Spearfishing World Records...Part 3

If youv'e been following this series on Spearfishing World Records http://www.blogger.com/posts.g?blogID=5458882750790685633 & http://www.blogger.com/posts.g?blogID=5458882750790685633 then you know Part 3 is long overdue.

The first and probably the most important step in this part is to PREPLAN. That is you want to have all your duckeys inline so that if and when you land that trophy of a lifetime you know exactly what you need to do to qualify it.

Here are some essential preplan game strategy:
1) Know the rules, this is soooo important, if you don't bag your fish according to the rules it won't qualify. Here are some important exerts from the IUSA site:

Divers must be freediving when they spear and land their catch. The use of artificial breathing devices is not allowed at any time (e.g., to retrieve the speared fish).

Divers may leave the water to obtain additional equipment but the diver must reenter the water where exited (allowing for free boat movement) and continue the pursuit free swimming. No pursuit of the quarry by means of boat will be allowed.

If a diver looses contact with his floats and can no longer see them, he may reenter a non moving boat and "spot" the floats. He must then reenter the water where exited (allowing for free boat movement) and free swim in the direction of his floats and regain contact. Under no condition may the diver utilize the boat to recontact his floats

Another diver may provide a second or additional unloaded gun to the spearfisher, provided they do not assist the diver in any way to subdue their catch.

Divers must pull their fish to the surface while they remain in the water. Once the fish is subdued and at the surface it may be gaffed by someone in a safety boat. Another diver or crew member may pass unloaded guns to the diver, provided the guns and associated gear follow the regulations set forth above for the primary gun and gear (D.1 and 2).

Powerheads are prohibited.

2)Know who in you area has a certified IGFF scale, to weigh your fish, although most certified scales will do IGFF scales remove any doubt.

All record fish should be weighed on scales that have been checked for accuracy by government agencies or other qualified and accredited organizations. All scales must be regularly checked for accuracy and must be current within 12 months, or recertified within 2 weeks after the weighing.

The fish must be weighed by an official weighmaster (if one is available), or by an IUSA representative, or by a recognized local person familiar with the scale (*note check their site for exemptions to these rules)

To replace a record for a fish weighing less than 25 pounds (11.33 kg), the replacement must weigh at least 2 ounces (56.69 gm) more than the existing record.

To replace a record for a fish weighing 25 pounds (11.33 kg) or more, the replacement must weigh one-half percent (0.5%) more than the previous record. For example, for a 200 pound fish (90.71 kg) to defeat a current record it must weigh 1 pound (.45 kg) more than the existing record.

Fish may be frozen before they are weighed. If still frozen while being weighed, any adhering ice must be removed.

At the time of the weighing, the actual gear used by the spearfisher to catch the fish must be exhibited to the weighmaster and weight witness

3)Have a good quality camera, and take plenty of pics

Two identical sets of photographs, preferably color, must accompany the application, providing sufficient detail for unequivocal species determination.

Photographs showing the full length of the fish, the diver with the fish, the speargun(s) used to make the catch, and the scale used to weigh the fish must accompany each application.

In all cases, photographs should be taken of the fish in a hanging position and also lying on a flat surface on its side. The fish should be broadside to the camera and no part of the fish should be obscured.

An additional photograph of the fish on the scale with the actual weight visible will help to expedite the application.

4) Have the forms ready beforehand

The Spearfisher must submit a completed IUSA application form along with all required documentation. Applications can be obtained on this website, or by contacting the IUSA.

Divers must record the date, exact location, common name and scientific name of their catch on an official application

Acceptance of the application is, in part, dependent upon the completeness of the description of the hunt and capture. Include gun type, terminal gear, depth at which the fish was speared, names of other divers present, name of the diveboat, use of chum, water visibility, sea state, distance from shore, estimated bottom depth, current conditions, time of day, and associated fish (e.g., other members of a school, bait fish, etc.).

Time limits of claims: Complete application must be submitted within 6 months of date of capture.
To assist in the verification of the weight, the length (fork length and total length - see application form) and girth of the fish must be measured and recorded. A measuring tape made of a material that does not stretch or shrink, even when wet, must be used.

Weights calculated from length and/or girth shall not be accepted, however, a meritorious award may be made for a fish which exceeds both the length and girth of the current record.

Catch weighing or measurement must be witnessed and as much documentation as possible should accompany the application for the record.


Their are ALOT more rules that you can review on the IUSA site, heres the link http://iusarecords.com/rules.htm....so there you have it, now what you waitin' for- go git yourself a WR

Till next spearfishing report, tight bands, straight shafts, and smooooooooth triggers!

Tone
http://www.settingsteelspeargear.com/