At the Fishing Sub-Committee meeting held on Tuesday 29th April it was agreed that all members of the Apapa Boat Club who fish would be asked to consider some rule changes to the Apapa Boat Club General Fishing Rules.

The areas under consideration are (1) The landing of billfish, (2) The points awarded for a "tag-and-release" billfish and (3) Sponsors discretionary rules. Please note that this is a package and therefore acceptance means all suggested changes are approved and a rejection means that all the existing rules remain unchanged.

(1) The landing of Billfish.

Rule # 9 states - Landed Billfish will also be accepted (when not specifically excluded as in Rule 7).

The Sub-Committee considers that the Apapa Boat Club should espouse to be recognized as an organization that both accepts and strives to meet the principles and standards prevailing throughout the world of sports angling. Conservation of the fish stocks has to be the primary concern of all anglers as this ensures that our enjoyment today is passed on to future generations. The Sub-Committee therefore considers that the recognition of landed Billfish in an official Apapa Boat Club fishing competition is inappropriate.

The Sub-Committee fully understands that for every angler the excitement and sense of accomplishment in catching a billfish must not be undervalued as so it is accepted that any angler can land a billfish to record the achievement. However it is hoped that each angler will recognize the Apapa Boat Club's aspirations towards creating a more vibrant fishing environment and therefore billfish will only be landed in special circumstances.

In light of the above it is proposed that Rule # 9 is changed to - Landed Billfish are not recognized in the Apapa Boat Club fishing competitions.

(2) The points awarded for tag-and-release billfish.

Rule # 10 states - Billfish will score in a competition as follows:-

• Marlin tag-and-release 15 points
• Sailfish tag-and-release 10 points
• Marlin landed 5 points (irrespective of weight)
• Sailfish landed 3 points (irrespective of weight)

It is proposed that Rule # 10 is changed to - Billfish will score in a competition as follows:-

• Marlin tag-and-release 50 points
• Sailfish tag-and-release 20 points

Rule # 7 states - No species shall be excluded from a competition, except in specific fish competitions. This is where the desired species or selection of desired species is specifically mentioned.

Throughout the current fishing season 80% of the competitions held have had the Apapa Boat Club General Fishing Rules adjusted by the Sponsor. The Sub-Committee considers that with the rule amendments above the Sponsors aspirations will have been achieved and consequently the Apapa Boat Club General Fishing Rules should govern the fishing competitions.

It is proposed that Rule # 7 is changed to - Apapa Boat Club fishing competitions will be organized under the Apapa Boat Club General Fishing Rules.

All votes should be sent to fishing-secretary@apapaboatclub.com

The conditions for voting are as follows:

• One vote per adult fishermen.
• Rules should be accept or rejected with a straight YES for change or NO against change.
• Where parts of the rule change are accepted and others rejected by a voter, that vote will be considered null and void.
• Deadline for votes 1st September 2008.
• The results are binding on the Fishing Sub-committee.

Note. The delay in posting this notice was due to the re-organisation of www.apapaboatclub.com