TOURNAMENT RULES THIS IS AN ALL-RELEASE COMPETITION The Tournament: The Venezuelan International "Grand Slam" Billfish Tournament is a team competition in which the sum total of all release points accumulated on one boat will determine the overall winner. However, a team may be comprised of one registered angler only, in which his / her points will be added together in order to reach an overall total, the same as boats fishing more than one registered angler. The tournament does not penalize boats fishing more than one angler, nor does it penalize boats fishing one angler only. Eligible Species: Blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish only. Scoring: 500 points for each officially verified & released blue marlin. 200 points for each officially verified & released white marlin and 200 points for each officially verified & released sailfish. 500 additional points for each officially verified & released "Grand Slam" (blue-white-sail) caught & released during that day's fishing only. EXAMPLE: 1,400 points for each officially verified "Grand Slam". * In the event of a tie, the team reaching the highest score first wins. * There are no bonus points for tagging billfish and is not required. Angler & Crew Requirements: Without exception, each boat shall have onboard, one registered captain and at least one registered mate throughout the competition. Registered captains and mates may not fish or become anglers entered in this tournament. * Registered anglers may assist in all routine operations except the wiring and release of billfish. * No angler limit, however, add-on or changed anglers must be officially registered with Tournament Control before the start of that days fishing. Rules: I.G.F.A. rules and Venezuelan International "Grand Slam" Billfish Tournament rules apply in this tournament. * It is the responsibility of each registered team and crew member to know, understand and abide by I.G.F.A. rules and "Grand Slam" tournament rules during this competition. Any registered angler, captain or mate who deliberately breaks these rules will be immediately expelled and disqualified from this and future tournaments. * In the event of multiple billfish hook-ups, any registered angler may fight one or more billfish at the same time. EXAMPLE: If a second, third or fourth billfish is hooked-up by the same angler, he or she my rest their rod or rods in any rod holder while fighting their first billfish to completion. Then, only that same angler may fight the other billfish to their completion - in any order - he or she chooses. * In the event of multiple billfish hook-ups - by different team members - no one angler controls the boat. * "Bait and switch" method of angling is permitted. * Wind-on leaders are permitted but may not exceed 30 feet. * No hourly angler or team rotation is required. * No fishing boundaries. Line: 130-pound test maximum, any brand, tournament or non-tournament line is permitted. Leaders: I.G.F.A. rules apply. The length of the leader is the overall length including any lure or hook arrangement. * In all line classes up to and including 20-pound (10 kg.), the leader shall be limited to 15 feet (4.57 meters). The combined length of the double-line and leader shall not exceed 20 feet (6.1 meters). * The leader on all classes of tackle over 20-pound (10 kg.), shall be limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters). The combined length of the double-line and leader shall be limited to 40 feet total (12.19 meters). Rods: Unlimited in size, use or numbers. Teasers: Unlimited in size, use or numbers. Bait: Live bait is not permitted. Hooks: Circle hooks may be used, but are not required. Daily Fishing Hours: Fishing will commence at 9:00 a.m. and end at 5:30 p.m. each day, except on the final day, October 13th, when fishing ends at 4:45 p.m. * No baits or teasers in the water before the daily 9:00 a.m. starting time. Fighting Times: There is no time limit in fighting any billfish with the exception of the last day, October 13th, when all billfish must be released by 6:00 p.m. in order to finalize the event. Observers: Each officially registered boat may not leave the dock without, at least one, approved & provided tournament observer onboard. Observers will randomly rotate on other registered boats, all three days of competition. Observers may not accept a prize, reward, gift or money from anglers or crew. * Observers will be dropped-off & picked-up, to and from all boats, at their dock, each and every day of the competition. * Observers shall not assist in any fishing related duties. * Boats must provide lunch & drinks for observers, each and every day and advise Observer Coordinator of daily departure times. * Without question, the Tournament Director reserves the right to place two observers onboard any boat, any day of the competition. Procedures for an Official Release: The leader, not the double-line, brought within the grasp or touch of the boat¹s registered mate. Or, the end of the leader is wound into the rod tip when using wind-on leaders. Or, the swivel touching the rod tip. * Observers must obtain positive species identification prior to an official release. * Observers may require the mate to bring the catch to the surface for positive species identification and for mutilation caused by sharks or propellers prior to release. Without exception, if hook pulls or fish is lost for any reason before the observer's positive species identification, the fish is lost. * All billfish are to be released as humane as possible by cutting leaders as close to fish as possible. If the mate is witnessed by observers, intentionally "snatching" to break the leader after an official release, that fish will be disqualified with no points awarded. Radio Communications: Only billfish releases are to be reported to Tournament Control by the boat's registered captain along with the observer's official release time, the boat¹s name and species. * The observers watch will act as the official time onboard each day and will be recorded on the official catch reports along with each billfish hooked-up, released or lost. * The official tournament channel & backup channel will be decided upon at the team, captain & crew meeting on October 10th. Weather: There is no weather committee. The tournament is conducted on a "fish at your own risk" basis. If any portion of the tournament is fished, prizes will be awarded. Entry Fee: $2,800 per team ­ up to four anglers. This entry package covers the participation of one to four registered anglers. It also covers attendance at all planned entertainment & social activities for one captain, up to two mates and the team's required observer. * $400.00 for each additional "add on" angler in excess of the four covered above. * $200.00 for an non-angler participation ticket package. Guests of anglers are most welcome but are required to purchase participation tickets for entry to all planned entertainment, social functions and banquets. "Early Bird" Entry Fee: If the entry fee is paid in full by July 15, 2002, the entry fee drops to $2,300.00 per team. Boat Pool: Three levels will be offered - $5,000.00, $2,500.00 & $1,000.00 to be split 50% - 30% & 20% - in each level - by the final top three high scoring teams entered in any or all of these levels. ($8,500 to go "across the board") Please note - you need not enter all levels to participate. * A 20% "Daily" will be paid from the $5,000.00 level entry only. Protests: All protests must be stated in writing and presented to the Tournament Director with the matter settled the day of the protest. The protesting party, as well as the accused team members, captain & crew and observers must all be present in any official protest hearing. *Decisions by the Tournament Director are final. Accommodations: The Venezuelan International "Grand Slam" Billfish Tournament is honored to have the elegant Hotel Ole Caribe as the new official tournament resort and headquarters with all meetings, social functions, entertainment and banquets held there. We strongly recommend that all tournament anglers and there guests stay at this beautiful resort located in Macuto, Venezuela. (Just an eight minute drive to Marina Portofino) * Special tournament room rates will be offered to all tournament participants staying at the Hotel Ole Caribe. * Please call the Ole Caribe as soon as possible to make your reservations at: (011) 58 212 331-1133 or fax at: (011) 58 212 331-4393. You may e-mail them at: hotelolecaribe@cantv.net or visit there web site at: www.hotelolecaribe.com Charter Boat Information: Ms. Tami Noling and "Big Fin Adventures" can assist with world class sport fishing boats of all sizes and rates available in Venezuela. Her office number is: (361) 727-1466 or please visit her web site at: www.bigfinadventures.com or e-mail her at: tamiwise@aol.com. You may also call Rick Alvarez or Herb Rosell at South Fishing, Inc. at: (800) 882-4665 or contact them on the web at: www.southfishing.com. South Fishing can also help with air & hotel reservations. Angler and Crew Agreement: It is expressly understood that all participants in this tournament enter and participate at their own risk. By registering as an angler, captain, crew member or observer in this tournament, the angler, captain, crew member or observer holds harmless the Venezuelan International "Grand Slam" Billfish Tournament, the tournament committee, officers, sponsors, donors and all persons connected with the tournament from libel, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury or death suffered by any participant, entrant, sport fisherman, their companion, family members, captain, crew members, observer which may occur during or in conjunction with this tournament.