The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and Hawaii Skin Diver are pleased to announce the “2008 Pacific Islands Pelagic Skindiver Spearfishing Contest,” which rewards freediving bluewater spearfishermen in the US Pacific Islands who practice safety by diving with a partner and who support resource management by sharing information of their spearfishing catches.

PRIZES:

Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each island area in the following categories: (1) Largest Fish; and (2) Total Weight of eligible fish accumulated by a diver during the contest period (24 prizes in all).

Additionally, each eligible fish entitles the spearfisherman to an entry into a bi-monthly raffle. Drawings will be announced on the 15th and 30th of each month (10 prizes in all).

ELIGIBILITY IS LIMITED TO:

Billfish (any species of marlin, swordfish or sailfish), tuna (bigeye, and yellowfin ahi, aku, or kawakawa), mahimahi and ono (wahoo).

Caught by free-diving spearfishing in waters around American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii and Commonwealth of theNorthern Mariana Islands (CNMI) between 8am., May 1, 2008, and 4pm., Sept. 30, 2008 (local time).

Weighed and recorded at specified weigh locations (see www.wpcouncil.org)

Reported to one of the following within 48 hours of landing:

Hawaii Skin Diver at info@hawaiiskindiver.com 843-8182

Fini Aitaoto (In American Samoa) 633-5892 or 633-5102

John Calvo (On Guam) 649-3150 or 688-6400

Jack Ogumoro (In CNMI) 322-9830 or 287-9482

INFORMATION REQUIRED WITH REPORT:

Your name and contact information (mailing address, phone number, email)

Name of witness(es) to the catch (can be dive partner) and dive partner(s) name

Species, fork length and weight of fish

Catch location (island and coastline), date and time

Whether spearfishing from boat or from shore

Speargun brand or type

A photo of you with fish & dive partner (for potential use in Council or HSD publications)

Other (optional) details on how the fish was caught will also be welcomed, such as whether fishing around a FAD, tide condition, moon phase, use of chum, etc.

Fish caught using SCUBA, hookah or any other underwater breathing apparatus or by a NOAA employee or contractor are not eligible.

Check this site or www.wpcouncil.org for a list of monthly raffle winners and daily status of fish landings.

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