2023 Boothbay Region Tuna Challenge Rules

1. HAVE FUN!!!

2. All boats must be registered to the Boothbay Harbor Tuna Challenge. The Captain from each registered vessel must be present to sign in and attend the Captains Meeting on Saturday September 2 between 5 and 7 PM.  Any vessel that is not signed in prior to 9:00 P.M at the Tournament meeting on that date will not be eligible to fish for that tournament year. There are 75 available slots for the 2023 Boothbay Region Tuna Challenge.

- Tickets are non-transferable. 

3. General Category Rules apply with the following exceptions: 

a) No electric harpoons, 

b) No aerial reconnaissance allowed,

c) All Atlantic Blue Fin Tuna (ABT) are to be hooked, fought and brought to boat side only by manually operated rod and reel, hand line, or conventional harpoon. Power driven reels or devices of any kind are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, motor,
hydraulic, or electrically driven devices.

4. It is the responsibility of the tournament participants to obtain and become familiar with tournament rules and all applicable State and Federal laws. A person or vessel is ineligible to obtain or possess
any type of award or certification associated with this tournament unless the fish submitted for consideration is caught legally and under compliance of tournament, State and Federal laws. In the
event that one or more rule provisions appear to be in conflict, the most restrictive rule applies and is to be determined by the Tournament Rules Committee. All landed tuna are subject to examination by the Tournament Rules Committee and/or Weigh Master. The Tournament Rules Committee has final and sole authority to resolve questions and/or issues that rise. All committee decisions are final. Protests must be in writing and submitted by the close of scales on Thursday, September, 7th 2023.
5. All entrants must be properly licensed to fish in the General Category under National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regulations. Entrants have the option of selling their catch dockside to the local buyer of their choice at prevailing prices.

6. Fishing may commence at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 3rd,

2023 and will conclude at 11:30 P.M on Thursday, September 7th, 2023. There will be NO fishing from 12 am Tuesday September 5th until 12am Wednesday September 6th. Due to a NMFS shut down day. Tournament scales will close at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2023, and all vessels with fish to be weighed must be tied to the scales dock at Carousel Marina (rafting is acceptable) by that time. Any vessel with a fish to be weighed that is not tied or rafted to the scales dock by 11:30 p.m. will not be accepted.

7. All hookups should be reported or relayed to the Tournament Weigh Master as soon as possible when the fish is hooked. The Tournament Weigh Masters are available Sunday and Monday from
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Thursday and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.: A second report or relay to the Weigh Master should be made once the fish is boated (subdued, tail-roped and hanging from or lying on the deck of the vessel).

8. All ABT are subject to examination by the Boothbay Region Tuna Challenge Rules Committee.

9. All ABT must measure 73 inches curved fork length (CFL) or greater to be eligible for entry in the Boothbay Harbor Tuna Challenge. In addition, tuna can either be gutted or whole before weighing.

10. All eligible fish will be weighed at Carousel Marina and must be delivered on the tournament registered vessel upon which it was boated. (All exceptions will be subject to discussion by the rules committee.) Fish will be weighed by the tail using a tail rope provided by the Boothbay Region Tuna Challenge. Innards and gill plates will be weighed separately, if detached. The fish must be brought to the scales by marine vessel. Any fish found to have bullet wounds or any unnatural damage will be disqualified (not to include gaff and/or harpoon marks). Please cooperate with the Weigh Master in filling and returning your weigh-in slips. Please do not leave the weigh stand until your slip is filled in and signed. Once signed, you have accepted the weight of your fish as final. In the event of a tie in weight, the first fish weighed by the official tournament scales will win.

11. There are no limitations of fishing area nor is there a weather committee. The distance and decision to fish is that of the captains and participants, and is strictly at their own risk. Upon signing the Waiver of Damages, the Boothbay Region Tuna Challenge cannot be held liable.

12. Protests shall be called to the attention of the Rules Committee via radio, by contacting the telephone
numbers provided, or in person upon arrival at the dock. Protests must be written in detail and turned into the Rules Committee by 8:30 p.m. the day of the incident. All decisions made by the Rules Committee are final.

13. If, at any time during the Boothbay Region Tuna Challenge, NMFS declares that the quota is fulfilled, the tournament will be concluded, and awards presented that evening. In the event of an early
conclusion, please direct all questions/concerns to the Rules Committee.

14. In the event of a NMFS closure during the September 4th through 8th time frame, the tournament Rules Committee will determine future tournament dates.

15. Prize distribution will be awarded for tournament year 2023 as follows:

1st Place: $35,000 plus trophy for (1) year
2nd Place: $17,500 
3rd Place: $9,500

4th Place $3,500

5th Place $1,500
Overall Weight Category $5,000

In the event of NO FISH, all prize money will be added to the 2023 Tournament.
If only one (1) fish is landed, $30,000,00 and trophy for (1) year will be awarded.
If less than five (5) fish are caught, all prize winnings will be awarded proportionately.

16. The disposal of fish is the responsibility of the angler after the Weigh Master releases the fish. DONOT dump fish entrails and/or heads at the marina.

 

17. When traveling in Boothbay Harbor, the Tournament committee requests that all vessels observe State of Maine rules and regulations. Please obey ‘No Wake Zones’ and be mindful of lobster traps when
traveling the inner and outer harbor waters.

 

18. The address we use for your mailing is the one you provide on your application. If this is not the proper address or if you have a change of address, please notify us immediately at the tournament registration desk.

19. At the request of a boat fighting a fish, all others must stay clear.

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RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE 

LAST UPDATE 08/29/23