2023 Geelong & Bellarine Snapper Classic Fishing Competition

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2023 Geelong & Bellarine Snapper Classic

4th to 19th November 2023

The Event

2023 Geelong & Bellarine Snapper Classic

Leopold Angling and Aquatic Club’s vision is to create the largest and most environmentally sustainable snapper fishing competition in Port Phillip Bay that will have a positive impact on the community and economy of Geelong and the Bellarine and continue for generations to enjoy.

Every paid entrant is eligible for a prize in the 'entrants prize draw'.

Catch a fish or not, you're in the draw!

Tag us in social media pics! #2023bellarinesnapperclassic

COMPETITION PRIZE POOL OF OVER $25,000!!!

ENTRY FEES:

Leopold Angling & Aquatic Club Members $30
Non-members $60
Juniors under 16yrs FREE*

*Entrants to junior category must be under 16 at 4/11/2023 and must be entered as additional fisher with paying adult entry. Proof of age or relevant ID may be requested prior to prize award

Entry fees are payable using the link (when available 15/9/23) by EFT or cash in person at Leopold Angling and Aquatic Club clubrooms, 711 Portarlington Rd, Leopold 3224 

Clubrooms are open from 4:30 pm Friday’s unless otherwise announced

Note: To be considered an entrant you MUST be registered via the Track My Fish competition link below and register any fish you wish to enter via the Track My Fish app.

1. Click        the registration link below. (Early bird link available from 15/9/23)
2. Select      to pay at the club rooms or by EFT

EFT Payment to 

Bendigo Bank

BSB         #633 000

Account #161 429 220

REF: Your surname

An automated email will be sent to you to confirm your successful registration upon completion.

Entrants are not deemed to be participating in the competition unless their competition entry funds have cleared into the Leopold Angling and Aquatic Club's bank account.

ENTRIES STRICTLY CLOSE MIDNIGHT 3/11/2023

Download the Track My Fish App to enter your fish during the competition

Click here to email the Geelong & Bellarine Snapper Classic

COMPETITION TIMES

Commences Saturday 4th November 2023 at 00:01am and ends 2:00pm Sunday 19th November 2023.

Note: no fish submitted outside of competition times will be accepted.

The more you fish you enter, the greater your chances! 

ENTRIES

Registrations for the event will open on 15th September 2023 and close at Midnight Friday 3 November 2023. (Registration link available from 15/9/23)

PRESENTATIONS

Presentation will commence at 3pm Sunday 19th November, 2023 at the Leopold Angling & Aquatic Club, 711 Portarlington Rd, Leopold, 3224

PRIZE CATEGORIES

ADULT: 

ADULT 1ST PRIZE: LONGEST SNAPPER (nose to fork)

ADULT 2ND PRIZE: AGGREGATE | Total fork length of longest 3 fish submitted by entrant throughout the competition (minimum 30cm fork length)

e.g. 3 fish caught, 39cm, 48cm and 78cm = 165cm

ADULT 3RD PRIZE: MYSTERY LENGTH

Any competitor is only eligible to claim one (1) of the above three (3) prize categories. Where a competitor is eligible for a second category, that prize will be awarded to the next eligible competitor in the second category. 

JUNIOR: 

The first thirty-five (35) juniors that registered will be eligible to collect a tackle box (RRP$79.99) thanks to Aquatek Marine. The tackle box will be presented at the Competition Presentation 3pm Sunday 19th November, 2023 at the Leopold Angling & Aquatic Club 711 Portarlington Rd, Leopold, 3224.

If an eligible junior is not present to collect the prize from the Competition Presentation, reasonable attempts will be made to contact the parent/guardian that was the eligible Adult Entrant accompanying the Junior entrant and the tacklebox will be held at the Leopold Angling and Aquatic club rooms until 1/1/2024.

If the tacklebox is not collected before 1/1/24, the junior entrant will be ineligible to collect the prize. 

JUNIOR 1ST PRIZE:  LONGEST SNAPPER (minimum 30cm fork length)

JUNIOR 2ND PRIZE: AGGREGATE | Total fork length of longest 3 fish (minimum 30cm fork length) 

Any junior competitor is only eligible to claim one (1) of the above three (3) prize categories. Where a competitor is eligible for a second category, that prize will be awarded to the next eligible competitor in the second category. 

All fish must be entered using a commercially available brag mat. Brag mat must be flat and clearly show length of snapper as per point 3 under "Photo Submission Rules" in the Event Terms and Conditions below.

The first 100 eligible Adult Entrants will be eligible to receive a free 2024 Competition Brag Mat which will be available from the club. If you cannot make it to the club please contact the club via its email address for options to collect the brag mat ( CONTACT US )

Event Terms & Conditions

1. The 2023 Geelong and Bellarine Snapper Classic (“the competition” or "the event") is deemed to signify acceptance of and compliance with all terms, conditions and rules of this event. 
2. Acceptance of and compliance with all terms, conditions and rules of the competition deems the entrant eligible to compete and accept prizes where applicable.
3. All entrants must comply with the current marine safety, Victorian fishing and boating regulations and local waterway rules where applicable.
4. Any behaviour compromising the enjoyment of competitors during the competition, broadly, may result in disqualification.
5. Australian snapper, Chrysophrys auratus, is the only fish eligible for entry. 
6. If required, rules may be amended in the spirit of competition to improve the event as it evolves. Updates will be communicated to competitors by email/ social media posts.
7. The competition is conducted with an emphasis on fun, fairness, participation, enjoyment, and sustainable fishing practices. Any participant who is deemed to compromise this may be disqualified or have their entry rejected, rendering the competitor ineligible for prizes.
8. This competition is open to AMATEUR recreational fisherpersons only, where a person who is involved in professional or commercial fishing with an increased skill level from those activities will NOT be eligible to enter. Any persons identified in point 8 are also unable to assist eligible competitors by the risk of disqualification. 
9. All competitors, unless exempted under ‘‘Victorian Recreational Fishing      Regulations’’ must have a current Victorian fishing license and are required to show a legal recreational fishing license on request by organisers for eligibility of prizes.
10. Fishing is restricted to the confines of Port Phillip Bay and Corio Bay. Snapper caught outside this area will not be eligible for the competition.
11. In the event of any disputes, the known facts will be reviewed and discussed between the competition committee and club president where a final decision will be reached. There will no further discussion with any dispute raised after the final decision. Any behaviour compromising the enjoyment of competitors during this decision making process, broadly, may result in disqualification.
12. All fishing anomalies will be managed by the event organisers.
13. The event organisers may consist of the club president and the committee involved with organising the 2023 Geelong and Bellarine Snapper Classic or delegates
14. Observation of all marine, boating or fishing safety issues which may impact the participation in a way that threatens the safety of entrants, including weather conditions, is the responsibility of entrants - except where an authority (e.g. coast guard) overrides participant observations.
15. The competition may be cancelled on account of extreme weather conditions      (determined by the coast guard, water police or relevant authority) or unforeseeable issues. 
16. If the event is cancelled in accordance with point 15, the competition may be      rescheduled at a later date. Entry fees (only) will be refunded where      required.
17. Prizes are only available to eligible competition entrants unless otherwise      announced by competition organisers. 
18. The competition will be judged on the length of the fish measured from the tip of the nose to the centre ‘fork’ in the tail (fork length) on a commercially available brag mat. 
19. The minimum entry fish length is 30cm ‘fork length’.
20. The measurements of the fish must be clearly visible and a photograph is to be uploaded via the tournament app selected for the event.
21. Measurements will be to the lower complete centimetre (i.e. 54.7cms will be 54cm) 
22. Where multiple fish submitted are of the same length when measured as per the event's measuring rules, the fish submitted first will be deemed to "beat" any other fish submitted after it where they are the same length.
23. By registering for and entering the competition, you agree that your data may be used by sponsors and LAAC for marketing purposes as part of your support to the prize donors/sponsors for the competition and competitors.

PHOTO SUBMISSION RULES

1. “Catch and release” is encouraged and the utmost care should be taken to ensure a safe return to the water of captured fish.
2. Snapper must be photographed on a commercially available brag mat, which is to be placed or mounted on a flat rigid surface. 
3. Wrinkled/folded mats that, by opinion of judges, give the illusion of inaccurate measurement of the fish in the photo will result in that photo being rejected.
4. Fish length must be clearly visible in the photograph. If the fish's fork length is not clearly visible, the judges may reject the submission.
5. The smartphone or camera used to take any images of snapper submitted in the event may be inspected by organisers if requested. Failure to present camera or smartphone used to take the image as requested by the judges, event committee or delegate may result in disqualification from the event.
6. All submissions of photos give the event organisers permission to use photos on social media platforms and promotional material. 
7. All entries that do not meet these requirements or requests will not be considered. 

Tips to ensure your photo and fish are accepted

• Clean the camera lens, position the camera directly above the fish and as close as possible to show the full length of the fish plus the brag mat measurements.
• Make certain it is in focus.
• Don’t forget a happy snap with the angler holding the fish!
• Check the picture meets these requirements before you upload it.
• Take the photo again if it is not suitable
•  Tag us in social media pics! #2023bellarinesnapperclassic

INDEMNITY

1. It is clearly understood that the entry is accepted on the condition that any person or persons participating in the contest do so at their own risk and any such person shall NOT make any claim against the Leopold Angling and Aquatic Club, the committee or any official or servant or other persons appointed by or acting on behalf of the said organisers or in connection with the competition for any injuries or loss suffered by himself or herself or any other person to by any act omission or negligence on the part of the committee or any other sponsors or official servants as aforesaid. 
2. Every entrant taking part in the contest shall indemnify the said committee or other sponsors and the official servants and the other persons aforesaid against the claim by any other entrant or person whosoever or howsoever arising. 
3. The organisers may, at any time before the commencement or during the competition, refuse to accept and/or reject entry without assigning any reason thereof and without being in any way whatsoever liable to any person whatsoever for so doing. 
4. Participants will be bound by the regulations governing the competition and adhere to LAAC code of conduct. Refer below.

LEOPOLD ANGLING AND AQUATIC CLUB (“LAAC”, “the club”)

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LAAC MEMBERS, VISITORS AND OTHERS

Membership of LAAC is a privilege and carries with it a responsibility to uphold the club’s reputation and standing in the community at every opportunity.

There are many users of the LAAC facility, therefore Members, Stakeholders, Visitors or others may not engage in conduct that brings disrepute to LAAC or is contrary to the Constitution and By-Laws of LAAC. All, however so involved in LAAC have a duty to ensure that they cause no adverse impact on any of these users because of their actions at LAAC or in the wider community and environment.

Members, Visitors and Stakeholders must behave in a manner that facilitates, enhances and ensures the:

• reputation and standing of LAAC;

• amenity of other Members of LAAC;

• health, safety and comfort of staff employed at LAAC;

• enjoyment of visitors to LAAC; and

• physical property and facilities provided by LAAC.

Members, Visitors and Stakeholders shall not engage in conduct that:

• breaches accepted standards of public behaviour or the law;

• jeopardises the health and safety of Members, Stakeholders and Visitors;

• causes offence to Members, Staff, Stakeholders and Visitors;

• lessens the amenity and enjoyment of Members, Staff, Stakeholders and Visitors;

• damages, destroys, or lessens the value of LAAC assets;

• damages, destroys, or lessens the value of property owned by other Club Members; or facilitates the publication of material and/or comments (on any platform) that is obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, brand-bashing, hateful, disparaging or unfavourable about the Club (and/or is likely to bring the Club into disrepute or ridicule) and or about any other Member, Visitor or Stakeholder including its officers, directors, employees, agents, clients, partners, suppliers, competitors or contractors.

Any Member, Visitor or Stakeholder bringing the Club into disrepute may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Rules of the LAAC Constitution. Any Visitor or Stakeholder breaching this code may be asked to leave the premises immediately. Any Visitor or Stakeholder who does not recognise or demonstrate an ongoing understanding of this code of conduct may be asked to stay away indefinitely.

Copyright © 2019 Leopold Angling and Aquatic Club - All Rights Reserved. Incorporation Number: A0059467K 

ABN: 51559760091

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