Changes Planned For Nc Saltwater Fishing Tournament

[NCangler]

MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will make several changes to its Saltwater Fishing Tournament, popularly called the Citation Program, effective Jan. 1.

The tournament is not a competition but a longstanding certification program that recognizes outstanding saltwater catches.

For 2008, the tournament will institute two new awards for anglers who meet three citation requirements within the tournament year of Jan 1 to Dec. 31.

A Billfish Grand Slam will be awarded to anglers who recorded a released or weighed blue marlin, a white marlin, and a sailfish release within the tournament year.

An Inshore Grand Slam will be awarded to anglers who recorded a weighed flounder, a weighed or released trout (speckled or gray), and a released red drum within the tournament year.

These certificates will be issued to anglers at the end of the tournament year, and the anglers will be recognized using the tournament database.

Additionally, minimum citation requirements will change for several fish.

Only release citations will be offered for barracuda, jack crevalle, sailfish, tarpon and white marlin. The release size will be 45 inches for barracuda and 32 inches for jack crevalle. Citations will be awarded for the live release of sailfish, tarpon and white marlin of any size.

Minimum weight requirements for landed fish will decrease for bluefish, black drum, sheepshead and triggerfish. Minimum release lengths will change for king mackerel, striped bass and bluefin tuna.

Added to the citation program for 2008 are tilefish, blackfin tuna, false albacore and Atlantic bonita. Tautog was deleted from the program.

These are the first major changes to Saltwater Fishing Tournament requirements in several years. They were initiated by at the request of several anglers.

For more information, contact Carole Willis, DMF sport fishing specialist, at (252) 726-7021 or carole.y.willis@ncmail.net. A list of 2008 requirements is attached.