INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
IN BIG GAME FISHING 2025.
ADRIATIC OFFSHORE TUNA CHAMPIONSHIP 2025.
ROGOZNICA – CROATIA
05-09 AUGUST 2025.
P R O P O S I T I O N S
1. ORGANIZER: Fishing Sports Club “GIRIČIĆ” based in Kaštel Gomilica organizes an international qualifying competition in Big Game Fishing – ADRIATIC OFFSHORE TUNA CHAMPIONSHIP 2025.
The competition is held in accordance with the “Regulations on the principles and basic elements of the sports competition system in sea sports fishing” (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations) and the “Regulations on the conduct of competitions in big game fishing” (hereinafter referred to as the Implementation Regulations) from December 20, 2014.
The competition is combined (by types); Fishing from a floating boat and Trolling from a moving boat are in accordance with articles 105 and 106 of the Regulations.
2. DATE OF THE COMPETITION: from August 5th to 9th, 2025 in Rogoznica
3. ELIGIBILITY: Members of sports fishing associations/clubs that are members of the Croatian Sports Fishing Association or members of any other international fishing federation have the right to participate. Competitors must have the prescribed and valid fishing permits.
If a team has a rented boat with a captain, who is not a member of the team, or he operates the boat at the discretion of the team leader, in that case, he does not need to be a member of a fishing association.
Competitors who wish to participate in the competition must pay a donation of EUR 200.00 for the boat and EUR 150.00 per competitor to the RSK ”GIRIČIĆ” Kaštel Gomilica’s bank account at Zagrebačka banka Zagreb IBAN: HR2323600001102327841.
For registered teams, a mooring place, bait – 30 kg per team, and dinners for team members are provided.
By completing the registration, competitors accept the Competition Rules.
4. COMPETITION MANAGEMENT: Members of the Management are:
– Tonći LUKETA – chief judge and authorized representative of the HSSRM, competition secretary
– Mario KAPOV – assistant judge
– representative of the organizer (to be designated at the captains’ meeting),
OTHER OFFICIALS:
– Competition manager: Capt. Nikša JUREŠKIN
– Protocol manager: Sandra BARČOT
– Official doctor: Dr. Bruno LUETIĆ
5. REGISTRATION: The registration for participation is a form that team leaders are obliged to fill out for their members. By certifying the registration, the responsible person guarantees that the entered data is truthful. The team is represented by the leader and is the only one authorized to communicate with the Competition Management from point 4 of these Rules. Other crew members who are not listed in the registration for participation are considered guests.
6. RESPONSIBILITY: The Organizer, host, and all participants involved in the organization of the competition disclaim any responsibility and compensation for damages that may arise in this competition. Competitors participate with full responsibility for themselves, the crew, the boat, equipment, and for all damages incurred on them and towards third parties. Each competitor accepts this by signing the Declaration of Personal Capacity-Responsibility for participation as prescribed by the Regulations on the principles and elements of the sports competition system in sea sports fishing of the HSSRM. Each competitor also signs a Consent Statement in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which regulates the provision and processing of data and sharing with third parties. The Organizer, competitors, and officials at the competition are responsible for concealing unauthorized catches if they have information about them. Knowledge of the above must be reported to the competition management, which will announce the disqualification of the team based on the Regulations and report them to the competent authorities of the Republic of Croatia for legal sanctions. Competitors who do not have appropriate annual sports licenses are provided with the purchase of daily or multi-day licenses for fishing with tools for big game fishing. Only those members of the team who have valid licenses can reel in – fight with the fish, while other team members can assist (record, rumble, etc.). One license, in accordance with the “Regulations on Sports and Recreational Fishing,” allows fishing by the team with a maximum of 3 (three) sets of fishing gear.
7. FISHING AREA: Approved by the relevant ministry. Fishing zones on nautical charts with marked coordinates will be provided to the team leaders as part of the competition documentation.
8. BOATS: The competition is carried out with privately owned boats, and the provisions of Article 19 of the Regulations and all other provisions of the Regulations on the conduct of competitions with privately owned vessels apply.
9. LIST OF SPECIES: The following fish species are caught and scored:
SPECIES
MINIMUM LENGTH / WEIGHT
Bluefin Tuna
(Thunnus thynnus)
minimum length 115 cm (catches / releases)
minimum weight 40 kg (for weighing)
Swordfish
(Xiphias gladius)
minimum length 100 cm (catches / releases)
Sailfish
(Tetrapturus belone)
minimum length 100 cm (catches / releases)
minimum weight 10 kg (for weighing)
Albacore Tuna
(Thunnus alalunga)
minimum length 70 cm (catches / releases)
Dolphin fish
(Coryphaena hippurus)
minimum weight 5 kg
Little Tunny
(Euthynnus alletteratus)
minimum weight 5 kg
Competitors are required to release (with careful removal from the hook or cutting the line) rare or accidentally caught specimens of other fish species (sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, blue sharks, thresher sharks, etc.). They must respect the prescribed lengths-weights for retrieving fish as well as daily quotas for bluefin tuna. In case of doubt about the fish species, the team leader is obliged to contact the referee boat. The caught fish is at the disposal of the Competition Organizer.
10. SCORING: Scoring is done; Points by species (PbS) in case of releasing the caught specimen (the minimum length is proven by measurements) or Weight points (WP) for specimens that are brought on board.
TUNA – CATCHES / RELEASES minimum length – 100 cm (length is measured from the mouth hook – angle to the end of the stretched tail fin), scored with 240 points per released specimen.
WEIGHING – minimum weight 40 kg
from 40 kg – 99.99 kg= 7 points per kg of weight
from 100 kg – 149.99 kg= 8 points per kg of weight
from 150 kg – 199.99 kg= 9 points per kg of weight
from 200 kg – 249.99 kg= 10 points per kg of weight
from 250 kg –= 11 points per kg of weight
SWORDFISH – CATCHES / RELEASES minimum length 100 cm (length is measured from the lower jaw to the end of the stretched tail fin), scored with 319 points per released specimen.
SAILFISH – CATCHES / RELEASES minimum length 100 cm (length is measured from the upper jaw to the end of the stretched tail fin), scored with 279 points per released specimen.
WEIGHING – minimum weight 10 kg scored with 32 points per kilogram of weight
ALBACORE TUNA – CATCHES / RELEASES minimum length 60 cm (length is measured from the mouth hook – angle to the end of the stretched tail fin), scored with 55 points per released specimen.
DOLPHIN FISH – WEIGHING – minimum weight of 5 kg scored with 9 points per kilogram of weight.
LITTLE TUNNY – WEIGHING – minimum weight of 5 kg scored with 5 points per kilogram of weight.
In case of retrieving a specimen lighter than the prescribed weight on board for all the mentioned species, the team will not be awarded weight points – negative points are not provided.
11. EQUIPMENT AND GEAR: The number of fishing gear (rods) is not limited for this competition. The only restriction concerns the possession of sports licenses as per point 6 of these Rules.
12. VIDEO RECORDING OF CATCHES: The initial and final part of the fight with the catch must be recorded continuously until the release or retrieval of the fish on board. The video recording will be recognized and awarded points to the team if it complies with the provisions of articles 89, 90, and 91 of the Implementation Regulations.
Special notes:
– The INITIAL footage (up to 1 minute) must show the competitor fighting with the fish, the plotter with coordinates, the recording time (if the time is not uploaded on the plotter itself), and the control mark of the fishing day.
– The footage is sent via WhatsApp to the chief judge and reported via VHF radio on channel 72.
– On the FINAL footage (up to 2 minutes), the released fish must be recognizable by species, showing the release and the fish freely swimming away from the vessel.
– In case of trolling with lures, in the uninterrupted footage, the removal of the lure, the fish swimming away from the boat, and the lure (on a light background) must be visible with a clear display of the hooks on the lure system.
– There is no excuse for poor, interrupted, or unclear video recordings.
– The camera can be fixedly attached to the boat or one of the crew members can be the videographer.
The obligation of each team is to possess a camera for recording catches with the following technical characteristics:
– records on an “SD memory card” (for easier transfer to a computer),
– has the necessary connectors and cables (backup data transfer option),
– can also be recorded with phones/tablets (without an “SD memory card”), in that case, the team must send the video during the competition using platforms like Viber, WhatsApp, or email to the phone number +38591 121 4704, Tonći LUKETA email; tonci.luketa@gmail.com
13. CATCH VERIFICATION: The catch is verified by the Management by:
– checking and comparing the official competition documentation; List of caught specimens (captains of the teams enter) and Lists of catch reports (entered by the chief judge),
– reviewing the video recording of the catch, the catch and compliance with fishing rules according to the provisions of articles 88 and 89 of the Regulations are proved with the recorded material.
The team captain or an authorized member must bring the video recording and attend the viewing; if they do not, it is considered that they have withdrawn their catch report and they will not be awarded points. Recognized catches are awarded the corresponding points according to point 10 of these Rules. Catch verification will take place at the end of each fishing day at the specified time.
14. MINIMUM DISTANCE: The competition is combined and according to Article 50 of the Regulations on the conduct, the following minimum distances between competing boats are prescribed:
– minimum distance laterally – 2 cables perpendicular to the direction of floating “wake line”,
– minimum distance in the wake – 0.5 NM in the direction of the “wake line spread”,
– a moving boat must respect the minimum distance from a floating boat, laterally and in the “wake line”,
– moving boats can approach each other laterally by a minimum of 1 cable, and 2 cables behind.
The behavior of teams (correct or incorrect) during fishing from a floating boat is regulated by articles 119 to 126, and if fishing from a moving boat, articles 127 to 134 of the Implementation Regulations apply. Fishing from a moving boat must be announced to the chief judge of the competition. In case of any misunderstandings, the final decision is made solely by the chief judge of the competition.
15. BAIT AND LURES: Quantities for this competition are not limited. Teams are provided with 30 kg of bait for chumming (sardines) of equal quality before the start of each daily competition (included in the entry fee). The purchase of additional quantities will be allowed before the start of each daily competition. The hosts-organizers undertake to provide teams with the purchase of chumming bait (sardines or other blue fish) of equal quality before the start of each daily competition. Teams acquire lures of their choice but in accordance with Article 42 of the Regulations. The use of artificial lures is allowed according to the provisions of Article 58 of the Regulations. During the competition, it is allowed to catch other fish species and use them whole or in part for lures or chumming, but using LIVE BAIT is prohibited.
16. PLACEMENT: Winners will be determined based on the highest total points scored over three fishing days. In case of unfavorable weather conditions for fishing and the impossibility of holding three fishing days, the results achieved on the days that were held will be declared as the final competition results. Teams with an equal number of points in the daily ranking will be ranked according to the time of the valid fish catch (the earlier time of hooking – or reporting is considered). Teams with an equal number of points after the second and third fishing days will be ranked according to the time of the valid fish catch per day (teams that caught on the first day, then the second, and finally the third have priority). If there are still teams with the same number of points, the team with a better placement in that fishing day will have an advantage.
17. SPECIAL PROVISIONS prescribed by these Rules:
Every fish catch must be reported to the referee boat with “fish on the hook” with an indication of the competition boat, the boat’s position. The team leader must record and report the release or retrieval of the fish on board (for tuna, also report the approximate weight). Conditionally extending the fishing time according to Article 79 of the Implementation Regulations in case of the so-called “late fish hooking”, the team will be granted an additional 1 hour.
The quota of ALLOWED bluefin tuna catch will be distributed over three fishing days. In case of not fulfilling the quota set for a particular fishing day, it will be carried over to the next one, and in case of exceeding the quota, it will be deducted from the following fishing day. Teams will be informed about the daily quotas at the team leaders’ meeting, and about changes in daily quotas during the roster verification.
Until the specified quota is reached, one tuna per boat per day is allowed to be kept. The chief judge of the competition monitors the filling of the daily quota and decides to implement the rule of “catch and release”. Any subsequent retrieval of tuna on the vessel results in disqualification and legal sanctions.
DETAILS IMPORTANT FOR THE COMPETITION IMPLEMENTATION:
– verification of daily participation (fishing day) – certified by the chief judge before setting off,
– distribution of control marks/wristbands for each daily participation – during the verification of daily participation,
– communication – via WhatsApp group and VHF radio on channel 72,
– backup communication via mobile phones.
– phone numbers of the management will be published in the competition documentation,
18. SPECIAL NOTE: The use of harpoons and fighting chairs on board during the competition is strictly prohibited. After hooking a fish, only one competitor is allowed to fight the fish using a fighting chair or a standing technique without assistance. The assistance of other team members is regulated by the Implementation Regulations. In case of “late hooking” if the team fails to bring the catch to the boat during the additional time, they must continue pulling the catch on board until the end and then release the catch by cutting the leader (as close to the hook as possible), but the catch will not be recognized. If they fail to do so or refuse, the team will be disqualified from the competition.
The chief judge of the competition, in accordance with the Regulations, will warn, issue warnings, disqualify teams for one fishing day, or for the entire competition for observed or reported irregularities.
19. OBJECTIONS, APPEALS:
Team leaders during the competition, orally through radio communication, publicly inform the chief judge of objections to the actions of certain teams. All objections must be resolved at sea or at the latest before the official weighing. Appeals after weighing and verification of catches must be submitted in writing to the Competition Management according to the provisions of articles 109 and 110 of the Implementation Regulations. The appeal fee is 50.00 euros.
20. PROGRAM AND SCHEDULE OF THE COMPETITION:
TUESDAY, 5 August 2025
– Arrival in ROGOZNICA by 6:00 pm
– Team verification by 7:30 pm
– Dinner, opening of the competition and team presentations, starting at 9:00 pm
– Team leaders meeting at premises of TZ Rogoznica
– Entertainment program for competitors
WEDNESDAY, 6 August 2025
– Boat inspection and list certification from 7:00 am
– Common line start signaled by a sound signal at 8:00 am
– Lines in the water earliest at 8:00 am
– Lines out of the water at 5:00 pm
– Arrival in Marina KREMIK by 6:30 pm
– Catch verification (video recording review) from 7:00 pm
– Weighing of catches from 7:30 pm
– Dinner from 8:00 pm
THURSDAY, 7 August 2025
– Distribution of control marks from 7:00 am
– Start signaled by a sound signal at 8:00 am
– Lines in the water earliest at 8:00 am
– Lines out of the water at 5:00 pm
– Arrival in Marina KREMIK by 6:30 pm
– Catch verification (video recording review) from 7:00 pm
– Weighing of catches from 7:30 pm
– Dinner from 8:00 pm
FRIDAY, 8 August 2025
– Distribution of control marks from 7:00 am
– Start signaled by a sound signal at 8:00 am
– Lines in the water earliest at 8:00 am
– Lines out of the water at 4:00 pm
– Return to ROGOZNICA by 6:30 pm
– Catch verification (video recording review) from 7:00 pm
– Weighing of catches from 7:30 pm
– Dinner from 8:00 pm
– Award ceremony at 9:00 pm
– Entertainment program, for all participants
21. AWARDS:
Winners will receive rich sponsor prizes in addition to the medals.
NOTE: Minor additions or changes to the rules (approved quotas, schedules, etc.) are possible. Team leaders will be informed of any changes before the start of the competition at a joint meeting.
Fishing Sports Club
“GIRIČIĆ” Kaštel Gomilica
President
Borislav Taras
