The IGFA's objectives
are founded on the beliefs that game fish species, related
food fish, and their habitats are economic, social,
recreational, and aesthetic assets which must be
maintained, wisely used and perpetuated; and that the
sport of angling is an important recreational, economic,
and social activity which the public must be educated to
pursue in a manner consistent with sound sporting and
conservation practices.
The
IGFA is the organisation to which Irish sea-anglers are
affiliated via their clubs, assuming their clubs are
members of the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers.
The IGFA is
responsible for ratifying all fishing records
internationally, and operate several record systems. Even a relatively small fish, like a 60 lbs
blue shark, could win you a world record if you capture it
on sufficiently light tackle (line, trace, rod and reel).
IGFA World Record
Requirements
Game fish catches can
only be considered for world record status if they are
caught according to International Angling Rules. The
following
is information on world record categories, requirements,
and procedures for filing claims. An application fee of
$10 U.S. for members and $35 U.S. for non-members is
required for each claim. All materials submitted become
the property of IGFA.
World
Record Categories
IGFA
maintains world records for both freshwater and saltwater
game fishes in line class, tippet (a.k.a. trace) class and
all-tackle categories. In order to qualify for a record, a
catch must be a minimum of 1 pound (.453 kg) in weight,
and must outweigh the existing record by the required
amount or meet the minimum weight requirements, if any,
for vacant records. No applications will be accepted
for fish caught in hatchery waters or sanctuaries. The
catch must not be at variance with any laws or regulations
governing the species or the waters in which it was
caught. When an additional species of game fish is made
eligible for IGFA world records, the effective date will
be announced. Fishes caught on or after the effective date
will be eligible for records. Announcement of an
additional species in the World Record Game Fishes book or
in other IGFA publications will be considered proper
notification...
All
Tackle Category:
All-tackle world
records are
kept for the heaviest fish of a species caught by an
angler in any line class up to 130 lb (60 kg). Fish caught on lines
designed to test over the 130 lb (60 kg) class are not
considered. All-tackle record
claims are considered for all species of fish caught
according to IGFA angling rules.
Applications for
species not currently included in the IGFA line class and
tippet class listings must meet the following criteria:
1. The
fish must represent a valid species with a recognized
scientific name.
2. The fish must be a species commonly fished
for with rod and reel in the general area where the catch
is made.
3. The fish must be identifiable based on
photos and other supporting data presented with the
application.
4. The fish must be considered
\93trophy-sized.\94 A rule of thumb is that the weight
must lie in the top half of the estimated max.
weight of the species.
Line
Class & Fly Rod Categories:
Line class records
are kept according to the strength of the line. Fly rod
world records are maintained according to tippet strength
(tippet being what we call the fly line).
Each species recognized for line class records is also
recognized for tippet records. Records are kept in
the following line and tippet classes:
Line
Classes |
Tippet
Classes |
Metric |
Imperial |
Metric |
Imperial |
1
kg |
2
lb |
1
kg |
2
lb |
2
kg |
4
lb |
2
kg |
4
lb |
3
kg |
6
lb |
3
kg |
6
lb |
4
kg |
8
lb |
4
kg |
8
lb |
6
kg |
12
lb |
6
kg |
12
lb |
8
kg |
16
lb |
8
kg |
16
lb |
10
kg |
20
lb |
10
kg |
20
lb |
15
kg |
30
lb |
|
|
24
kg |
50
lb |
|
|
37
kg |
80
lb |
|
|
60
kg |
130
lb |
|
|
The following are the
maximum line classes acceptable for IGFA world record
purposes - this listing refers
only to fish usually caught in Irish waters: -
Saltwater
Species
Species |
Scientific
Name |
Max.
Line Class |
|
Bass,
European |
Dicentrarchus
labrax |
15
kg (30 lb) |
Bonito,
Atlantic |
Sarda
sarda |
15
kg (30 lb) |
Cod,
Atlantic |
Gadus
morhua |
37
kg (80 lb) |
Conger |
Conger
conger |
60
kg (130 lb) |
Halibut,
Atlantic |
Hippoglossus
hippoglossus |
60
kg (130 lb) |
Pollack,
European |
Pollachius
pollachius |
24
kg (50 lb) |
Saithe
(Coalfish) |
Pollachius
virens |
24
kg (50 lb) |
Shark, blue |
Prionace
glauca |
60
kg (130 lb) |
Shark, mako |
Isurus
spp. |
60
kg (130 lb) |
Shark,
porbeagle |
Lamna
nasus |
60
kg (130 lb) |
Shark,
thresher |
Alopias
spp. |
60
kg (130 lb) |
Shark, tope |
Galeorhinus
galeus |
37
kg (80 lb) |
Tuna,
bluefin |
Thunnus
thynnus |
60
kg (130 lb) |
Tuna,
yellowfin |
Thunnus
albacares |
60
kg (130 lb) |
Tunny,
little |
Euthynnus
alletteratus |
15
kg (30 lb) |
Line
Testing for Record Purposes:
IGFA tests all line and tippet samples submitted with
world record claims in accordance with the metric line
class designations, which vary slightly from the standard
U.S. customary (old imperial) designations. For example,
the U.S. customary equivalent of 4 kilograms is 8.81
pounds. Thus, line designated by the manufacturer as 8 lb
class line may test up to 8.81 pounds (4 kg) to qualify
for an 8 lb line class record. Metric to imperial
weight conversion is as
follows:
U.S.
Customary / Imperial |
Metric |
Equivalent |
1
kg |
2.20
lb |
2
kg |
4.40
lb |
3
kg |
6.61
lb |
4
kg |
8.81
lb |
6
kg |
13.22
lb |
8
kg |
17.63
lb |
10
kg |
22.04
lb |
15
kg |
33.06
lb |
24
kg |
52.91
lb |
37
kg |
81.57
lb |
60
kg |
132.27
lb |
Line and tippet
samples submitted with record claims are uniformly tested
in accordance with US Government specifications, as modified and supplemented by IGFA.
The IGFA offers
a line and tippet testing service for members only.
Record Catch
Regulations: General Information
1.
Protested applications or disputed existing records will
be referred to the IGFA Executive Committee.
Its decisions will be final. IGFA reserves the right to
refuse to consider an application or grant a claim for a
record or fishing contest application. All IGFA decisions
will be based upon the intent of the regulations.
2. When a
substantial award is specifically offered for a world
record catch in any line or tippet class, only a claim for
an all-tackle record will be considered.
3. In
some cases, an IGFA officer or member of the
International Committee or a deputy from a local IGFA
member club may be asked to recheck information supplied
on a claim. This kind of an action should not to be regarded as doubt of
the formal affidavit, but rather as evidence of the
extreme care with which IGFA investigates and maintains
its records.
SPECIES
IDENTIFICATION
1.
Photographs must be submitted by which positive
identification of the exact species can be made. Read the
rules on photographs at the end of this section, and refer
to the Species Identification section in the World Record
Game Fishes book to determine which features must show to
identify your fish. Applications without photographs will
not be accepted.
2. If
there is the slightest doubt that the fish cannot be
properly identified from the photographs and other data
submitted, the fish should be examined by an ichthyologist
or qualified fishery biologist before a record or contest
application is submitted to IGFA. The scientist's
signature and title (or qualifications) should appear on
the IGFA application form or on a separate document
confirming the identification of the species.
3. If a
scientist is not available, the fish should be retained in
a preserved or frozen condition until a qualified
authority can verify the species or until notified by IGFA
that the fish need no longer be retained.
4. If no
decision can be made from the photographs and the angler
can provide no further proof of the identification of the
species, the record claim will not be considered.
WITNESSES TO CATCH
On all record claims,
witnesses to the catch are highly desirable if at all
possible. Unwitnessed catches may be disallowed if
questions arise regarding their authenticity. It is
important that the witnesses can attest to the angler's
compliance with the IGFA International Angling Rules &
Equipment Regulations.
MINIMUM WEIGHT
REQUIREMENTS: VACANT RECORDS
The minimum
acceptance weight for a record catch claim is 1 pound
(.453 kg).
WEIGHTS NEEDED TO
DEFEAT OR TIE EXISTING RECORDS
1. To
replace a record for a fish weighing less than 25 pounds
(11.33 kg), the replacement must weigh > 2 ounces
(56.69 gm) more than the existing record.
2. To
replace a record fish weighing 25 pounds (11.33 kg) or
more, the replacement must weigh at least 0.5% more than
the existing record. Ex: At 100 lbs (45.35 kg) the
additional weight required is 8 ounces (226.7 gm); at 200
lbs (90.71 kg) the additional weight required is 1 lb
(.453 kg).
3. A
catch which matches the weight of an existing record or
exceeds the weight by less than the amount required to
defeat the record will be considered a tie. In case of a
tie claim involving more than two catches, weight must be
compared with the original record (first fish to be
caught). Nothing weighing less than the original record
will be considered.
4.
Estimated weights will not be accepted. (See Weighing
Requirements.) Fractions of ounces or their metric
equivalents will not be considered.
TIME LIMIT ON
CLAIMS
With the exception of
all-tackle records only, claims for record fish caught in
U.S. continental waters must be received by IGFA within 60
days of the date of catch. Claims for record fish
caught in other waters (e.g. in Irish waters) must be
received by IGFA within three months of the
date of catch.
Claims for all-tackle
records only are considered for catches made in past years
if (1) acceptable photographs are submitted, (2) the
weight of the fish can be positively verified, and (3) the
method of catch can be substantiated. For catches made in
the past, as much data as possible must be submitted on an
IGFA world record application form with any additional
substantiating data.
If an incomplete
record claim is submitted, it must be accompanied by an
explanation of why certain portions are incomplete. An
incomplete claim will be considered for a record if the
following conditions are met:
1. The
incomplete claim with explanations of why portions are
incomplete must be received by IGFA within the time limits
specified above.
2.
Missing data must be due to circumstances beyond the
control of the angler making the record claim.
3. All
missing data must be supplied within a period of time
considered to be reasonable in view of the particular
circumstances.
IGFA\92s Executive
Committee will make final decisions on incomplete claims.
WEIGHING
REQUIREMENTS
1. The
fish must be weighed by an official weighmaster (if one is
available) or by an IGFA official or by a recognized local
person familiar with the scale. Disinterested
witnesses to the weight should be used whenever possible.
2. The
weight of the sling, platform, or rope (if one is used to
secure the fish on the scales) must be determined and
deducted from the total weight.
3. At the
time of weighing, the actual tackle used by the angler to
catch the fish must be exhibited to the weighmaster and
weight witness.
4. No
estimated weights will be accepted. Fish weighed only at
sea or on other bodies of water will not be accepted.
5. Only
weights indicated by the graduations on the scale will be
accepted. Visual fractionalizing of these graduations is
not allowed. Any weights that fall between two graduations
on the scale must be rounded to the lower of the two.
6. All
record fish should be weighed on scales that have been
checked and certified for accuracy by government agencies
or other qualified and accredited organizations. All
scales must be regularly checked for accuracy and
certified in accordance with applicable government
regulations at least once every twelve months. If at the
time of weighing the fish, the scale has not been properly
certified within twelve months, it should be checked and
certified for accuracy as quickly as possible, and an
official report stating the findings of the inspection
prior to any adjustment of the scale must be included with
the record application.
SCALE
CERTIFICATION
1. If
there is no official government inspector or accredited
commercial scales representative available in the area
where the fish is weighed, the scales must be checked by
weighing objects of recognized and proven weight. Objects
weighed must be at least equal to the weight of the fish.
Substantiation of the correct weight of these objects must
be submitted to IGFA along with the names and complete
addresses of accredited witnesses to the entire procedure.
2. In
extremely remote areas where no weighing scales are
available, it will be permissible for the angler to use
his own scales providing that they are of a quality type
and have been properly certified both before and after
returning from the fishing trip.
3. IGFA
reserves the right to require any scale to be re-certified
for accuracy if there are any indications that the scale
might not have weighed correctly.
Note: IGFA now
offers a scale testing service for members only.
Preparation of
Claims:
To apply for a world
record, the angler must submit a completed IGFA form, the
mandatory length of line and terminal tackle (described
below) used to catch the fish, and acceptable photographs
of the fish, the tackle used to catch the fish, the scale
used to weigh the fish, and the angler with the fish.
APPLICATION FORM
The official IGFA
world record application form or a reproduction must be
used for claims. This form may be reproduced as long as
all items are included.
The angler
must fill in the application. IGFA recommends that the
angler personally mail the application, line sample or fly
leader and photographs.
When making any
record claim, the angler must indicate the specified
strength of the line or tippet used to catch the fish. In
the cases of line class and tippet class records, this
will place the claim in an IGFA line or tippet class
category (see World Record Categories). All lines will be
examined by IGFA to verify the specified strength of the
line. If the line or tippet over tests its particular
category, the application will be considered in the next
highest category; if it under tests into a lower line or
tippet class category, the application will not be
considered for the lower line class. The heaviest line
class permitted for both freshwater and saltwater records
is 60 kg (130 lb) class. The heaviest tippet class
permitted for fly fishing records is 10 kg (20 lb). If the
line or tippet over tests these maximum strengths, the
claim will be disallowed.
Extreme care should
be exercised in measuring the fish as the measurements are
vital to weight verification and scientific studies. See
the measurement diagram on the record application to be
sure you have measured correctly.
The angler is
responsible for seeing that the signatures and correct
addresses of the boat captain, weighmaster and witnesses
are on the application. If an IGFA officer or
representative, or an officer or member of an IGFA club is
available, he or she should be asked to witness the claim.
The name of a boatman, guide, or weighmaster repeated as
witness is not acceptable.
The angler must
appear in person to have his application notarized. Where
US notarization is not possible or customary, e.g. Ireland
the signature of a government commissioner or resident, a
member of an embassy, consular staff or an IGFA officer or
International Committee member may replace notarization.
Any deliberate
falsification of an application will disqualify the
applicant for any future IGFA world record, and any
existing records will be nullified.
LINE OR TIPPET
SAMPLE
All applications for
fly fishing records must be accompanied by the lure, the
entire tippet, and the entire leader along with one inch
of the fly line beyond the attachment to the leader. These
components must be intact and connected.
All applications for
saltwater line class records must be accompanied by the
entire leader, the double line, and at least 50 feet
(15.24 meters) of the single line closest to the double
line, leader or hook. All line samples and the leader (if
one is used) must be submitted in one piece. If a lure is
used with the leader, the leader should be cut at the eye
attachment to the lure.
Each line sample must
be in one piece. It must be submitted in a manner that it
can be easily unwound without damage to the line. A
recommended method is to take a rectangular piece of stiff
cardboard and cut notches in two opposite ends. Secure one
end of the line to the cardboard and wind the line around
the cardboard through the notched areas. Secure the other
end, and write your name and the specified strength of the
line on the cardboard. Any line sample submitted that is
tangled or cannot be easily unwound will not be accepted.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Photographs showing
the full length of the fish, the rod and reel used to make
the catch, and the scale used to weigh the fish must
accompany each record application. A photograph of the
angler with the fish is also required.
For species
identification, the clearest possible photos should be
submitted. This is especially important in the cases of
hybrids and fishes that may be confused with similar
species. Shark applications should include a photograph of
the shark's teeth, and of the head and back taken from
above in addition to the photographs taken from the side.
Whether the shark has or does not have a ridge between the
dorsal fins should be clearly evident in this photograph.
In all cases,
photographs should be taken of the fish in a hanging
position and also lying on a flat surface on its side. The
fish should be broadside to the camera and no part of the
fish should be obscured. The fins must be fully
extended and not obscured with the hands, and the jaw or
bill clearly shown. Avoid obscuring the keels of sharks
and tunas with a tail rope.
When photographing a
fish lying on its side, the surface beneath the fish
should be smooth and a ruler or marked tape place beside
the fish if possible. Photographs from various
angles are most helpful.
An additional
photograph of the fish on the scale with actual weight
visible helps to expedite the application.
Photos taken by
daylight with a reproducible-type negative film are highly
recommended if at all possible.
Note: IGFA's
bimonthly newsletter International Angler keeps anglers up
to date on world record catches. It is important that we
have clear, publishable photographs of the fish and the
angler. If you have action shots of the catch, we would
like to see them also.
Conversion
Formulas for Weights & Measures
Persons submitting
world record and contest claims are required to provide
the weights and measurements of the fish in the units in
which they were taken. The following formulas are provided
for your information.
WEIGHTS |
Ounces |
x |
28.349 |
= |
Grams |
Ounces |
x |
0.02835 |
= |
Kilograms |
Pounds |
x |
453.59 |
= |
Grams |
Pounds |
x |
0.45359 |
= |
Kilograms |
Grams |
x |
0.0353 |
= |
Ounzes |
Grams |
x |
0.002 |
= |
Pounds |
Kilograms |
x |
2.2046 |
= |
Pounds |
Kilograms |
x |
35.2736 |
= |
Ounzes |
MEASURES |
Inches |
x |
25.4 |
= |
Millimetres |
Inches |
x |
2.54 |
= |
Centimetres |
Feet |
x |
30.48 |
= |
Centimetres |
Feet |
x |
0.3048 |
= |
Metres |
Millimetres |
x |
0.03979 |
= |
Inches |
Centimetres |
x |
0.3937 |
= |
Inches |
Centimetres |
x |
0.0328 |
= |
Feet |
Metres |
x |
39.37 |
= |
Inches |
MISCELLANEOUS |
1
Pound Force |
x |
4.448 |
= |
Newtons |
1
Kilogram Force |
x |
9.806 |
= |
Newtons |
1
Fathom |
x |
6 |
= |
Feet |