Download the LMIT 2007 Open Invitation: Right-click HERE and select "Save File As"
Download the LMIT 2007 Rules: Right-click HERE and select "Save File As"
Newspaper Publication - December 2006
MALAWI WIN GOLD
In John Deere International Angling Tournament
Under the new ruling by the Minister of Sport, Culture and Youth, the Angling Society of Malawi (ASOM), assisted by the National Sports Council, hosted the historic, first ever, international angling tournament on Lake Malawi. The event took place at Salima from 2nd to 3rd December 2006. Teams from Malawi, South Africa and Zambia took part as did Club Teams from Blantyre and Lilongwe.
This two day event, saw the Malawi Team come up winners with 646 points, closely beating South Africa and Zamia teams, and a first gold for Malawi. Although the event has been run as a Club Tournament since 1995, this is the first time that the event was accepted as a National Event. Fishing is with the use of artificial lures only, makes it more challenging, with 900 species of fish to choose from.
The event attained comment from the visiting international teams as "one of the best they have ever attended", thanks to sponsorship by John Deere, through local agency Costantini & Co (85), and Toyota Malawi, Gaffar Transport, Limbe Leaf, Alliance One, Whistlers Club, First Merchant Bank, Terrastone, Aquarius, Promat, Central Poultry, Foodworths, Stewart and Lloyds, Water Boring, Ori Meats, Intosport, Valmore, Printshop, Moonlite, ACAL, Fersons, Cranko Auto Services, Midland Travel and a host of well wishers.
LMIT PHOTOS - DECEMBER 2006
Early Morning Launch |
"The Winners" - ASOM team with their catch |
The South African team with their catch |
The SORAC team with their catch |
LMIT SPONSORS
John Deere and Costantini & Co (85) |
Toyota Malawi |
Gaffar Transport |
Limbe Leaf |
Alliance One |
Whistlers Club |
First Merchant Bank |
Terrastone |
Aquarius |
Promat |
Central Poultry |
Foodworths |
Stewart and Lloyds |
Water Boring |
Ori Meats |
Intosport |
Valmore |
Printshop |
Moonlite |
ACAL |
Fersons |
Cranko Auto Services |
Midland Travel |
Wico |
| Skyband Corporation Ltd. |
Kameko Technologies |
LMIT RULES 2007
LAKE MALAWI INTERNATIONAL ANGLING TOURNAMENT (LMIAT)
“THE 7 th ARTLURE EVENT AND 4 th JOHN DEERE TROPHY”
SPONSORED BY
WHISTLER'S, SALIMA , MALAWI.
DECEMBER 1 st and 2 nd 2007
1. Background:
The Lake Malawi International Angling Tournament (LMIAT), first initiated in 1995, was an international inter-club event between the South African Artificial Lure Angling Association (SAALAA) and Lilongwe and Districts Angling Club (LADAC). Repeated in 1998, from 2003, the LMIAT has become an annual event. In 2006 it became an annual international fixture of the Angling Society of Malawi (ASOM), was recognized as a “national sports event”, and now supports the Malawi colours. In that same year, Malawi became affiliated to Zone 6 Artlure, and the LMIAT is now part of the regional, international angling calendar open to all Zone 6 member countries and invited Club Teams. Since 2004, John Deere have kindly sponsored the floating trophy, lending the name “John Deere Trophy” for the winning team and manager.
The Angling Society of Malawi (ASOM) is about promoting “the environmental sustainability and recreational pleasure of angling in national waters of Malawi . It is open for everyone, catering for all affiliated Club members interests (male and female), especially promoting junior anglers. Ensuring ASOM, Zone 6 and IGFA rules are applied in a professional, fair and equitable manner, transparent to all, encouraging integrity, sportsmanship and team spirit. We believe in instilling camaraderie, fellowship and pride in the Society and its achievements, adding angling to the social events of the entertainment calendar of Malawi through local, inter-club, national and international club competitions”.
2. History of the Tournament To Date:
| 1995 |
SAALA |
| 1998 |
SAALA |
| 2003 |
LADAC A (719.52 points) |
| 2004 |
LADAC A (646.87 points) |
| 2005 |
LADAC A (859.31 points) |
| 2006 |
ASOM |
3. Lake Safety First:
The Lake is an inland sea and should not be taken lightly. It is prone to sudden storms and winds and waves can be misleading, watch out for the cross-chop. Beware of shallow areas and hidden rocks. Each Team is responsible for their own safety and risk, and must sign an indemnity that the organizers cannot be held liable for any mishap, injury, accident or loss of boat, life, or limb. Competitors are asked to respect the following rules:
a. |
Life jackets must be worn at all times when the boat is in fast motion. |
b. |
All boats must carry on board an anchor, ship to shore radio (and/or cell phone), 1-2 emergency flares, a torch, 25 liters of spare fuel, tow rope, fire extinguisher, and a mirror. |
c. |
All fishing is from the boat only. No bank fishing or wading. One person must remain in the boat at all times. |
d. |
The “kill switch lanyard” must be worn all times when the boat is at a speed faster than trawl. |
e. |
Do not fire flares unless in distress, and best to do so at night. |
f. |
Maintain cell phone contact with your Manager who must at all times know where you are. |
g. |
If a boat fails to call in by phone or radio, or appear at the weigh bay after the allotted time, a rescue will be launched. If a false alarm due to failure to call in late, the offender shall bear the costs. |
h. |
If in distress or broken down, immediately radio in on Channel 14 to “base” or phone your Manager. Anyone hearing the call must respond to a call for emergency assistance and/or relay the message to “base”, to the Safety Officer or to the Team Manager. The Safety Officer and/or Team Manager shall launch a rescue. If you are near and it is an emergency, you are obliged to respond to help, until a rescue team can arrive. In dire emergency, use the all stations cal, Channel 16. Recovery costs will be for the expense of the Team concerned. |
i. |
If towing is necessary, either make sure that your catch is brought in by your team mates or Team Manager. If this is not possible, make sure that the Weigh Bay Master is informed well in advance. Points will not be lost if permission to be late is given BEFORE the allotted time expires. |
j. |
If a storm blows-up, do not risk the crossing. Go to a safe haven and spend the night (eg. Stuart Grants Bay ). |
k. |
Beware of crocodiles and hippos at all times. Avoid villages as children tend to be abusive and stone throw. |
l. |
Take precautions against bilharzia, sunburn, dehydration, malaria (and hangovers). |
m. |
The “far rocky coast” , Mozambique waters, and National Parks waters (ie. 100 m offshore from Maleri Islands ) are all “out-of-bounds”! Make sure you are familiar with the map of the designated fishing area. |
n. |
You take part at your own risk. Make sure you have adequate insurance cover for yourself, equipment and boat. Boats can be lent to visiting teams but in exceptional cases. Members lend on individual basis on a “bend you mend policy”. Please respect you are dealing with some one's “precious”. Boat hire can be arranged. |
o. |
Should the weather on any give day be too rough, the Captains shall decide whether to take the risk to fish or to postpone. One day is kept as a buffer day in the event of poor weather. |
p. |
Safety Officer & Weigh Bay Master may check compliance at any time. Spot checks will be conducted. |
4. Emergency Numbers/Call Signs:
If in distress, in an emergency, breakdown or otherwise please note the following:
• For serious emergency or SOS if unable to raise help on Channel 14, use all points emergency on channel 16.
• For competition chit chat and if in need of assistance use Channel 14.
Person to Contact Radio Sign Cell Phone
| |
Person to Contact |
Radio Sign |
Cell Phone |
• |
Safety & Weigh Bay Master |
Whistlers Base |
tba |
| • |
Logistics Officers |
Whistlers Base |
tba |
| • |
Safety Back-up |
Sungwa Base |
tba |
Team boat signs and phones numbers shall be separately documented and carried at all times on the boat.
5. Competition Rules:
a. |
This is a team event, of 4 anglers. |
b. |
Only 2 anglers may fish in a boat together. No external skipper will be allowed, except if required for juniors, or in exceptional circumstances, the boat owner may organize a skipper for a team. |
c. |
Only the combined catch of the 4 nominated team members shall count towards tournament points. |
d. |
The Team Managers shall fish their own event with a different set of rules and times. |
e. |
Artificial lure angling (Artlure) ONLY. Normal Zone 6 Artlure, IGFA and ASOM rules apply. |
f. |
No bait fishing, chumming or any live bait or chemical attractants, may be used. |
g. |
Only one rod may be used at a time. Spare rods may be carried. |
h. |
Maximum test breaking strain is IGFA regulated 4 kg or 9 lbs mono-filament line. No braided or fire line! A leader of heavier line may be used, but maximum length of 0.5 meter. |
i. |
All 4 anglers may pool their catch in the same fish retention receptacle, it is a team event. |
j. |
All fish must be hooked in the mouth. No jigging allowed. Fish foul hooked, not hooked in the mouth, or at least in front of the eyes, must be released. |
k. |
Only one lure of maximum 2 treble hooks per rod may be fished at any one time. |
l. |
Boats must respect the others fishing swim. Stay 50 m from neighbouring boats. No trolling motors allowed. |
6. Competition Times:
a. |
Boats may launch anywhere but all must register and start same time at Whistlers at 0530 hrs. |
b. |
Boats will depart at the same time from between 2 marker buoys posted off-shore from the Whistlers. Those going south are to position themselves accordingly, likewise for those heading north. Await the countdown and signal rocket. Move away with caution to avoid collision. |
c. |
Fishing may commence as soon as you reach your destination. |
d. |
Managers leave 15 minutes later and return 15 minutes before the closing time. |
e. |
All boats must be back at the weigh-bay by 1600 hrs. |
f. |
All fish must be in a cooler box or container marked with Team name, registered with the Weigh Bay Master and placed in the designated weigh bay sanitary area, the “red square” by 1610 hrs. After that the sanitary area is “out of bounds”. You have 10 minutes to get from boat to Weigh Bay , to allow for congestion. Any late arrival at the weigh bay after 1610 hrs on the Weigh Bay clock shall be disqualified, unless the Weigh Bay Master has prior approved the late arrival due to exceptional circumstances or breakdown. |
g. |
When called, the Team will have 5-10 minutes to sort the fish they wish to weigh. Place separately, by species and your quota number on the plastic mat provided. No grass or sand on the fish will be accepted. An adjudicator shall be on hand to assist with species verification at this time. Once the Team quota has been verified, place each species separately in the basket provided. |
h. |
Team Managers, when the team is called, shall bring the catch to the scale and verify the weigh in. |
i. |
Only 4 specimens per agreed species category may be entered per Team, for the Tournament, provided above the minimum size limit. |
j. |
Managers shall verify the weight, number and points entered and sign the score sheet in agreement. No-one else may enter the weigh bay scale area. Captains are then to sign off on the score sheet as accepted. |
7. Competition Days:
Monday |
26.11.07 |
Airport pick-up, transfer to Salima, free day to sort kit, boats, etc. |
Tuesday |
27.11.07 |
0600 to 1600 hrs practice, (For security, limited to S/West Bank) |
Wednesday |
28.11.07 |
0600 to 1600 Team Practice Day (For security, limited to East Bank) |
Thursday |
29.11.07 |
0600 to 1600 Team Practice Day (For security, limited to West Bank) |
Friday |
30.11.07 |
Boats off the water. Rest/repairs day. 1700 Captains Briefing Whistlers.
Final registration, evening teams dinner, formal wear, and team presentation. |
Saturday |
01.12.07 |
0530-1600 hrs Test Day 1. (Evening team BBQ, casual, entertainment) |
Sunday |
02.12.07 |
0530-1600 hrs Test Day 2. (Evening team dinner and prize giving).
Formal wear, 1900 at Whistlers/Cannery. |
Monday |
03.12.07 |
Fish Clinic (one on one)(optional) |
Tuesday |
04.12.07 |
Return to home |
|
|
|
Due to the practical logistics and interest of security and lake safety, all teams should fish in the same zone on the same practice days. There will be an escort team on hand in the event of any emergency, or getting lost.
8. Competition Area:
During competition, the fishing grounds are limited to the national waters of Malawi and the fishing limits shall be defined by the boundaries of: Monkey Bay , Chinamkwazi Rock, Makanjeri Point , Mozambique Border, Mbenje Island and Chidoola Creek. Disqualification will occur if found outside these boundaries.
Fishing outside these areas is “out of bounds”, especially, far rocky coast and Mozambique waters (See the map if in doubt). Respect National Parks boundaries, 100 m from high water mark off Maleri Islands is out of bounds.
9. Competition Points:
The competition is made up of 3 scoring opportunities:
| • |
A quota score where 5 points are awarded for each specimen weighed in each of the approved species category, upto the total of 4 (ie 20 points/species/test) as per the Team quota set for each species above the fixed size limit (See table). |
| • |
A bulk species score based on a maximum 10 points per specimen but prorate to the proportionate weight in kilogram of each fish per species as a % relative to the ASOM record weight for that species (See table). |
| • |
Bonus: A 5 points bonus for any specimen that qualifies for monthly mug (ie. 80% of record), or 10 points bonus shall be awarded for any specimen that equals or betters the record. |
Managers shall fish a limited area. For logistical purposes, both days shall be limited to Maleri Islands . Their quota shall be 4 per angler of each specimen based on the above score system and approved species listed and size limits (see Table). Managers shall have a separate competition. If a team emergency arises, the team managers are the first port of call and forgo fishing.
For clarity, Chambo means any tilapia species. Lyani are classified as the open water variety. Inshore Lyani (alias Mozambique Sun fish with the redish tinge to the sides) will form a separate category. Anything not mentioned, will come under the entry of “other scale fish” and % will be of an average 0.5 kg, unless the species grows bigger where the weight for points shall be as % of the ASOM species record list.
Tournament Score System
Species |
Minimum |
Maximum Catch/Quota |
Bulk Points |
Quota Points |
Record |
Potential |
|
Size (cm) |
(No of Fish/Team) |
(No per Manager) |
(%/kg Record) |
Per Specimen |
Wt (Kg) |
Points per Team |
Sungwa |
32 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
1.25 |
60 |
Ncheni |
27 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
1.13 |
60 |
Lyani |
23 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
0.614 |
60 |
Chambo (any tilapia) |
23 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
1.13 |
60 |
Big Blue (Bucco) |
23 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
1.13 |
60 |
Big Blue ( Normal ) |
23 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
0.68 |
60 |
Inshore Lyani |
23 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
0.64 |
60 |
Yellowfish (labeo/barbus) |
23 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
2.27 |
60 |
Other Scale (Cichlid) |
23 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
0.5 |
60 |
Non-Scale (clarias/kampango) |
40 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
1.50 |
60 |
The following penalty points will prevail:
a. |
Please limit your kill and do not bring more than 1-2 spare fish of the same species to the weigh bay. If more than your quota is brought to the scale, you will be penalized 5 points per fish. |
b. |
Please respect the size limits. Any undersize fish brought to the scale in any category shall incur a 5 point penalty. Size shall be measured from tip of lip to the “maximum possible stretch length” to the tip of the tail. |
c. |
The total points accumulated for bulk and quota will be combined as the teams score for the day and the total of 2 days catch will decide the winner. |
d. |
The adjudicator will assist to identify and separate species into categories. The Adjudicator shall decide on any query and the decision is final. If a fish species is in error at the scale, a change may be made with prior consultation of the Adjudicator and Weigh Bay Master. |
e. |
In the event of a dispute, the Captains and Weigh Bay Master shall resolve the dispute, in open, amicable sportsmanship dialogue. The Weigh Bay Master decision shall be binding. |
10. Logistics:
a. |
Teams must pre-register by end August 2007, to secure Malawi Sports Council approval. Provide team member names, passport details, nationality and accommodation/meals requirements (see booking forms). |
b. |
Teams are responsible for their own logistical support and costs, such as accommodation, oils, fueling of boats, repairs, containers, ice, lunch and drinks, insurance, etc. Assistance will be provided to guests from international Clubs and to all those who book in advance, at pre-registration. |
c. |
Entrance fee covers the use of Whistlers, boat launch and for the designated evening team dinner/BBQ. |
d. |
Boat oil and fuel shall be made available if ordered through the Whistlers at commercial rates. Each Team shall be allocated fuel drums by the Logistics Officers and must make arrangements and pay a deposit at the time. Please pay in advance, for these to be refilled from the local station at Salima, 20 km away. Each Team is ACCOUNTABLE for their own fuel and MUST monitor use and share costs as a team. The organizers cannot be held responsible for any error. Team Managers must do all checks. |
e. |
Team members may organize breakfasts, lunch and drinks from the bar, or take care of own needs. |
11. Formalities:
Team colours should be worn for test days. Team blazers are to be worn for the presentation of the teams and for the prize giving. Have a safe, fun filled, memorable and challenging event.
Good luck to all, tight lines.
7th ASOM Lake Malawi International Angling Tournament (LMIAT) Organizers 2007
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