1. All competitors competing in Nationals Championships must be registered members with the British

Spearfishing Association (‘B.S.A.’) seven days prior to any National Competition.

2. The B.S.A. or the competition organisers must issue all competitors with a competition Float number.
3. Any competitor wishing to take part in a National competition must, in addition to his membership fee, pay an

additional amount representing a competition entry fee. This must be paid to the competition organisers PRIOR to the start of the competition. Any competitor who has not paid prior to starting a competition shall be disqualified for that competition. Juniors do not have to pay any entrance fee but must still register with competition organisers.

4. Any competitor wishing to take part in a National Competition, who is not a current fully paid up member of the

B.S.A. shall be permitted to compete if he pays a one day subscription fee (to cover insurance costs) in addition to the competition entry fee. The result on the day will count for that competition however will not be used in the championships. (see rule 1 a)

5. All competitors must be 14 years of age on the date of the first national competition.
6. Those between 14 and 19 years of age ('juniors’) on the date of the first national competition of the season must

have written permission from a parent or guardian on the entrance form provided. This form must be completed before the start of the season and retained by the Membership Secretary.

7. Any competitor entering a National Competition must be grouped into a team. A team shall consist of 3

prospective competing clubs at least four weeks in advance of their competition.

(‘D.C.A.’). It must also contain any alternative areas and any areas that are out of bounds to competitors.

the ‘D.S.A.’ and the ‘D.F.A.’ respectively.

7 days prior to a competition. Any competitor found or proved to have been in contravention of this clause will not be eligible to compete in that competition.

Any competitor found or proved to be in contravention of this clause will not be eligible to compete in that competition.

another competitor will be disqualified from that competition. An incident of this nature will also render the competitors’ liable to investigation by the B.S.A. and the appropriate sanctions will be imposed.

1. All competitors must start at the D.S.A. in full spearfishing equipment.
2. Competitors may make for their selected site by walking, running, or swimming immediately after the start of

the competition.

3. No competitor will be allowed to start the competition from a boat, or have the use of a boat other than when allowed

by the competition organisers.

4. Anyone fishing outside of the D.C.A. during a competition will be disqualified from that competition and from

the ensuing two competitions.

5. A competitor must return himself and his catch, float and guns to the D.F.A. by his own physical efforts (by

whatever means available) before the official finishing time. He must sign out as soon as possible on leaving the water.

6. Any competitor arriving back at the D.F.A. after the official finishing time will be penalised as follows :-

1. Up to and including 10 minutes after the finishing time, his score will be halved.
2. After 11 minutes of the finishing time he will be disqualified.
3. The competition organisers at the beginning of each competition will set the official finishing time.

1. The competitor must be immersed in the water at the time of spearing any fish.

1. During a competition all competitors must tow one marker buoy. This buoy must have a minimum volume of 5 litres

and a maximum volume of 20 litres, and fly the A flag, which must be a minimum of 15cm x 15cm and be clearly visible.

2. All floats must carry competitors individual float number, (minimum size 75mm)
3. No loaded gun to be carried on float under any circumstances.
4. All competitors must fish within a 25metre radius of their float,(measured across the surface)

to return to the D.S.A. other than that provided by the competition organisers.

points value of the others’ catch at that time.

this nature will also render the competitors’ liable to investigation by the B.S.A. and the appropriate sanctions will be imposed.

1. In a National Boat Competition no competitor is to start the competition by walking or running away from the D.S.A. Otherwise the conditions contained in Clause 3d above shall apply.

1. It is not permitted to use any means to catch fish other than by knife, hand-spear or a spear expelled by a gun using compressed air, spring or rubber.
2. No cartridge or expellable gas guns may be used.
3. Guns must not be loaded on the beach or in a boat, and must be unloaded before leaving the water.

1. To qualify, a fish must be caught in the D.C.A. Within the time limits set for the competition by the organisers, and

be above legal local and/or national limits.

2. The following species of fish are NOT PERMITTED :-

1. The length of any fish will be measured from the tip of the snout to the end of tail fin using special liner devices supplied or approved by the Records officer or acting Records officer.
2. The Records Officer or acting Records Officer will have the final decision in any dispute about any fish length or weight.
3. If the Records officer is not available to oversee the weight in, then the majority of competitor’s shall elect an acting Records Officer.
4. Competition organiser may reduce fish lengths & weights restrictions for junior competitors only. However any reduction must still comply with minimum requirements by local fisheries. In addition points issued to these fish can only be used for the junior Championships and not senior or team Championships.
5. The minimum weights and length’s permitted are as follows:-

1. Round fish 1000 points per fish PLUS 1 point per gram (no maximum)
2. Mackerel/Garfish 2000 Points per fish PLUS point per gram (no maximum)
3. Bottom fish/Sharks/Rays 500 points per fish PLUS 0.5 points per gram

Dogs & Flounders (up to a maximum of 2500 total)

4. Flat fish 1000 points per fish PLUS 1 points per gram
5. accept Flounders (up to a maximum of 2500 total)
6. Conger Eel as per flat fish (up to a maximum of 3000 total)
7. Wrasse 1000 points per fish PLUS 1 point per gram

Competition organisers have discretion

to reduce points to half points

 

2. A competitor catching 4 species in any competition is entitled to bonus points in the following order:

1. 4 species 1000 points
2. 5 species 2000 points
3. 6 species 3000 points, and so on.

1. Any competitor wishing to lodge a complaint regarding the competition being or having just been held must notify the competition organisers at least one hour prior to the prize giving event for that competition.
2. Upon receipt of protest the competition organiser must call for a adjudicator committee in accordance with the Codes attached hereto.

1. Individual for male and female minimum age 14 years with parental permission until 19 years
2. Junior for male and female 14 years to 19 years with parental permission
3. Team any three individuals, who have registered with competition organisers, before the national competition starts, stating which team names they what to compete under.
4. Club highest three individual club members results for each round
5. Individual and Junior championships, the competitor, who’s catch, gains the highest amount of points allocated by rule section 8, shall be deemed winner of that national competition, the competitor subject to rule section 1 and 11. b) Shall be awarded 100 percent for that round, all other competitor points subject to rule section 1. And 11. b) Shall be awarded a percentage of the winning individual points.
6. Team championship. All individuals registered to a team name, will have there points added together. The team with the highest number of points, allocated by rule section 8, shall be deemed winners of that national competition, the team subject to rule section 1 and 11 b) shall be awarded 100 percent for that round, all other teams points subject to rule section 1. And 11. b) Shall be awarded a percentage of the winning team's points.

1. The competition rules contained herein must be available from the competition organiser for one hour prior to the start of the competition
2. The results of competitor not holding a British Passport OR who does not qualify for British residency will not be used in the calculation of results for the British National Championships.
3. Any B.S.A. member eligible for the International Squad must donate their fish for B.S.A. funds. Any squad member who does not so donate will not be eligible for the International Squad for the ensuing two years.
4. Unless expressly stated otherwise in the above clauses, any breach of these rules will result in the absolute disqualification of the offending competitor.
5. Alteration of the rules and the codes will not be permitted save by Ordinary Resolution in General Meeting in accordance with the B.S.A. Constitution attached hereto.
6. Where, under Clause 7. a) iii above, the competition organiser has decreed the weight of wrasse to be above 500 grams, the notice of competition (given under Clause 2. a) and b)) must state this.