Rules for Claiming a Club Record

Claiming A West Australian Undersea Club Spearfishing Record

An application for a record will be considered by the West Australian Undersea Club Records Commission (WAUCRC) for any fish caught in accordance with its rules and regulations, providing it conforms with the following requirements:

1). The application must be forwarded to the West Australian Undersea Club State Records Officer.

2). The application must be made via Email to records@waundersea.com with all details listed on the WAUC Record Submission tab- WAUC Record Submission | WA Undersea Club | TidyHQ

ELIGIBILITY

1) Class Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes)

All species of class Osteichthyes are eligible except for those occuring in the order Syngnathiforms (pipefish and allies), Excluding the Families Aulostomidae (Trumpetfishes) and Fistulariiadae (flutemouths) and those occuring in the Order Tetraodontiformes (Toadfish, Boxfish, Sunfish and allies) excluding the Families Monocanthidae (Leatherjackets) and Balistidae (Triggerfishes).

INELIGIBLE SPECIES

Fish that have been speared while restricted by nets, traps or lines are not eligible. Likewise, any fish caught outside West Australian waters (Cocos Keeling group and Christmas Islands are allowed) will not be eligible for a WAUC State Spearfishing Record.

TIME LIMIT ON CLAIMS

A claim for a WAUC State Spearfishing Record must be made within Twelve months of the date of capture. Any claim received by the WAUCRC after twelve months from the date of capture will only be considered if the WAUCRC are satisfied that extenuating circumstances exist.

INCOMPLETE RECORD CLAIMS

If a record claim is not complete when submitted it must be accompanied by an explanation of why certain portions are incomplete. An incomplete record claim will only be considered if the following conditions are met:

1) All missing data supplied within a reasonable period considering the prevailing circumstances.

2) The missing data must be due to circumstances beyond the control of the person making the record claim.

3) If unable to supply the missing data a statutory declaration is submitted attesting to the validity of the claim and the circumstances relating to the missing data.

MINIMUM WEIGHT

To be eligible for a WAUC State Spearfishing Record a fish must have a minimum weight of 500 grams.

WEIGHT NEEDED TO EXCEED EXISTING RECORDS

To be recognised as a new WAUC State Spearfishing Record a fish between 500 grams and 2 kilograms in weight must exceed the existing record by 50 grams. A fish exceeding the existing record by less than the amount will be considered an equal record, The be recognised as a new

WAUC State Spearfishing Record a fish exceeding 2 kilograms in weight must exceed the existing record by at least 100 grams. A fish exceeding the existing record by less than this amount will be considered an equal record.

WEIGHING OF FISH

Fish shall be weighed whole ie. gut and gills intact if possible. Gilled and gutted fish, mutilated fish (due to predator attack) will be accepted on a case by case basis. There will be no compensation in either case.

All record fish must be weighed on government tested scales. Government tested scales are scales that have been checked and certified for accuracy by Government Departments or other accredited organisations. All scales must be regularly checked for accuracy and regularly checked in accordance with applicable Government Regulations and Limitations Certifications more than two years old are not acceptable.

The weigh master should be the Club Sports Secretary or Weigh Recorder, A Club Committee Member or some other person familiar with the scales ie. Shop Owner. It should not be the record applicant.

The weight of the record fish must be witnessed by a person who is independent of the record applicant ie not related.

MEASURING OF FISH

Length and Girth measurements must be taken of all record fish. To measure the length of a fish it should be laid flat and measured horizontally from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. To measure the girth of a fish run the tape around the largest circumference of the body. This is the Girth measurement.

PHOTOGRAPH OF FISH

All record applications must be accompanied by a clear photograph, preferably in colour, showing the full length and depth of the fish. As the species identification must be confirmed from the photograph, care should be taken to ensure the best possible photographs.

When photographing the fish it is advisable to lay it on a flat smooth surface with all fins extended. If possible choose a background colour which makes the fish stand out.

A ruler, tape measure or standard size object should be placed alongside the fish if possible. Avoid any shadows or objects that might obscure the fish. Photographs should be taken from directly above the fish. Photographs should be taken as soon as possible after capture. It is preferred to leave in the gut and gills the fish before photographing if possible. If the fish is rare it is advisable to take additional close-up photos of the head and any identifying features.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING RULES WILL DISQUALIFY THE CATCH.

1) All fish must be taken by spear by the applicants, without any assistance.

2) no breathing aid other than a snorkel is permitted.

3) The use of explosives, poisons or electricity is forbidden.

4) Weapons fired by the discharge of explosives or compressed gases are forbidden.

5) The applicant must be immersed in water at the time of spearing the fish.