at least two months prior to the commencement of the tournament or competition by e-mail and/or fax. The onus is on each province to ensure that the host province is in possession of their contact details.

2.6 Any team or individual not complying with the provisions of Clause 2 will render itself/him liable to disqualification.

3. TOURNAMENT COMPETITION COMMITTEE: 3.1 The Tournament Competition Committee shall consist of a Chairman, who is

the President of SAUFFor his appointed tournament manager, and all the A league team captains.

3.2 Each Province may have one representative at a Tournament Competition Committee Meeting, however only the A league team captain’s shall have a vote. The Chairman shall have the casting vote.

3.3 Minutes shall be kept of the Tournament Competition Committee meetings and these shall be given to the SAUFF secretary.

3.4 Any decisions made by a majority vote of the Tournament Competition Committee shall be binding on all participants. Any intentional breach of the Committee's ruling will render the participants involved liable to disqualification.

3.5 It is compulsory for all the participants competing in a Championship to be in radio and/or cell phone communication with each other and the organizers so that in the event of accidents, delays or changes to duration, immediate communication will be possible. Cell phone numbers must be made available to the Tournament Organizing Committee as these will be disseminated to all teams.

4. BOUNDARIES, DURATION AND STARTING: 4.1 The Tournament Organizing Committee shall decide the limiting boundaries

of the competition.

4.2 No fish, other than recognized game fish species of the relevant area, and approved by the home Province, shall be shot within the boundaries of the Championship area for at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the Championships by any member of the competing teams. Any team member found to be doing so will be disqualified.

4.3 Any clause laid down by the Tournament Organizing Committee as regards areas, limiting fish, and the minimum and maximum weight limits for the Championships are irrevocable by anyone other than the said Organizing Committee, provided that the restrictions were made known to SAUFF when asked.

4.4 The Championship shall take place within a limited period of time to be decided upon by SAUFF. Daily competition duration may not be less than four hours or more than six hours.

4.5 The Tournament Organizing Committee shall propose the boundaries for the competition at least 3 months prior to the commencement and shall provide GPS marks of these boundaries along with the entry forms.

4.6 The NationalChampionships shall be held over 8 days.4.7 The Tournament Competition Committee may change the minimum or maximum

competition time and/or minimum or maximum number of days for the competition.

4.8 In deciding on a particular diving area, if the Tournament Organizing Committee or their designated representative feels that theTournament Competition Committee has moved a motion that in their view is unsafe, the Tournament Organizing Committee may veto such a motion, provided that such a motion was not passed by two thirds or greater majority. In the event of such aveto, the Chairman shall uphold the veto of the Tournament Organizing Committee.

4.9 No team participating in the SA National Championships, nor an individual from such a team, shall be permitted to scout the area or areas on the day of the competition i.e. during the period 00h01 to the officialstarting time. Furthermore, no competitor/team assistant,unless he is ordered to do so by the Tournament CompetitionCommittee to determine the safety of the diving conditions, shall enter the water before the official start time, and no boat is to launch before the approved launch time. This rule applies to each day of any Championship.

4.10 Under no circumstances are marker buoys to be tampered with or be moved by any teams or individualsother than the team or individual responsible for its anchorage or recovery.

4.11 The Tournament Organizing Committee shall decide if the mooring of boundary marker buoys to define the competition area will be necessary during the competition days. If boundary markers are required, it shall be the responsibility of SAUFF to moor such buoys. The starting point will be made clear to the competitors prior to the competition and team captains are to log in and out with the Tournament Organizing Officials. The Official boat will start the competition. The Tournament Organizing Committee will be responsible for any costs relating to the mooring and recovery of boundary marker buoys.

4.12 Any team delayed for the start of the competition should report by radio or cell phone in person to the official's forpermission and instructions to proceed.

4.13 The Tournament Organizing Committee may include additional regulations to improve safety provided these have been communicated with SAUFF.

5. UNDERWATER FISHING and BOATING EQUIPMENT: 5.1 Competitors shall be allowed to use the following equipment: mask,

snorkel, fins, protective suit, knives, gaffs,torches, reels, floats and line, fish stringers (no belt stringers) and weight belt.

5.2 One or more spearguns of spring, rubber or compressed air variety, loaded with the competitor's own muscularskill, may be used.

5.3 No auxiliary breathing apparatus (other than snorkel) or powerheads may be used in anyway to assist in shooting or fighting fish.

5.4 Any equipment not listed in items 5.1 or 5.2 must be approved by the tournament committee prior to the commencement of the Championship.

5.5 Floats must be used at all times when the diver is in the water. Floats must be a readily visible color, be a minimum of 1.5 litres, and be clearly visible in the water during choppy or rough seas.

5.7 A diver must be within 50 metres of his float all times. If he is found to be transgressing this rule he will be liable to have 5.0 points deducted from his score for that day. The organizing committee may enforce the use of floats attached to guns or the diver’s weightbelt.

5.8 It is forbidden to use gut to secure marker buoys, as the means of attachment must be clearly visible.

5.9 Allowing the optional use of Shark Pods will be decided upon by the Tournament Committee.

6. DIVING RULES: 6.1 Any fish wounded by a spearfisher can under no circumstances be claimed by

another competitor spearing it on the same day of the competition. 6.2 No fish shall be entered in the competition if it was speared while being

hampered by any line or apparatus, from swimming freely. 6.3 No help may be accepted in fighting a fish. Once a fish has been subdued

and brought to the surface, a competitor may only accept outside assistance in boating the catch.

6.4 Any competitor loading a speargun outside the water or leaving the water with a loaded speargun is automatically disqualified. It is also forbidden to have a loaded speargun attached to the buoy.

6.5 It is forbidden to exchange catches. Any competitor found doing so will be disqualified and banned from competing in any future SAUFF events.

6.6 Fish will be weighed in without guts and gills as decided by SAUFF.If the fish are gutted, an official must check the gutted fish at the weigh in.

6.7 All fish speared during the Championship shall be placed in a specially cordoned off weigh in area. Fish bags are to be clearly marked with a sticker or tie on label, stating the diver's name, team and Province. Removal of fish from the cordoned off area is forbidden. The Tournament Committee will decide the acceptance or refusal of badly damaged fish.

6.8 All participants must comply with the current regulations of Sea Fisheries and Marine Resources legislation and everyone is expected to be familiar with the current legislation relevant to the area in which they are diving.

6.9 It is imperative that competitors present no more than ONE FISH PER SPECIES with a maximum of TEN FISH PER DIVERor in the case of the team, THIRTY FISH PER TEAM and no more than THREE FISH PER SPECIESat the weigh in during the championships, unless otherwise stated by the competition permit. The practice of presenting more than that number at the weigh-in in order to determine which one is the heaviest shall not be permitted. This is a disqualifying offence: if so decided by the tournament committee.

6.10 The SAUFF President or the appointed Tournament Manager shall have the sole right to issue statements to the media regarding the Championship. Participants who are approached by members of the media shall refer these inquiries to the above office bearers.

6.11 For the Nationals Competition of 2013 in Durban, the use of chum (bait) and/or scents is forbidden. Any individual witnessed doing so shall be disqualified for that day.

6.12 For the Nationals Competition of 2013 in Durban, the use of flashers is not permitted.

7. SCORES: 7.1 All eligible fish score one point per kilogram plus the species points per

fish above the minimum weight to the maximum weight. 7.2 The minimum weight of a fish shall be decided by the Tournament Organizing

Committee, unless SAUFF or the Tournament Competition Committee decides to increase the minimum weight for a particular competition. In addition, an upper weight limit shall be imposed for points purposes. The appropriate Marine Living Resources and other legislation must be known by all participants and will be the over-riding consideration in all instances.

7.3 The following fish species will not be eligible in any SA Underwater Fishing competition: all cartilaginous fish, angel fish,Sea barbel, barbel eel, sunfish, brindle bass, potato bass,natal wrasse, puffer fish, trigger fish, old women, bat fish, eels, seventy-four, flute mouths, devil/fire fish, surgeon fish as well as any additional species nominated by the Tournament Organizing Committee.

All crustacean, molluscs, reptiles and mammals will also not be eligible, nor any species for which the authorities have declared a ban or closed season.

7.4 The Competition Organizing Committee must also make known, prior to the competition the names of any marine fish not eligible for that competition.

7.5 Weight must be measured to the nearest 10 grams. The scale must be correctly calibrated not more than six months prior to the Championships. It must be correctly positioned or held while weighing fish, and the weights must be witnessed. Where necessary, fish must be measured to ensure that they comply with the regulations. Weighing a fish that is shorter than the regulation requires shall be considered a disqualifiable offence. The tournament committee shall inform competitors of the method to be used to measure fish.Should it be found that the natural length of the fish has been tampered with (so called stretching) that competitor will be disqualified for the day.

7.6 If two or more teams/divers a score the same points, then the team/diver with the most fish shall win the competition.

7.7 The team captain and one team member shall be present within the weigh-in area during the weigh-in and witness therecording of the scores for the team in question. The captain shall witness the weights of the fish in his team's catch, whilst the other member witnesses that the scores are correctly recorded. Before the weigh master commences the weigh in for the next team, the captain shall sign the score sheet accepting that he is satisfied with the scores recorded.

7.8 Should a fish be presented for weigh-in which does not comply with legal requirements, then the athlete in question or the team in question will be disqualified for the day and a score of zero recorded. Should the authorities choose to prosecute, this will be within their right.

7.9 Daily scores will be normalized with the winner scoring 100%. The sum of these percentages will be used to determine the overall winners.

8. TROPHIES: 8.1 All floating trophies, hereafter referred to as trophies, which have been

or may be presented, shall remain the property of SAUFF and shall be competed for upon such conditions as from time to time, are resolved by general meeting or by the SAUFF Executive Committee.

8.2 All trophies are open for competition between all member provinces, and individual open trophies will be available for all participants.

8.3 SAUFF will hold floating trophies after presentation to the winner: SAUFF will engrave the trophies with the relevant particulars.

9. OFFICIALS:9.1 Officials, guides or crews of boats may swim without guns with the team

they are accompanying.

10. BOATS: 10.1 The use of boats in a competition is compulsory. 10.2 All boats used in the Championship must comply with the local regulations

governing the use of such boats. 10.3 All boats are to fly flag Alpha (diver down flag) whilst diving is in

progress. 10.4 Decision can be made by the Tournament Committee to allow less divers per

boat provided the Team Captain can remain in contact with his team at all times. No boat may have a single diver.

10.5 Echo Sounders and GPS may be used on all boats.

11. INTERPRETATION OF RULES AND COMPLAINTS: 11.1 These regulations may only be altered by an annual general meeting or

special meeting or by postal annual general meeting, except where it is indicated that the Tournament Organizing Committee may enforce special conditionsorspecial regulations made for a particular competition by the Tournament Organizing Committee. The Tournament Organizing Committee prior to enforcement must always sanction these special regulations with SAUFF.

11.2 The interpretation of any regulations by the Tournament Competition Committee shall be final.

11.3 The Tournament CompetitionCommittee shall have the power to enforce any of the laid down regulations or any decisions made by that committee.

11.4 Any complaints, which may arise, must be tabled within 24 hours of the time of the alleged offence. The complaint shall be in writing addressed the Tournament Competition Committee and be accompanied by a fee of R500.00. No complaints may be considered after the 24 hour period has elapsed. If the Tournament CompetitionCommittee does not up-hold the complaint, the amount shall be credited to SAUFF.

11.5 The competitor/s against whom the complaint has been lodged shall appear before the Tournament Committee who shall reach a final decision within 48 hours from the time that the complaint was lodged.

11.6 Any rule where a penalty is not specifically laid down, shall be adjudicated by the Tournament Competition Committee who may impose a penalty of a deduction of points from the team and/or individual or disqualification.

12. MEDICAL COVER: 12.1 The TournamentOrganizing Committee shall make provision for adequate

medical cover during the Championship period by ensuring that the local NSRI, Hospitals and other medical facilities are informed and the competitors are provided with relevant telephone numbers and extraction points.

13. GENERAL: 13.1 The times and venues of the sign on and weigh in for a particular

competition shall be made known to all competitors in the special regulations governing the competition.

13.2 SAUFF and/or the TournamentOrganizing Committee shall not be responsible for the disposal of all fish weighed.

13.3 SA Underwater Fishing Federation, the Tournament Organizing Committee, or their officials shall not be held liable or responsible for any damage that may be caused to equipment or loss thereof, nor for accidents, which may befall competitors who through theconditions of their entry accept the risks inherent to competition diving.

Nationals 2014 – Port Elizabeth

Dates:

Final Registration

Team Names to SAUFF/Tournament Organizing Committee: 19 April 2014

Areas Closed to Competitors/Assistants (pelagics excluded): 3May 2014

Teams Sign In: 17 May 2014 (Time and Venue to be decided)

Captains Meeting: 17 May 2014 (Noordhoek)

Competition Days: 18 to 24 May 2014 (Inclusive)

Test to be advised: 25 May 2014

Prize Giving: 25 May 2014 Time and place:……………

Areas

Four Areas are proposed these are:

Area 1: Algoa Bay harbor wall to Noordhoek Markers LineCo-Ordinates: S E

SE31

Area 2: Noordhoek Markers Line to Sardinia Bay Reserve East Markers SESE

Area 3: Bushypark from western Edge of Sardinia Bay reserve markers to MaitlandsCo-Ordinates SE

SE

The co-ordinates are all based on the WGS 84 Datum and extend out to sea at a bearing of 90° (due South)

Since Areas 1 and 3 are a long way from the official launch site (DUC) it is critical that all boats meet at a designated point at the end of the day’s diving and report in to the Official Boat prior to returning to the launch site. Provision will be made for emergency fuel to be on the Official Boat. It is critical that each skipper monitor fuel levels and report this to the Official Boat prior to retuning to the launch site. It is requested that as much fuel as possible be carried by each boat. Any boat not reporting to the official boat will have all members on board disqualified for the day. This is a safety issue and will not be compromised.

Species

Species bonus points will be assigned as per the attached list. The Following are NOT permitted in the 2010 Underwater Fishing Nationals:

Any cartilaginous fish (eg sharks, rays, electric rays, sandsharks, skates etc)

Any mammal, reptile, mollusk, crustacean

The following bony fish:Brindle Bass (please be aware of the juvenile patterns!)Potato BassSeventy FourNatal Wrasse (both colour forms – green and orange)Bat FishAngel Fish (including Old Women)Puffer Fish, Tobies and BlowfishBurfish and PorcupinefishBox FishTrigger FishFile FishUnicorn FishHorsefishSurgeon FishFire Fish (Devil Fish)Flute MouthsLeather JacketsSun FishEel Catfish and White Sea CatfishRemorasAll Eels

Identification of species shall be done by either CorrieVersluis and/or Angelo Spada

Only one wrasse and parrot fish may be weighed in per day irrespective of species

Weigh in:

All fish to be gutted and gilled. Cleaning fish is to take place at sea – except the following conditions:

Where the length of the fish is just legal and needs to be presented to the weigh master BEFORE the weigh-in starts to confirm the fish is legal. The fish is then to be gutted and gilled before being weighed.

At the discretion of the Tournament Competition Committee, fish clearly exceeding the maximum weight may be presented whole.

The minimum weight shall be set at 900g.

The maximum weight shall be set at 5kg.