ISFC Rules for Specimen Fish Claimants

RULES PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
(1) IRISH SPECIMEN FISH COMMITTEE: This Committee consists of representatives of the Irish Angling Federations, Government Departments and official organizations interested in angling. Its objective is to verify, record and publicise the capture of large fish on rod and line in Irish waters. A list of Specimen Fish is published annually by the Committee. Only fish which can be fully vouched for as to weight and species can be accepted and listed by the Committee. Except in exceptional circumstances claims will remain valid for a period of one year following the year of capture.

(2) FAIR ANGLING: “Fair Angling” means any legitimate method of angling with rod and reel which is recognised as a fair and sporting method. A fish must be hooked in or in the immediate vicinity of the mouth when it has taken the bait or lure; fish which have been foul-hooked, even accidentally, are not eligible. A fish in respect of which a claim is made must be hooked, played and brought to gaff or net by the angler UNAIDED, though the fish may be gaffed or netted by another, and it is permissible for the person using the gaff to take hold of the trace or doubled line (in the case of big game fishing) to steady the fish when it has been played out and brought within reach. If a fixed rod holder is in use while boat fishing, and a fish strikes, the rod must be removed from the holder as quickly as possible. This is to ensure that the angler hooks and plays the fish with rod in hand. Where a fighting chair is employed, it must not have any mechanically driven device which aids the angler in playing a fish. Body harnesses (which attach the rod to the body) are permissible but must not be fixed to the chair. Gimbals must be free swinging including those which move in the vertical plane. Gimbals which permit the angler to rest or reduce strain while playing a fish are prohibited. Breakage of rod, reel or line, or alteration or substitution of tackle, while a fish is being played, disqualify it for claim or record purposes. A fish may not be shot, lanced, clubbed or harpooned before landing. Claims for fish caught during the statutory close season for the species (where this applies) cannot be accepted.

(3) WEIGHING: Fish must be weighed in the presence of independent, reliable witnesses on a properly certified scales, e.g., a shop scales or an official club scales which is covered by a certificate from the Weights and Measures Officer (see List of Weighing Scales Certification Centres in this report). Claims cannot be accepted in respect of fish weighed on scales inappropriate to the size of the fish, e.g., fish in the 1 to 3 kg range weighed on balances weighing up to 50 kg or over and graduated in large divisions. Where weights are in large divisions (e.g. 1 lb/1 kg divisions) the weight of a fish must be rounded DOWN to the nearest actual division.

CLAIMS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED IN THE CASE OF FISH WHICH HAVE BEEN WEIGHED ON BOARD A BOAT.

Please note: All club and personal scales MUST be certified annually by an independent agency. Weighing scales must be covered by a Certificate of Accuracy at the time of weighing. They cannot be certified in retrospect, i.e. after the fish has been weighed.

(4) IDENTIFICATION: The identification of a fish must be fully documented where there is a possibility of its confusion with any other (and particularly larger) species. For this reason, the Committee, in respect of some species, insists that scales from the fish, close up photographs or the actual body must be forwarded as actual proof of identification, before it will consider claims.

FISH SCALES must be submitted in respect of claims for SALMON, SEA TROUT, BROWN TROUT (including SLOB TROUT). Any brown trout taken in tidal waters, i.e., in the sea or in an estuary below the freshwater boundary as defined for that river will be regarded for claim purposes as a slob trout. About 50 scales scraped from each shoulder of the fish should be sent with the claim.

FISH SCALES and CLEAR, SHARP, CLOSE-UP PHOTOGRAPHS must be submitted in respect of claims for DACE, RUDD, RUDD/BREAM HYBRID, ROACH, ROACH/BREAM HYBRID. The ISFC requests that anglers who catch specimens of these species or hybrids would take a small sample of scales (5 to 10 scales) from the fish and place them in a dry envelope (not in a plastic bag or tin foil). This sample, together with good quality colour photographs showing the entire fish on its side and fins well displayed, the dorsal and the anal fins (fully splayed), with additional close up photographs of the head (side on) should be forwarded with each claim form for identification. The scales will be used to positively identify these fish by genetic fingerprinting. This process began in 2007 and, combined with good quality photographic evidence, has provided positive identifications. It also presents the possibility of correctly identifying rudd/roach hybrids and anglers are invited to submit claims for possible specimens (> 1 kg) of this hybrid in 2008.

THE ACTUAL BODY must be forwarded for identification in the case of the following species:- MACKEREL, SCAD, HERRING, SHAD, FLOUNDER, DAB, BRILL, MEGRIM, GREY & RED GURNARDS, GREY MULLET, GOLDEN GREY AND RED MULLET, ANGLER FISH, LESSER SPOTTED DOGFISH, THREE BEARDED ROCKLING, SMOOTH HOUND, RAYS BREAM, CUCKOO WRASSE, TORSK, “RIVER” EELS taken in tidal waters and GARFISH (head and gills only). Claims may be ratified where a photograph is of sufficient quality to provide conclusive evidence (i.e. key identification features clearly visible) to identify a fish, to the satisfaction of the Committee. However, the onus to provide suitable evidence rests solely with the angler.

CLEAR, SHARP, CLOSE-UP PHOTOGRAPHS, showing the entire fish with its fins and other features easily seen, and not fore-shortened or obscured by shadows or bystanders must be provided in the case of TOPE, SHARKS, SKATE, RAYS, BLUEMOUTH, MONKFISH, POLLACK, COALFISH, BALLAN WRASSE, TRIGGER FISH, ALBACORE, TUB GURNARD (pectoral fins of gurnard must be fully expanded), GILTHEAD BREAM (whole body and head shot showing mouth and eyes).

If necessary, the fish should be hung up for photographs. In the case of skates and rays, photographs of both back and belly surfaces should be provided and particulars of the coloration given (with particular reference to the presence of dark or grey spots, or streaks or patches on the belly side). Samples of the teeth should be furnished in the case of Porbeagle and Mako Sharks. In addition, there should be a clear close-up photograph showing the jaws and teeth exposed.

(5) LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF CLAIMS: A maximum of three (3) awards will be made to any particular claimant for a single species in any one year. However, provision will be made that when an angler achieves this target and subsequently captures larger fish, these will be taken into account but the final number of awards for any species in a single year will not be more than three awards. By including this latter provision, it will ensure that the anglers competitive spirit is kept up and higher achievements could still be sought.

(6) SENDING FISH TO THE COMMITTEE:

Please
(1) Notify the Committee when a fish is being sent in for identification
Telephone 01-884 2600; Fax: 01-836 0060. E-mail: info@cfb.ie

(2) Do not forward fish to the Committee before Bank Holidays or weekends; (keep in a cold store or preferably frozen if fish cannot be delivered quickly on or before Friday afternoon).

(3) Please attach a label to each fish forwarded for identification giving the captor’s name and address, date and place of capture and the weight of the fish.

Please note: All club and personal scales MUST be certified annually by an independent agency. Weighing scales must be covered by a Certificate of Accuracy at the time of weighing. They cannot be certified in retrospect, i.e. after the fish has been weighed.

(4) Fish should not be sent in polythene bags or wrapped in aluminium foil as this causes very rapid decomposition. They should be wrapped in greaseproof paper and then in newspaper and brown paper.

(7) AWARDS: Anglers whose claims have been accepted by the Committee will be awarded special “Merit Badges” in the case of Specimen Fish and Silver Medals in the case of Record Fish. Specimen Fish Certificates will also be issued in respect of all ratified claims. Only one merit badge will be awarded to any angler per annum even where multiple claims are received. Special badges are awarded to anglers who have caught specimens of ten or more species and a special badge is issued each year for fish of exceptional merit though not of record size.

IMPORTANT – Completed claim forms should be sent to: The Irish Specimen Fish Committee, Swords Business Campus, Balheary Road, Swords, Co. Dublin, Rep. of Ireland (Tel. 00-353-1-884 2600) before 30th November each year. Where required for identification purposes (see Rule 4) fish should be sent to the same address.
In the case of freshwater fish taken in Northern Ireland send to Dr Walter Crozier, Head of Fisheries & Aquatic Ecosystems Branch, Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, BELFAST BT9 5PX. Tel: 028-90255236; Fax: 028-90255004; e-mail: walter.crozier@afbini.gov.uk. In the case of marine fish send to Dr Richard Briggs, Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems Branch, Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute, Food and Agriculture Centre, Newforge Lane, BELFAST BT9 5PX. Tel: +442890 255503; Tel from Republic of Ireland: 048 9025 5503; Fax: (028902)55004; Email: richard.briggs@afbini.gov.uk