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Shark Challenge 3 offers shark fishing with an eye on preservation

By Staff | May 20, 2009

At 8 p.m. on June 6, the Are You Man Enough Shark Challenge 3 will send hundreds of anglers out into the night to bring back the big one. The big shark, that is. Shark are plentiful this time of year, however bringing in the big one to win the bonus prize is not that simple.

During the overnight tournament -which ends at noon on Sunday June 7- teams will earn points based on the size of shark they catch and release. The prizes of first through third are based around the points the team accrues by catching, photographing and releasing shark five feet or larger. A unique measuring device -supplied to the teams at the Captain’s meeting- was designed for the sole purpose of documenting the catch. Additionally, a bonus prize of $1,000 is awarded to the team that brings in the heaviest shark. This shark may be caught at anytime during the tournament, but here is what has to happen first:

>When a shark is brought boat side, the team must call in to the Tournament Committee.

>The committee will determine if that is the biggest shark caught as of that time.

>If it is not, the committee will instruct the team to release the shark unharmed.

>If it is indeed the biggest, the team will be given permission to prepare the shark to be brought back for weigh in.

>Any shark that will be brought in must be properly cared for to ensure the meat is edible so that it does not go to waste. If the team fails to take the proper steps, the penalty is disqualification from the entire tournament.

Tournament Director Jack Donlon states: “These rules are in place to ensure we only have a handful of shark brought in, while still maintaining the thrill of the hunt. Our rules have been reviewed by experts and authorities and given praise for the responsibility and respect they display for the shark population.”

When asked about protesters and animal rights organizations, Mr. Donlon replied: “You can’t please everyone, there are always those that live on the fanatical fringe, they like it. They need a cause. The Fish and Wildlife Commission and Federal Government set laws regarding just this issue. These agencies mandate two shark per boat per day as a limit. Under such guidelines a 50-boat tournament that spans two days would legally be allowed to bring in 200 shark. Under our rules that number is anticipated to be 5 to 10 shark. In 2007, the tournament authorized a total of four. In 2008, 3 shark were brought back. I say our record speaks volumes about our stewardship of the environment.

Rules for the Are You Man Enough Shark Challenge

1. All decisions made by the Tournament Committee are FINAL and not open to debate or negotiation, period.

2. All teams must follow and adhere to all Local, State and Federal Law. This includes but is not limited to: licensure, safety (both boating and personal), harvesting of fish during the tournament and tackle.

3. This is a tournament for sportsmen. Al captains, team members and their guests are urged to act with sportsman like conduct. Please be aware of other teams chum slick and avoid disturbing it. Take all reasonable actions not to interfere with another team during the tournament and NEVER interfere with another team that is attempting to land a fish. Not only is that against the rules but it is against the law and may result in immediate disqualification of the team in violation.

4. Each team may bring only ONE (1) Shark to the weigh in scale. Before any shark is prepared to be brought back permission must be gained from the tournament director or his assign. Only sharks that are legal to harvest may be brought to weigh and Nurse Sharks are prohibited. In the event a team arrives with more than one shark on the boat, whichever shark is removed from the boat FIRST is the only shark that may be weighed in. In the event a team brings a shark to the weigh in station that is not approved by the director OR not legal to harvest -either because of size or species- that team may be disqualified from the competition.

5. All harvested shark become the property of the tournament committee.

6. All sharks brought to the weigh station must be properly bled and dressed immediately upon landing and stored on ice. Any shark that is improperly cared for thus rendering it inedible shall be disqualified for weighing. Specific instructions on caring and preparing the shark will be reviewed at the Captain’s Meeting.

7. All members of the team are required to attend the Captain’s Meeting.

8. WEATHER: The weather in Southwest Florida is very unpredictable. However, rain storms that include thunder and lightning are a common occurrence. Some of these thunderstorms have lightning associated with them and are very dangerous. There is NO weather committee and this tournament will not be cancelled due to weather*. Participation is voluntary and each captain is responsible for the safety of his team.

9. There will be no refunds for funds paid to the tournament for any reason. This includes but is not limited to: disqualification, no-show or cancellation (regardless of timing or cause).

10. When a fish is on the rod, it must also must be promptly removed from the rod holder. Fighting a fish with the rod in the holder is not permitted.

11. Use of guns, harpoons, or bang sticks is strictly prohibited. Any evidence of these actions may result in disqualification.

12.Each boat may have up to four (4) anglers, each angler must be accounted for on the registration form no later than the start of the Captain’s Meeting (7 p.m. upstairs lounge at Snug Harbor). Free substitutions of vessel or anglers is permissible with an amended entry form filed with the tournament committee before the official cutoff which is the announcement that the Captain’s Meeting has commenced. After such commencement no entry forms, amendments or substitutions shall be accepted.

14. Each boat must return to the weigh station on it’s own power. If there is a mechanical failure the tournament committee must be notified by phone or radio and a determination will be made at that time as to how to proceed. The committee may: extend the weigh in time for that vessel or allow the boat to be towed in to safe harbor and met by a committee designated vessel and transport the team and it’s camera card and or/catch to the weigh station, or may decide the boat is disqualified.

Reference: rule number 1.

15. Each boat must be equipped with a working VHF radio and able to monitor and transmit on channel 72 which is designated as the “official” tournament channel.

16. The above rules are subject to change at any time by the Tournament Committee up to the commencement of the Captain’s Meeting and any changes from the published rules will be made known to all at the Captain’s Meeting.