HBFA Fishing Competition

Fishing Rules

General Rules

• All fishing based contestants must abide by Maritime New Zealand and the Ministry of Fisheries rules and regulations.
• Boats must have life jackets for every person on board.
• All boats must report to the Coastguard VHF channel 1 prior to 9am with location, people on board and an approximate return time. On arrival back to inner harbour, please ensure you report back to Coastguard.
• Each boat must carry safety equipment. We recommend a VHF radio and cellular phone.
• The contest is open to fruitgrowers, fruitgrowers staff and/or sponsors.
• Entry fees are to be upon pre registration OR paid upon return at the HBSF Clubhouse. Only anglers who have fished on the day and have paid the entry fee are eligible to enter the competition.
• All fish weighed in must be the legal size. Any undersized fish presented for weigh-in, will disqualify the entire boat. No prizes for any shark species, skate/ray, Grouper, Bass & Baracuda.

Species for Competition

• Snapper
• Kingfish
• Gurnard
• Trevally
• Tarakihi
• Blue Cod
• Special (includes John Dory, Golden Snapper & Spotted Gurnard)
• Mackerel
• Red Cod
• Kahawai
• Other Fish Species ( No Groper )

Nets, droppers, set-lines and kontiki fishing is prohibited.

HBSFC base VHF channel 62. If any boat is in trouble, contact the Coastguard VHF channel 01. In the case of an emergency call 111.

Other Details

Thanks to our amazing family of sponsors and local businesses for supporting this event!!

Listen to HBSFC VHF channel 62 for lucky draws and competition updates during the day.

In the event of a tie, the first fish over the scales will take the prize. The weigh station is open between 12.30 – 3pm.

All prize winning anglers must be present at the prizegiving to receive their prize. If not in attendance, the next place-getter will receive that prize.

One prize per angler (anglers are encouraged to weigh in the largest of each species).

The competition is held in the spirit of amateur fishing and fair competition. If, in the opinion of the organising committee, competitors have breached the spirit of the competition, the committee reserves the right to exclude competitor(s).

The committee’s decision is final on any dispute.

HBFA and any of its committee members will not be held responsible for any vessels or persons decisions on the competition day. It is the boat skippers responsibility to make the decision whether or not their vessel goes out and where the vessel goes to. Each skipper must use their own discretion in making this decision.

Any queries, please contact HBFA events@hbfa.co.nz.

Health & Safety

I have entered into the above fishing competition. I understand and accept that it involves a
certain degree of risk to be associated with fishing either land based, from personal
watercraft or from any sized vessel. Hazards that I could encounter whilst involved in this
activity may include and is not limited to weather conditions, sea conditions, underwater
obstructions, channel markers, other vessels, navigating, anchoring, traveling during
darkness, mooring, and all other matters related to the sport of fishing and boating in
general.

1. All skippers and or anglers must sign a copy of this document prior to commencing the tournament.
2. Where possible it is recommended that all skippers should attend a tournament briefing.
3. It shall be the responsibility of the Skipper to advise his/her other team members of the information given at the briefing.
4. It shall be the responsibility of the Skipper to advise the correct authority of their intended fishing area and estimated time of return – Coastguard Channel 01.
5. In the event of an emergency on the water, participants are to notify their nearest Coastguard or radio operator.
6. All participants agree and accept:

• To enter this Tournament at their own risk;
• That boating and fishing involves a risk;
• Not to hold Tournament organizers, Officials, Sponsors or any other person involved with the
• Tournament liable for any loss or injury to person or equipment incurred during the Tournament;
• Notwithstanding any representations made, it shall be the responsibility of all participants to ensure that the provisions of all statutes, ordinances, regulations and by-laws related to (but not limited to) boating and fishing are complied with.

7. All participants agree to have read and understood the Tournament Rules.

Skipper Responsibility

It is the skipper’s responsibility to decide whether or not to put to sea on any one day, taking into consideration the prevailing conditions, the seaworthiness of their vessel, the status of safety equipment on board, and the crew’s seamanship skills.

• I have the necessary skill, knowledge, and qualifications to safeguard all on board.
• My vessel & all equipment are properly maintained.
• My vessel carries all the necessary safety equipment.
• We have a minimum of two means of communication; i.e., VHF marine radio, cellphone, flares, etc.
• Each passenger has a correctly fitting buoyancy aid.
• My passengers are briefed on the location and use of all safety equipment.
• My vessel is loaded within its limit and all equipment is securely stowed.

I agree that neither the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers Association nor any parties associated with the event shall have any responsibility, financial or otherwise, for any risk incident that may arise, whether or not by negligence, from any direct or indirect loss, injury, or death that might be sustained by me or my crew, from my intended or actual participation in the event or related activities.

I have made my crew aware of these conditions and have authority to sign on their behalf.

By registering my vessel in this competition, I understand my responsibilities and accept the Terms and Conditions.