Port Hacking Game Fishing Club Inc.

The Committee shall be the sole adjudicator of the tournament and rules. Any decision by the Committee shall be binding and final.

The competition shall consist of the 2026 Port Hacking 100 Paul Barning Memorial Tournament (also referred to as "the Tournament" or "PH100") and is a two-day event fished on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2026.

Boats may return to Port Hacking or their home port both days, complying with the tournament rules.

Saturday night Central Zone Prizes: Only Central Zone boats that attend Port Hacking Game Fishing Club on Saturday, 2nd May 2026 and have submitted their paperwork prior to 8pm cut-off time are eligible for Central Zone Capture and Tag Release prizes.

A briefing for the tournament will be convened at 19:00 on Friday 1st May 2026 at the Royal Motor Yacht Club – Port Hacking, 228 Woolooware Road, Burraneer (referred to as the "RMYC"). Attendance by each competing vessel's skipper or a registered tournament angler is recommended but not mandatory. It is therefore up to each individual team to fully understand and abide by all tournament rules and procedures as set out in this entry form.

The briefing will also be broadcast via the club's Facebook page. Details of the broadcast will be published on the Facebook page of Port Hacking Game Fishing Club in the days beforehand.

Tournament Entry Fees are $200 per senior angler and $60 per junior angler for Trophy Categories 1–16 and 18. Anyone associated with the tag or capture of a fish in the tournament is required to enter (captain, angler, deckhands, wire man, gaff person, tag person).

A separate fee of $300 per boat is payable for entry to cash jackpot Category 18.

The Captain must sign the entry form and a copy of the vessel's current Public Liability Insurance MUST be provided. Entries will not be accepted without the above being completed/supplied.

Team Captains must forward scans or images of completed entry forms preferably via email to phgfcsecretary@outlook.com or online on the website, or SMS to 0414 555 623.

The PH100 is open to teams comprising anglers who are financial members of any club affiliated with the GFAA or a recognised State Game Fishing Association. At the discretion of the tournament committee, proof of current financial membership of a club may be required.

Teams may fish from another port on the first fishing day but must not commence fishing until within tournament waters – latitude 33.35 in the north and 34.36 in the south. All competing vessels may return to their home port and fish day two from there also, ensuring fishing in tournament waters.

The PH100 is a two-day event fished on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2026.

Fishing will commence at 08:00 Saturday and Sunday morning and cease at 16:30 on Saturday and at 16:00 on Sunday. No burleying, fishing or use of Omni shall commence before 08:00 hours on both days. Any fish hooked and reported to the Tournament Radio Base before the end of fishing on a nominated fishing day may be played to capture or tag and release and will be eligible for inclusion in the tournament provided that the tag card or capture certificate is presented at the tournament weighbridge before 18:00 on Sunday, 3rd May 2026.

Boats fishing to their home port on Sunday 3rd May 2026 can submit tag cards and/or capture certificates for Trophy Categories 1–16 and 18 via email or SMS to the point scorer Sam Taylor – Secretary (phgfcsecretary@outlook.com, 0414 555 623) by 18:00 on that day. All paperwork must be signed and approved by a home club Weigh Master or Committee Member. A time-stamped image of the vessel at the home club weigh station must also be provided.

Note: To be eligible for Trophy Category 18, capture must be presented at the tournament weigh station before 18:00 on Sunday 3rd May 2026.

On Sunday 3rd May 2026, a trophy presentation dinner will be held at the RMYC commencing at 19:30. Dinner tickets may be pre-purchased on the entry form at a cost of $75 per head ($30 for children under 12). Any extra attendees on the night are at a cost of $75 per head and this will be strictly enforced.

Will be conducted as per NSWGFA Guidelines for Radio Scheds for Tournaments. Radio schedules will be kept by all teams with the appointed radio base every second hour commencing at 09:40. Teams may only compete aboard vessels fitted with a working VHF radio that both receives and transmits on VHF Channel 82 and 22.

It is each skipper's decision whether to log on with Marine Rescue Sydney when they leave port prior to the first sched at 09:40.

When called, teams are to report to the radio base as follows: team number, team name, current position, whether trolling, moored or drifting, and the number of persons on board (only in the case of the first radio sched each day of competition). Fishing reports use the "0-0-0" system (strikes, hook-ups and captures/tag and release), angler's name and the line class used.

PHGFC insists that all boats call in and notify of all hook-ups of sharks and marlin and tag/captures of sharks and marlin at time of the event on channel 82 or 22 nominating the vessel name, angler and line class.

All fish to be weighed must be measured for the short length at time of capture. Billfish are measured from the lower jaw to the fork in the tail; sharks and other gamefish from the nose to the fork in the tail.

Failure to report on two consecutive scheds will result in the boat being considered "missing at sea" and search and rescue procedures will be instigated. A boat which causes a "search and rescue" situation to be instigated without proper cause will be disqualified and penalised.

A ten (10) minute period of radio silence is to be observed before the end of fishing on each day to allow for communication of late hook-ups.

All teams must sign off by radio to the radio base when they enter port. If unable to make radio contact, they must report to a member of the Committee at the Weigh Station before going to mooring. Failure to report on return will invoke a penalty of loss of points for the day or 5,000 points (whichever is greater). Boats not signed off will be reported to the appropriate authorities as "missing at sea".

Once boats enter the vicinity of the weigh station, they are under the control of the Tournament Official at the weigh station. Boats must have completed and have ready for presentation all equipment used to affect the capture or tag and release and applicable paperwork. The weigh station will be open from 16:00 on each fishing day.

The Port Hacking 100 Tournament is fished in full compliance with the current rules as gazetted by the GFAA and the NSW GFA from time to time, and includes all Species Lists and Minimum Weights as set out in the current rules as printed by NSW GFA.

Statutory Requirements: All anglers must carry a NSW Saltwater Fishing License (if applicable). Bag limit and size restrictions must be adhered to. It is an offence to tie any vessel to objects, such as wave rider buoys, FADs or fish trap buoys.

Replacement of boats and competitors: No replacement of boats or competitors will be allowed after entries close (12 noon Wednesday 29 April 2026). Anglers may not affect a capture or tag and release on any other vessel than the vessel they are registered on.

12.1 The use of identifiable Marlin carcasses is prohibited for use as tethered burley. Burley secured under floats is prohibited.

12.2 In the event of a multiple strike on separate lines being fished by a single angler, only the first fish fought will be eligible for all point scores or records.

12.3 Anglers must use the "Billfish Tag" to tag all billfish species (including shortbill spearfish). The "Billfish Tag" is for billfish only point score (no other species).

12.4 The declaration of a Gale Warning by the appropriate government weather authority will automatically require cancellation of any tournament under the auspices of NSW GFA. Vessels at sea must cease fishing immediately and return to port.

12.5 Method of releasing tagged fish: hook is to be removed, or leader cut as close to the hook as possible.

12.6 Capture of sharks on 4kg line will not qualify. All sharks tagged must measure 100cm or more.

12.7 Multifilament line use will be in line with the NSW GFA "Policy for The Use Of Multifilament Line".

12.8 Sale of fish: any fish weighed shall not be sold or bartered. Anyone found to have sold their catch will be disqualified.

12.9 Circle Hooks: permitted for live baiting and trolling natural baits, except when targeting Narrow Barred Mackerel. No points scored for any species caught while using live baits or trolling natural baits with "J" hooks.

All Tag and Release of fish throughout the competition must be accompanied by time and date stamped photographic images. The tournament committee may, at its discretion, review the images at any stage and amend provisional results accordingly. Failure to provide the images will result in zero points being allocated to the tag & release.

The area of competition is restricted to the waters south of 33.35.000 Barrenjoey Light House and north of 34.36.000 and 60 nautical miles seawards from the NSW Coastline (as per Central Zone grid map).

Point scoring will be as per the current NSW GFA point score system for both capture and tag and release. In the case of a tied result, a count-back applies. Time of capture or tag and release must be clearly shown; if not recorded, the time will be deemed to be the end of fishing. If the line class is not clearly shown, it shall be deemed to be 60kg.

The cut-off point to the weigh station for the purposes of Rule 7 is deemed to be a line extending east into Gunnamatta Bay from the northern extremity of the floating marina of the RMYC.

Returning to Home Port, Recording of Captures/Tags — Trophy Categories 1–16 & 18: Boats fishing to their home port on the last nominated day can submit tag cards and/or capture certificates via email or SMS to Sam Taylor (phgfcsecretary@outlook.com, 0414 555 623) by 18:00 on that day. All paperwork must be signed and approved by a home club Weigh Master or Committee Member.

Carcasses must be taken not less than 2nm to sea and disposed of by the following day. No fish are to be disposed of in any marine park. Failure to comply will result in a penalty of 5,000 points. In the event of any shark or marlin being given away for eating, only the fillets may be given. The remaining carcass is the responsibility of the skipper and crew.

All protests must be in writing and signed by the team captain and must be lodged with a member of the Tournament Committee no later than one hour after the weighing of the last fish of the day.

The Committee will test and inspect any tackle used by a competitor or team to capture or tag and release a fish submitted to the tournament.

Any vessel entered in the tournament must be insured against risk of damage and injury to third parties to a minimum of $10,000,000. The Tournament Committee, PHGFC, and RMYC carry no responsibility for damage, loss or injury as a result of entering the tournament. A Certificate of Currency of the appropriate insurance must be supplied with the entry form.

It is the responsibility of the owner of each vessel to ensure that vessel is completely seaworthy and meets the safety standards of NSW Maritime and the affiliated club. The decision to put to sea or remain at sea is entirely the responsibility of the skipper. In the event of a gale warning, the Tournament will be called off and all vessels must immediately return to port. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to postpone or cancel the tournament at any time.

The RMYC is located within a residential area where residents are sensitive to noise and other disturbances. Strict noise and conduct etiquette are to be always observed by competitors (refer to Rule 20 Penalties).

Misconduct: The Tournament Committee may investigate and act upon any incident of misconduct, including loss of points, disqualification, and refusal of entry to future tournaments.

Conduct & Dress: Gentlemen minimum – shorts, t-shirt and enclosed footwear. Ladies – appropriate apparel; no beach-wear. Items not permitted: singlets; offensive, worn-out or soiled t-shirts; overalls; football jumpers; football/training shorts; soiled clothing or footwear.

No trailer boats shall be launched or retrieved before 07:00 and after 22:00 Monday to Sunday. No cars and trailers are to be left on the ramp at any time. They should be parked in the marked trailer parking area at the top of the RMYC car park.

There is strictly no camping in the RMYC car park under any circumstances.

To be eligible for a prize, the specified fish must be caught in accordance with all State and National rules; in the manner prescribed by the IGFA international angling rules; and all other rules contained herein.

A winning fish must be the largest to exceed the specified weight, measured in kilograms. In the event of a tie the winner will be determined by the earliest time of capture. The Blue Marlin must be weighed at RMYC in one piece (in respectable condition), subject to committee discretion.

Eligible species: Pacific Blue Marlin exceeding a weight of 250 kgs. Eligible waters: those off Port Hacking Sydney, Australia (see Rule 14).

All anglers must be pre-registered prior to the commencement of the tournament. Junior Anglers are eligible with parent/guardian permission. Small Fry Anglers are not eligible.

Only six (6) lines per boat may be used at any one time. Tackle make and size may be the option of the angler, but within IGFA rules.

If there is a claim, Exhibit B and Exhibit C forms will be provided by PHGFC and must be completed within two (2) weeks of the tournament conclusion. PHGFC must visually record each winning weight (the fish being weighed, the scales, and the official weight).

The prize money ($200,000 AUD) will be transferred to the winner within six (6) weeks of the claim being approved by the underwriters. Any winning fish in this prize category will not be eligible to claim a GFAA National Record due to the prize value but will be eligible for NSW GFA and IGFA record claims.

Winning fish in Category 18 are not eligible for other prize categories (do not accumulate boat points for capture to boat and angler points).

Sharks must be a minimum length of 100cm to be tagged.