Registration of teams
All teams must be registered prior to the briefing to be held at 18.30 on the 8th February 2009. Teams should comprise of a minimum of two and a maximum of four anglers. Once registered, no change will be allowed in the team.
Only registered team members shall fish from the boat during the tournament. Non-anglers guests or spectators may ride along on the boat but shall not be permitted to catch any fish.
All team members registered accept to abide to the rules and regulations of the South Indian Ocean Billfish Competition.

Fishing Dates and Time
Fishing dates are the 9th, the 10th the 12th and the 13th of February 2009 .
However, the Organisers reserve the right to fish four consecutive days, and/or to move the dates within the week of the tournament and/or to reduce the number of fishing days in case of “force majeure”.
Fishing will start everyday at 7.00 and finish at 16.30 when all lines must be out of the water. All boats must be back at Le Morne Anglers Club by 21.00 at latest.

Boats
All registered teams will take part in the boat draw at the briefing held on the 8th February 2009.
No changes in boats drawn shall be allowed. In the event of a boat becoming unavailable, the Organisers will provide for a replacement boat.

Fishing Lines
The Competition shall be fished on 80 Lb. and 50 lb. line test only. No points shall be awarded to any fish caught on any other line class.
To those anglers who decide to fish on 50 lb. line class, we recommend that they bring their own equipment.
Only IGFA rated lines will be accepted.

Penalties
All lines must be out of the water at 16.30. If a fish is hooked and reported on the radio before 16.30 and is still fighting after 16.30, no penalty shall be imposed even if the fish is lost and provided that the boat is back at Le Morne Anglers Club by 21.00.
Should a fish be hooked after 16.30, the entire catch of the day will be disqualified.

Release Rules
Any Marlin, Blue, Black, Striped, estimated to weigh 300 lb. or less may be released. Any released Marlin will be counted at 300X15 points on 50 lb. line test and 300x7 points on 80 lb. line test.
All Sailfish must be released. Any released Sailfish will be counted at 100X10 points on 50 lb. line test and at 100X 5 points on 80 lb. line test.
All Spearfish must be released. Any released Spearfish will be counted at 30X8 points on 50 lb. line and at 30X4 points on 80 lb. line test.
Any of the above Billfish will be considered released as soon as the leader is in hand and the fish released. In order to be eligible for points, at least two or more photographs of the release of the fish showing clearly the leader in hand and the fish must be submitted to the organizers.

Points for Boated Fish
Points will be awarded per lb. for fish boated in accordance with the following table:

Reporting at Weigh in
Team captains must immediately report to the Weigh Master after docking and remit their completed and signed score cards even if no scoring fish were caught. The Organisers reserve the right to ask for a sample of the fishing line used to catch any declared fish.

International Game Fish Association Rules
The Competition will be governed by IGFA rules.

Claims
Claims must be made in writing immediately upon arrival by the Team Captain to the President of the Jury. The decision of the Jury will be final.