Federation Amateur Big Game Tournament 2012

[Gogo]

HI All,

Following many requests and suggestion, the Tournament organising committee decided to select Tournament day Sunday the 8th July as the first date and then subsequent Sundays according to weather.

Feedback will be appreciated.

Gogo.

[skip]

Hi Dr Joe, As we have already discussed over the phone, the Federation has the MFF's full support in helping to promote this event, and I'm sure that those who took part in last year's National tournament are excited that another big game event will occur this summer.

This topic has now been announced and sent out to our most active members and to that effect do you have any high level info like whether there will be more than one start/finish point. Are the Fed are planning a later inspection/start time or sticking to the very early 2am-3am inspection times necessary when there are a large number of boats and an early start time.....etc?

[Gogo]

Thank you Nick.

We are discussing some changes.
Dates are the 8th July and subsequent Sundays according to weather. Recent history showed that the Alongi tend to approach their breeding area late June to July. Years back I caught big catches even in May, but that is history.

As to the starting point I suggested a Gnejna starting point as well. However the finishing point where to land fish has to be B'Buga. It is already a Fisheries department concession that we land fish on Buga Pier. Besides we prefer to have one panel of judges at one site. Boats tend to enter at different hours so to man logistically two or more areas with transparence will be very difficult.
It all depends on one's catch. If no fish or a minimum say one is caught then those participants can opt to carry on to their local port provided they inform the tournament Director.
After all from the gnejna area we expect few boats. From the North of Malta all have to pass by Buga so there is no difference in distance and fuel consumption.

Nick if we have again  the same number of boats we cannot delay inspection to a later hour. Last year we left with a rising sun. Fair for safety etc.. however slow going boats noted that they arrived on the fishing grounds with an already bright sun. Not last year but many a time by just the breaking of daylight  Alongi give a massive attack.
Nick it all depends on the number of participants. At present there are 33 registered. Some may drop. We hope that the number increases. If unfortunely the number will be low then inspection time can be later but by dawn one has to move.

We are working on a booklet with all the necessary regulations, sponsor adverts etc...

I will post all new decissions however always open to constructive suggestions.

Regards

Gogo

[Gogo]

Hi All,

Now confirmed two starting points.

Birzebbuga Port and Pier as last year.

Gnejna port.

Preferably the committee suggests Birzebbuga where the main organising body will be situated.
Space in Gnejna Port is limited.

Important that competitors that opt to call at Gnejna inform me from now.

Landing of fish valid for competition only at Birzebbuga Pier.

Date is Sunday the 8th of July. As to time of vetting will be decided according to the number of participants.
At present 40 boats have registered their intention to participate.

Three vouchers with 15% discount each per boat has been offered by Mister Fish as well as sponsored the T Shirts on registration.

As to prices a list will be forwarded later on. Caruana Marine, Buona Pesca and Mister Fish are already sponsors for prices.

We are working on a booklet with adverts. An A5 page booklet. More information once we have the final cost .


Regards

Gogo

[Gogo]

Hi All,

Today meeting with Fisheries Director . Go ahead for Tuna permit with a total maximum quota of 200 kilos.

Closing date for registration 15th June. Competition on 8th July. 

Pre-Tournament briefing on the 3rd of July and Award day on the 28th July at the Hall of Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport Cospicua. A reception will close the Event.

Regulations governing the competition will soon be posted.

Also soon the application forms will be sent via email to all those that have registered their intention to participate. Once you receive the application form, if one wants to redeem his three 15% discount vouchers from Mister Fish before the pre-Tournament Briefing call at Iklin Shop with the application form ask for Mr. Keith Bajjada, pay a registration part payment of €10 and you will receive the vouchers accompanied by a Federation receipt for the part payment. During the Briefing bring with you the €10 receipt which will be deducted from the registration fee according to number of crew.

Further information re sponsors that have offered gifts and donations will be posted later on.

If somebody would like to place a write up  in the A5 page booklet the cost is €100 for a full one colour page. Now since the booklet expense has been recovered, this money will be a donation to charity. Anybody interested kindly inform me. The Federation reserves the right to refuse any writeup involving Politics, Religion or other controversal issues.

Regards

Gogo

[The_Gaffer]

On behalf of the MFF, well done Dr. Carabott.  It is through the dedication and passion demonstrated by a few people like yourself that the recreational fisherman continues to enjoy this activity. 

[Gogo]

Thank you Joe.

You are more than right when you say " few people". I am secretary of the Federation since it's birth and can envisage that within few years most of our Associations and possibly even the Federation will be history.
It is difficult to find young persons ready to commit themselves in responsible posts in NGO as ours. The  Federation committee is an aging group of hard working persons dedicated to safe guard the recreational fishing sectors. Many a good man have passed away. Just to mention two ex Federation Presidents, Mr Alfred Bonavia and Mr Victor Mifsud who together with me and others, that are still in the committee, created the Federation. Now a day it is difficult to find such people .

A pity, that is the trend, take and take but no one ready to give.

Gogo.

[Gogo]

Hi All,

Now we stand at 51 boats to participate.

As from Gnejna start point I received three requests, namely

Mr. Bryan Enriquez
Mr. Waylin Abdilla
Mr. Julian Muscat

Anyone opting the Gnejna starting point kindly let me know. I have to care for inspectors and space in that area.

Gogo

[frabel]

Hi All,

Anyone who would like to download a copy of the poster to promote this Tournament, can do so by clicking on the link at the end of any of Gogo's posts.

Frabel

[SteveGB]

Gogo,

Me too from Gnejna,

Thanks,

steve

[The_Gaffer]

@GoGO:  Well done Gogo and Federation Team, 51 boats and counting is a very good number.  nearer the date of the tournament I'm sure there will be more entries.
@Gogo & Frabel:  Tell us when you want to us (MFF admin) to put up the poster on the MFF fishing boiards and then nearer the start time of the tournament on the MFF welcome page and MFF main boards.

[Gogo]

Participants starting from Gnejna:

Mr. Bryan Enriquez
Mr. Waylin Abdilla
Mr. Julian Muscat
Mr. Steve Gauci Baluci
Mr. Renald Sammut

Gogo

[digger0579]

Good morning GOGO,

could you please tell us what is the max. wind force the competition will be held (eg. force 3 to 4 ).

Regards

Digger0579

[Gogo]

Hi Digger,

Force 4  (constant 11kn+) will cause postponement. Wave height and wind gusts will be also considered.

In my opinion the limit is force 3 to 4 ( circa 7 to 10kn ). Wave height beyond 0.5 m combined with wind force and gusts will be considered.

I wish that all boats enjoy a nice day at sea hoping for some good bites.

Speed is already a handicap for slow boats, if one combines bad weather then its disaster.

Suggestions are welcome.

Regards

Gogo

[skip]

Just a comment on the above to all participants - try and keep all possible backup days free well in advance as from expereince when needing to postpone, you start finding boats/teams dropping out because they cannot make the backup days.