The ORIS National Big Game Tournament in aid of the Puttinu Cares Foundation

[The_Gaffer]

For the long lines I totally agree that they are prohibited. But for dead bait trolling it can be allowed for example just 6 fish on board that can be inspected as well during the normal inspection of fishing tackle before departure. I am saying this because when last year we took part for the Porto Rotondo Big Game competition, one of the competition rules said that a maximum weight of 3 kgs are allowed on board the vessel with regards to natural baits. (Competition rules: page 6, theme: ESCHE, 2nd sentence)

The above idea is up to discretion of the Tournament board, after all we are going to participate for a good cause and to have fun  

Cla144:What you state is correct about the Porto Rotondo Tournament.  There are however, a number of other facts which you are forgetting to mention here.  Allow me to refresh your memory.  
The PR tournament was supposed to be spread over 2 days, one strickly for trolling artificial lures, one for drifting with live or dead bait.
The tournament had to be condensed into one day since the wind conditions on Saturday forced the tournament organisers to cancel that day's fishing.  So in the end, the organisers decided to merge the 2 days fishing into one.
THere was an IGFA inspector on board each vessel.  This is a very imprtant point which you are missing and which has a great bearing on the tournament director's decision.  In Malta, our boats do not offer that luxury.

Given the prize line up for this year, the Tournament director and the organising team are doing their utmost to prevent any misinterpretation of the rules which will be issues next week.  Unfortunately as I stated in the beginning, we do not enjoy the luxury of having an inspector on board every vessel taking part.  So undertandably, we need to close off as much loopholes as possible.  With the use of live/dead bait for trolling, we cannot provide a guarantee that some participating boat does not go through the process of rigging up a small (say 10-20) long line with the tackle on board.  There are no rules covering the amount of hooks and line one cannot carry on board.  With the pressence of live or dead bait, rigging up a small longline and using the dead bait would offer an added advantage to the defaulting participant.  We need to ensure this does not happen.

I have had some of last year's participants approach me with fraud stories that happened during the MFFs tournament last year.  If this is true, this is deplorable.  I say stories, because non canbe verified, so to me they are still stories.  But realistic ones I must say.  
This year, we will have 8 boats including fast ribs patrolling the fishing area.  We will also step up the scrutiny of boats during the inspection.  Once the Tournament Directorate concludes the rules that will be governing this Tournament, hopfully by the end of this week, they will be published here.  Their decision is final.  However, please keep in mind that this is a trolling tournament.

[Endless Summer]

This may be a stupid question...but what is the BFT permit?  Thanks

***REMINDER****
Closing Date for ORIS National Big Game BFT permit is the 25th of May

[Endless Summer]

Assuming it is BFt is for Blue fin tuna...from where do I get the permit?

Thank you in advance.

[robby017]

register your participation with the Competition director a.s.a.p. as you will get the permit by applying and having all details in order. Competition Director is Gogo.

[robby017]

Skipper Name and Surname:-
ID no:-
Mobile no:-
Postal address:-
Email address:-
Boat name:-   
Registration no   
Maximum speed:-
No of crew:- (without skipper)
Name of Fishing Club:-

[cla144]

Cla144:What you state is correct about the Porto Rotondo Tournament.  There are however, a number of other facts which you are forgetting to mention here.  Allow me to refresh your memory.  
The PR tournament was supposed to be spread over 2 days, one strickly for trolling artificial lures, one for drifting with live or dead bait.
The tournament had to be condensed into one day since the wind conditions on Saturday forced the tournament organisers to cancel that day's fishing.  So in the end, the organisers decided to merge the 2 days fishing into one.
THere was an IGFA inspector on board each vessel.  This is a very imprtant point which you are missing and which has a great bearing on the tournament director's decision.  In Malta, our boats do not offer that luxury.

Given the prize line up for this year, the Tournament director and the organising team are doing their utmost to prevent any misinterpretation of the rules which will be issues next week.  Unfortunately as I stated in the beginning, we do not enjoy the luxury of having an inspector on board every vessel taking part.  So undertandably, we need to close off as much loopholes as possible.  With the use of live/dead bait for trolling, we cannot provide a guarantee that some participating boat does not go through the process of rigging up a small (say 10-20) long line with the tackle on board.  There are no rules covering the amount of hooks and line one cannot carry on board.  With the pressence of live or dead bait, rigging up a small longline and using the dead bait would offer an added advantage to the defaulting participant.  We need to ensure this does not happen.

I have had some of last year's participants approach me with fraud stories that happened during the MFFs tournament last year.  If this is true, this is deplorable.  I say stories, because non canbe verified, so to me they are still stories.  But realistic ones I must say.  
This year, we will have 8 boats including fast ribs patrolling the fishing area.  We will also step up the scrutiny of boats during the inspection.  Once the Tournament Directorate concludes the rules that will be governing this Tournament, hopfully by the end of this week, they will be published here.  Their decision is final.  However, please keep in mind that this is a trolling tournament.

The_Gaffer: I agree with your aforementioned reply regarding rigging a small longline on board. Thats why I suggested that maybe only 5-6 baitfish (of a maximum length of 15cm can be added to the rules) can be allowed on board so one won't have enough bait to begin with if he wants to foul play. Trolling either with artificial lure or dead bait will still be a trolling tournament.

But as you rightly said the Tournament Directorate decision is final.

[Gogo]

Hi Endless Summer,

You have been already registered for BFT and Tournament. Is your boat S15712?
Kindly confirm.

Tournament Director   (Gogo)

[Endless Summer]

Yes it is S-15712.  Thank you for confirming.  Where can I find the info. on the pre tournament meeting (and other info.) ?

Neville
Endless Summer

[Gogo]

Hi Endless Summer,
With the filled application form I sent you the below information.

'Kindly print this attachment as a copy of your application for Oris Big game Fishing Tournament and bring it with you for the Briefing of the 21 June at Angiolina Bar Pretty Bay Birzebbuga at 7.30 p.m.'

During the briefing, Tournament regulations will be explained  and following signing of the Application form each skipper will pay according to number of crew .

Any further queries feel free to ask.

Joe Carabott Damato
Tournament Director.

[The_Gaffer]

Tomorrow Wednesday 25 May is the Last and final day to register for the tournament and qualify for the bluefin tuna landing permit. To date, we have 83 boats who have registered in conjunction with the Bluefin block permit. After the 25th, boats can still register but will not be allowed to land Bluefin during the competition.

[SEAFOX]

Freedive - Very good point... I do not know if the other committee members agree with me however I see no objection if another crew member attends the briefing in  representation of the skipper. In fact there are a couple of others who have recently asked the same question...Gaffer/ Gogo / Skip.. ..pls. post your comments although we should discuss this very important issue at tomorrow's meeting.

[The_Gaffer]

For the reason mentioned above, and also for some other plausable reason, like work commitments, sickness, ect, No objection from my end.  As long as the there is a representative of the team, it's OK with me.

[Gogo]

The appointment of a representative is a common procedure. In our case if for a good reason the skipper cannot attend the briefing he should appoint a representative. My only reserve is that the representative must accompany the skipper during the tournament.
I agree. Tomorrow this will be on the committee agenda.

[skip]

As stated above, so long as the person who attends forms part of the crew on the day, with a valid reason, that would be fine.

[Gogo]

Dear Dr Andreina Farrugia Fenech,

Thanks. Of course the quota remains the same.

Yours

Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: Fenech Farrugia Andreina at MRRA (FCD)
To: Dr. J. Carabott Damato
Cc: Gruppetta Anthony at MRRA (AFRD) ; Spiteri Rita at MRRA (FCD) ; Farrugia Joseph at MRRA (FCD)
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2011 8:34 AM
Subject: RE: BFT one day permit.


Approved but keep in mind that quota allocated cannot be exceeded.






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Dr. J. Carabott Damato [mailto:dr.carabott@marcompmalta.com]
Sent: 26 May 2011 09:28
To: Gruppetta Anthony at MRRA (AFRD); Fenech Farrugia Andreina at MRRA (FCD)
Cc: Spiteri Rita at MRRA (FCD)
Subject: BFT one day permit.



Director General (Agriculture and Fisheries Regulation):
Dr Anthony Gruppetta

Agriculture and Fisheries Regulation Department,
The Abattoir,
Albertown,
Marsa - MRS 1123



26th May 2011



Dear Dr Anthony Gruppetta,



Yesterday I submitted the complete list of Vessels eligible for a one day BFT permit as agreed.



Since tomorrow Friday we are launching a magazine related to the event  in all Fishing outlets, Marinas, Associations and Sponsors, the organizing committee humbly asks if it is possible that an extension of the closing date up to 3rd June be conceded.

The BFT permit is an incentive for skippers to join. Our goal is 100 boats  which means more funds for Puttinu.



Thanking you for all your cooperation.



Yours



Joe Carabott Damato

Tournament director