Read it Carefully

This piece by the late Des Brennan, former Secretary of the ISFC, appeared in the 1998 and 1999 reports. The Committee makes no apology for publishing it again, particularly as the number of rejected claims was very low in 1999. It is reasonable to suggest that Des Brennan got his message across extremely effectively in 1998. Help us to help you and 'READ IT CAREFULLY".

Over its lifetime, the Committee has had its share of problems and indeed controversy in respect of its rules and regulations. Anglers, on occasion, have been critical of some of its procedures and have campaigned to have some aspects altered and some others set aside. If the Committee is to have any authenticity, then only fish which can be fully vouched for as to means of capture and weight and species can be accepted and listed by the Committee.

The main requirements for accepting Record and Specimen Fish is that they should be caught by "Fair Angling", that they should be properly identified and weighed on a certified scales.

Any legitimate method of angling with rod and reel which is recognised as a fair and sporting method is generally well understood by anglers. The fish must be hooked and played by the angler unaided before being brought to the gaff or net. Assistance may be given by another person in gaffing or netting the fish which incidentally must be fair hooked in the mouth. Foul hooked fish are not eligible for listing and breakage of rod or reel and substitution of tackle while the fish is being played will also disqualify for claim or record purposes. Claims for fish caught during the statutory close season for the species (where this applies) CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.

Fish must be weighed on a properly certified scales, e.g., a shop scales used in trade or an official Club scales which is covered by a certificate from the Weights & Measures Officer. It must be weighed in the presence of reliable witnesses. Claims for fish weighed on uncertified scales, e.g., anglers spring balances or for fish weighed on scales inappropriate to the size of the fish, e.g., small fish in the 2 lbs to 5 lbs range weighed on balances weighing up to 100 lbs and over and graduated in large divisions cannot be accepted. It must be noted that the scales must be covered by a Certificate of Accuracy at the time of weighing and that certification cannot be accepted in retrospect, i.e., after the fish has been weighed. Weighing a fish on board a boat is not acceptable.

When a certified weighing scales is not available at the waterside, then the fish must be brought to where there is one. This usually necessitates killing the fish and today many anglers, particularly coarse fishermen will not or do not want to kill their fish. This is well understood and appreciated by the Committee and the decision whether to claim or not rests with the angler. The Committee cannot relax its rules on weighing and retain credibility.

The question of identification is another one which creates problems. Many anglers feel they are fully capable of identifying species which may create problems for biologists and indeed some anglers. However, if we accept one angler's identification, then we must accept others as well. I remember well one angler who sent in a claim for a Record Lesser Spotted Dogfish which was rejected because on examination, it proved to be a Greater Spotted Dogfish, which grows to a much larger size. He could not be convinced that he was wrong and actually called to see me and demand that we accept his identification. His parting shot was that he knew that he was right as he had counted all the spots on the fish.

It is only in the case of species which may be confused with other (and often larger) species that full documentation as to identify as required. Scales from the body of the fish must be submitted in the case of three species and the actual body must be sent for identification in no less than 24 species. Clear, sharp, close up photographs showing the entire fish with its fins, lateral line and other features easily seen are required in the case of 8 species. You would be surprised at the number of excellent photographs we receive showing the proud captor but so little of the actual fish as to be useless for identification purposes.

All the necessary information to enable the angler to submit a successful claim is given on the Claim form. Please Read It Carefully and avoid the disappointment of having your claim rejected.