Welcome to Tuna Pro Open!

GRANITE STATE TUNA PRO OPEN 2025
@ 
YANKEE FISHERMANS CoOperative
725 Ocean Blvd
July 26- AUG 1st 2025
Seabrook NH 03874

RULES OVERVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE




The rules as outlined below, are established to promote fairness to all participants and to protect the integrity of the tournament.  While the posted rules may not be ideal for traditional commercial fishing practices; they have taken into account the commercial nature of tuna fishing along with the need to maintain a transparent and fair tournament for all parties.




It is imperative and expected that all participants act respectfully and in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.  All participants agree to abide by all laws and tournament rules, and avoid any activity that could be deemed questionable, unfair, or unethical.




Any questions or clarification of the rules must be addressed and clarified PRIOR to the conclusion of the Captains meeting.  At the conclusion of the Captains meeting; it’s is understood that the written rules and posted scale times become the OFFICIAL and accepted rules governing the tournament.  
**CAPTAINS MEETING TO BE HELD AT WINGITZ ON ROUTE 1, HAMPTON NH ON JULY 26th 2Pm. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH VESSEL MUST ATTEND**


Registration
 All participating vessels must be registered to fish in the “GRANITE STATE TUNA PRO OPEN”, hereinafter referred to as “Tournament”, and must fill out a complete entry packet, damage waiver, and release for each participant.  All participants/anglers will be required to fill out  a media release form.  Captains may deliver signed waivers with packets at the Captains meeting.

 A representative from each registered vessel must report in person and sign in at the Captains Meeting.  All participants/anglers are welcome and encouraged to attend the Captains meeting and dinner.  All fees/registrations and additional entries/calcuttas must be paid in full by the conclusion of the Captains meeting.

Any vessel that is not registered and/or has not completed a full entry packet and paid in full prior to the conclusion of the Captains meeting will not considered as a participant and will not be eligible to claim prize(s). 


General Compliance


Tournament participants are responsible for obtaining and becoming familiar with tournament rules and all applicable State and Federal laws, rules and regulations.


SPECIES. The only species eligible for tournament is ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA ( Thunnus Thynnus) 


All Tournament participants are expected to be in full legal compliance with NOAA/ National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regulations and must possess any and all state and federal licenses and permits required by these agencies.*


All entrants should be properly licensed to fish in the Atlantic Tunas General Category or HMS Charter/Headboat Category with commercial endorsement under NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regulations and should meet all U.S. Coast Guard requirements.*




** Tournament Commitee will not be performing compliance checks and will not be responsible for any violations or fines imposed for non compliance.  Non Compliance Shall NOT be grounds for filing a protest by another vessel. **


Boundaries

There are no limitations on fishing area or boundaries; except that tournament participants must fish in a location that affords vessel to deliver fish to Yankee Fisherman’s CoOp during posted open scale times.  All fish MUST of the species specified and be delivered by the tournament registered vessel.  

Weather

There is no weather committee. The decision to fish is that of the captains and participants, and is solely at their own discretion and risk. 


Fishing Days/Hours

Fishing may commence (lines in) Sunday July 27th q, at 12:01 a.m. and will remain open on anticipated RFDs  per current NOAA/NMFS regulations at the time the tournament is taking place.  Only ONE fish per open fishing day will be weighed for the HEAVIEST FISH OVERALL category.   Should NOAA/NMFS allow multiple fish during the tournament the following rules will also be in place. (If NO RFDS IN PLACE, adjustments will be made to fishing days.)




1a.  Captain will declare which fish is to be weighed for HEAVIEST FISH OVERALL for that day. 
1b.  All fish will still be weighed for total stringer weight.
1c.  Only the first fish designated and weighed will be considered for daily and HEAVIEST OVERALL.


All hookups should be reported or relayed to the Tournament Weighmaster or other boats in the area as soon as possible when the fish is hooked.  It is SUGGESTED that time stamp photos be taken.


Once fish is landed (subdued, tail-roped and is hanging from or lying on the deck) vessel should radio or relay notification to the Tournament Committee, or other boats in the area on the designated tournament channel.


General Category Rules apply with the following exceptions: a) no electric harpoons, b) no aerial reconnaissance allowed; including the use of drones, and c) all tuna are to be hooked, fought and brought to boat side only by manually operated rod and reel (hand line or conventional harpoon prohibited except cockpit harpoon may be used to land fish). Power driven reels or devices of any kind are prohibited, including their use as bait rods.  This includes, but is not limited to motor, hydraulic or electrically driven devices. No Greensticks or Bandit reels.  Fish may be fought from the rod holder or freestanding. 


Fish may be fought by multiple registered anglers. A registered angler is; any angler, Captain or mate listed in the registration packet.


All tuna must measure 73 inches curved fork length (CFL) or greater to be eligible for entry in this category. Please check updated regulations on the NMFS website: https://hmspermits.noaa.gov


Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip (e.g., whether a vessel takes a two-day trip or makes two trips in one day), no more than a single day's daily retention limit may be possessed, retained or landed. For example, under a three-fish retention limit, whether a vessel fishing under the General category limit takes a two-day trip or makes two trips in one day, no more than three fish may be possessed, retained or landed in a single day. (   * See rule 1a for how fish will qualify for weigh in ) 


Weigh-in

Tournament Weighmaster(s) will be announced at the Captains meeting and contact info will be in your Captains Packets.  Scales times will be posted and announced by 7/26/25  *Vessels MUST radio or phone anticipated arrival time regardless of manned or unmanned hours.    (Outside of the manned hours, vessels will need to radio or telephone the weigh master at least 45 minutes prior to expected arrival.  ) 


weighmaster(s);contact information will be provided in your Captains packets and at the Captains meeting.




*To encourage attendance by the general public at the scales, we ask you to post to your own social media pages.  The tournament committee will also be posting and announcing arrival times on our various platforms and social media sites, as well as live feed by SFC.  

All eligible fish must be weighed and certified and must be delivered on the tournament registered vessel upon which it was boated to Yankee Fishermans CoOp tournament scale.  Per NOAA/NMFS regulations, transfer of fish between vessels is prohibited; additionally Tournament rules PROHIBIT the passing of ANY items to/from ANY vessel.  

In order to be eligible, heads and tails must be left on prior to weighing.

Fish will be weighed by the tail using a tail rope provided by the tournament.

Please do not leave the weigh station until your slip is filled in and signed by weighmaster.

By signing the weight slip, you acknowledge that you have accepted the weight of your fish as final and correct. In the event of a tie, the first fish weighed shall be considered the winning fish. 



Any mutilated fish, or fish to have evidence of any unnatural damage will be disqualified (This does not include gaff and/or harpoon marks, boat scrape, rope/ line marks.)


Any fish found to have had any weight added, or any fish caught or possessed illegally, or any intentional violation will disqualify the vessel from the tournament. 

Once released by the Weighmaster, participants are solely responsible for the disposition of their fish.   

Issues/Conflicts/Protests

In the event of mechanical failure Captain and Crew may request that they fish an alternative boat. Any such changes MUST be approved by the Tournament Rules Committee.


In the event that one or more rule provisions appear to be in conflict, the most restrictive rule applies and is to be determined by the Tournament Rules Committee. 

All landed fish and innards are subject to examination by the Tournament Rules Committee and/or Weighmaster as well as any authorized governmental entity.  

The Tournament Rules Committee has final and sole authority to resolve questions and/or issues that arise. All committee decisions are final. Protests must be in writing and submitted by the Captain of a tournament registered vessel.  Protests shall be called to the attention of the Rules Committee by contacting the telephone numbers provided, or in person upon arrival at the dock. Grievances and protests should not be discussed with any other vessel or participant until a decision has been rendered.  Protests must be written in detail, should state the violation, the date, time, and location of the alleged violation.  Video and photographs should accompany the protest if available.

Closure

In the unlikely event; if at any time during the Tournament, NOAA/NMFS declares that the quota is filled and fishing must cease, the tournament will be concluded and awards presented based on current weighed fish; at the awards banquet on Friday August 1st.  Should NOAA/NMFS declare a closure that interferes with the posted dates of the tournament, the tournament committee, shall, at its discretion, postpone dates to future dates, or make suitable concessions. In the event of an early conclusion, with no fish weighed, the tournament committee shall, at its discretion make alternate suitable concessions.  In the event that market conditions discourage dealers from purchasing fish but the fishery remains open, the tournament will continue as slated. 


Awards 

Prize distribution will be based on total entry and awarded 1st through 3rd place for LARGEST FISH BY WEIGHT.  Additional categories and awards will be added and posted.  All monetary prizes shall be paid to the Captain or designee by check from “Granite State Tuna Pro Open” or “Yankee Fisherman’s CoOp” 


Tournament Director ……..TBA
Weigh Master(s)………TBA
Tournament Comittee members
………….TBA
………….TBA
………….TBA