Heatwave Lionfish Tournament On August 18

The Bermuda Lionfish Task Force and Blue Water Divers & Watersports are getting set to present the Heatwave Lionfish Tournament Sunday, August 18 from 6.00am to 3.00pm, with the weigh-in being held from 3.00pm to 6.00pm at Robinson’s Marina, Somerset Bridge.

A spokesperson said, “It’s summertime; in August, the water temperatures are as hot as they get. Break out your rash guards and sunblock. Leave your wetsuits in the closet. Get out on your boat, your friends’ boat, or off the beach and catch some lionfish.

“Cullers must hold valid lionfish permits to participate. Register at Makin’ Waves in Hamilton. The fee is $30 per person, in cash only please. You get tournament swag just for entering. The deadline to register is no later than August 10.

“Cullers will form teams of 2 to 4 divers of any type. Culling can take place only within the period noted – the honor system is in effect. Arrive by land or sea for the weigh-in no later than 3pm on the afternoon of the tournament Sunday.

“In the event of unsuitable weather, the tournament will shift one week to August 25 from 6.00am to 3.00pm, with the weigh-in from 3.00pm to 6.00pm at Robinson’s Marina, Somerset Bridge.

Prize Categories:

• Biggest Lionfish – Scuba Biggest Lionfish – Free-Diving Biggest Lionfish – Technical Diving

• Smallest Lionfish – Scuba Smallest Lionfish – Free-Diving Smallest Lionfish – Technical Diving

• Most Lionfish Caught – Team Category Most Lionfish Caught – Single Category

• All-Around Best Lionfish Photo Prize [Taken within the tournament period]

• Fatty Mcfatfish Award [Largest lionfish caught by weight not size by any diver category]

• The first annual Run the Gauntlet Prize – Most Impressive *Accidental* Injury Due to Lionfish Sting

Tournament Rules:

“All tournament participants agree by signing their registration form to adhere to the following rules:

“Registration – Individuals and teams will register by dropping off a pre-printed form or filling out a hard-copy form at Makin’ Waves, Hamilton, on or before 10 August 2019. Payment is requested in cash only.

“Captains – Anyone who is participating in a team or assisting a team by performing the role of CAPTAIN for a boat taking part in the tournament is requested to send any questions pertaining to the tournament to bluewaterbermuda@gmail.com no later than 10 August 2019 – the same deadline as registration. Ensure you include the words “HEATWAVE CAPTAIN” in the subject header so that emails can be tracked.

“Hours – 6am through 3pm on the day of the tournament are the permitted hours of hunting.

“Acceptable Fish – Fish caught outside tournament hours will not be permitted, and fish frozen from a prior day will not be permitted, however please keep all fish un-filleted and on ice, and *remove all venomous spines* before presenting the fish for weigh-in.

“Please keep one fish intact per team [leave spines on] so that demonstrations can be made of how to remove the spines to observers at the weigh-in.

“Disposal Of Fish – Fish caught on the tournament will be disposed of either by food preparation [after weigh-in], donated to BIOS for research, or if requested, can be bagged and returned to the catcher. Please be sure to specify your preference when dropping off your fish at the weigh-in.

“Safety – All participants and boat crews are reminded to practice safe handling of lionfish in and out of the water, and to use protective equipment where necessary [gloves etc] and to carry at minimum one lionfish sting treatment kit per team.

“Suggested sting kit contents: band aids, gauze wraps, elastic wraps, forceps/tweezers, scissors, gloves, instant hot packs and/or a supply of hot water, razors, sterile solution for irrigation, hydrocortisone cream, triple antibiotic ointment.

“Scoring / Ties – In the event of a tie in any category, awards will be given to the first entry based on the time of presentation of fish at the weigh-in.

“Weather – A decision to postpone or cancel the tournament due to weather will be made by the Organizers no later than 5:30am on the morning of the tournament. The decision will be based on observable conditions and available forecasts. The decision will be made public in a post to the lionfish cullers WhatsApp group, and to Blue Water Divers Facebook page.”

The full Heatwave Lionfish Tournament information sheet follows below [PDF here]

#Fishing #Lionfish

Category: All, Environment