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Rules, Release, and Indemnity Agreement E-mail
PARTICIPATION: 1. Only members in good standing with the Coastal Conservation Association, or its youth organization, the New Tide, during the contestants’ participation in the Tournament and who register for the Tournament and have paid all fees associated therewith shall be participants in the Tournament. Tournament participants, including youth anglers are eligible to win only one prize per tournament year. In addition, no prizewinner is eligible for entry into the Tournament for one tournament year after winning a prize. 2. Participants and fish must comply with rules and regulations of the State of Louisiana governing the recreational harvest of fish in 2008. 3. Persons who, presently act as commercial fin fishermen (as those terms are defined by applicable Louisiana law or pursuant to any federal law), are not eligible to participate in the Tournament.  4. No employee of the Coastal Conservation Association, member of the Redfish Release Team, the STAR Committee, or members of their immediate family shall be eligible to compete in the tagged redfish division for a prize. 5. Professional fishing guides are not eligible to participate in the Tournament.  The nominal sharing of expenses by participants is not considered operating a boat for compensation. 6. Any participant who has been previously disqualified in any CCA STAR shall be ineligible to participate in this Tournament.DATES/TIME: 7. The Tournament will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2008, and end at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 1, 2008. Only fish caught during this period will be eligible.FISHING METHOD: 8. Fish entered into competition for prizes must have been caught and landed by the participant on conventional rod, hook and line exclusively. While trolling, drifting or still fishing, a rod secured in a rod holder may hook a fish; however, the angler who initially receives the rod from the holder must thereafter continuously fight and land the fish without assistance from any other person. Deckhand or any other angler assistance is limited solely to leadering, gaffing, netting or tail-roping the fish caught by the participating angler. Disabling or in any way subduing a fish before it is landed is prohibited. TOURNAMENT BOUNDARIES: 9. Boundaries are the territorial waters of the State of Louisiana including Louisiana’s common and shared boundary waters with Texas and Mississippi as defined by Louisiana law, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the extension of Louisiana borders seaward 200 miles. (See special rules for speckled trout.) Any fish taken outside Tournament boundaries, from private impoundments or other waters not legally accessible to the general public, will not be eligible for entry.ENTERING FISH: 10. All winning fish (except tagged redfish) shall be determined by weight. Only weights indicated by the digital graduations on the scale will be accepted. Visual fractionalizing of these graduations is not allowed. In the event of a tie, the fish that was weighed-in first shall be declared the winner. If weigh-in times are identical, the participant who registered for the Tournament first shall be declared the winner. All fish entered into competition must have been caught by the participant and must be weighed, or in the case of tagged redfish, presented, at a designated official STAR weigh station, as soon as practicable after landing and in no event more than twenty-four (24)* hours after landing. *Only dorado, cobia, king mackerel, amberjack and mangrove snapper will be allowed seventy-two (72) hours to weigh, after landing. All fish entered shall be weighed only once at a designated official STAR weigh station.  Participants wishing to enter a fish in the Tournament shall complete and sign the official STAR weigh form in advance of weigh-in. The participant shall present his or her proof of identity (driver’s license or identification card). For youth participants, CCA membership card or proof of entry will be accepted. No fish will be weighed or entered without the participant signing the official STAR weigh form. 11. No transfer of fish among Tournament participants shall be allowed. 12. No fish will be weighed-in after 5:00 p.m. on September 1, 2008. 13. No frozen, spoiled, gutted, altered, or mutilated fish will be eligible for entry.PRIZES: 14. Fish eligible to be entered into the Tournament are speckled trout, king mackerel, flounder, mangrove snapper, amber jack, cobia, dorado, largemouth bass and tagged redfish. Minimum entry requirements are 20 pounds for amber jack, 30 pounds for king mackerel, 42 inches for cobia, 24 inches for speckled trout and 14 inches for bass, flounder and mangrove snapper. 15. Participants shall be eligible to win only one prize in this Tournament. If a participant catches and enters a tagged redfish, the participant is not eligible to win any other prize in the Tournament. The STAR Committee shall designate the prize (or its equivalent) in each division.  All decisions of the STAR Committee are final.SPECKLED TROUT RULES: 16. For speckled trout, the Louisiana Coast will be separated into three divisional competition areas.  The West, Central and East, each having its own top two (2) prize fish. The boundaries for the three areas are as follows: West Division: From the Louisiana/Texas border including the common boundary waters of Louisiana/Texas then due south 180 degrees (true) extending seaward 200 miles. To the common boundary of Cameron Parish and Vermilion Parish, then due south 180 degrees (true) extending seaward 200 miles. Central Division: From the common boundary of Cameron Parish and Vermilion Parish then due south 180 degrees (true) extending seaward 200 miles. Then following the western most bank of the Mississippi river (southward) to the eastern most Jefferson Parish line (southward), then due south 180 degrees (true) extending seaward 200 miles. East Division: Following the western most bank of the Mississippi river (southward) to the eastern most Jefferson Parish line  (southward), then due south 180 degrees (true) extending seaward 200 miles to the Louisiana/Mississippi border including the common boundary waters of Louisiana/Mississippi then due south 180 degrees (true) extending seaward 200 miles. 17. Speckled trout must meet a 24-inch minimum for entry in the West, Central and East divisions. Participants landing speckled trout bearing a marine biology research tag, particularly in the Calcasieu Lake estuary, are strongly encouraged to follow the instructions printed on the tag or utilize live weigh and release. 18. Speckled trout must be landed in the zone (West, Central or East) in which they are entered, and indicated on the official STAR weigh form. In the West, Central or East divisions, a speckled trout may only be entered into the time period in which it was caught. The Coastal Fisheries Institute at Louisiana State University is authorized to perform scientific tests to verify location and time of catch. 19. Overall, six prizes are offered in the speckled trout category. The West, Central and East Speckled Trout divisions will each have two winning speckled trout.  The tournament (for the purposes of the speckled trout category only) will be divided into two competition periods: May 24 through July 13, 2008 and July 14 through September 1, 2008.  Prizes will be awarded as follows:  A single prize will be awarded for the heaviest speckled trout weighed in each respective division (West, Central and East) during each competition period.  The heaviest of the six prizewinning speckled trout entered, will be named the Statewide Speckled Trout Champion and receive the designated top prize. The STAR Committee shall designate the prize (or its equivalent) in each division and shall also designate the runner-up in each division. All decisions of the STAR committee are final. BASS RULES: 20. Only bass taken south of US Interstate 10 and US Interstate 12 shall be eligible for competition. Bass must be alive when tendered for weigh at an official STAR weigh station. Live release after weigh is highly encouraged. YOUTH DIVISION RULES: 21. All of the rules, releases and indemnity agreements and eligibility for the STAR apply to the Youth division. In addition, youth anglers are eligible to compete in all categories.  22. To be eligible to fish in the Youth division, angler must be a New Tide member (and must be under 18 years old on May 24, 2008). 23. Fish eligible to be entered into the Youth division are speckled trout and flounder. A youth angler may enter one (1) fish in each division.  24. Size minimums: To be eligible for entry in the Youth division of the STAR, speckled trout and flounder must be 14 inches or greater in length. Each angler is permitted to enter only one fish in each division. 25. Prizes: One prize will be awarded per each Youth division category: Four (4) total to include two (2) east and two (2) west. For purposes of the Youth division, the coast will be divided into regions (West and East) West Division: from the Louisiana/Texas border (including the common boundary waters of Louisiana/Texas as defined by Wildlife and Fisheries and the extension of the Louisiana border seaward 200 miles), to the westernmost bank of the Atchafalaya River extending along the Eugene channel markers to Eugene channel marker #32 then due south 180 degrees (true).  East Division: from the Louisiana/Mississippi border (including the common boundary waters of Louisiana/Mississippi as defined by Wildlife and Fisheries and the extension of the Louisiana border seaward 200 miles), to the westernmost bank of the Atchafalaya River extending east along the Eugene Island channel to channel marker #32 then east of the line drawn seaward 180 degrees south (true) from Eugene Island channel marker #32. Youth Division drawings: The top prize drawings to award the Youth Division Speckled Trout prize boats, and Flounder prize boats, west and east will be held on or before September 26, 2008, at the CCA Louisiana office. PADDLE CRAFT RULES: 26. A paddle craft is defined as a vessel that has no form of power other than that supplied by its occupant. Vessels powered by sail, combustion and electric engines are not eligible. Eligible fish: The combined weight of one speckled trout and one flounder (tendered and weighed together) will be used as the official tournament weight.  REDFISH RULES: 27. Fifty tagged redfish will be released into the coastal waters. The tags placed on the redfish will read 2008CCA/STAR-LA (Tags No. L800 – L899). Only the first ten (10) redfish entered bearing the above described tag numbers will receive a prize. To be eligible, each tagged redfish, with the tag still attached to the fish, must be entered into the Tournament at a designated official STAR weigh station, within 24 hours of being landed.  The date and time of entry must be clearly marked on the official STAR weigh form. Each participant shall be eligible to win only one prize for a tagged redfish. All tagged redfish immediately become the property of CCA. At the tournament’s conclusion, if there are no official winners in the tagged redfish division; the STAR committee will determine the disposition of tagged redfish division prizes.  OTHER RULES: 28. If a participant under 18 years of age wins a prize, his or her legal representative over 18 years of age will receive the prize in his/her behalf. 29. Any person, including minors, entering a prize-winning fish or claiming a prize, must agree to submit to a polygraph examination. Additionally, each person entering the STAR agrees to submit to a polygraph examination. The STAR Committee reserves the right to select polygraphists to administer polygraph examinations. All polygraph examinations required shall be taken at the time, place and by the polygraphists designated by the STAR Committee. Each contestant agrees by his/her signature on the official CCA STAR entry form, to submit to a polygraph examination and abide by its conclusion. All travel expenses are to be paid by entrant.  Failure to submit to or pass the required polygraph examination shall result in disqualification. 30. Any protests must be submitted, in writing, to the CCA/STAR Tournament Director at P.O. Box 373, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0373 by 5:00 p.m. on September 12, 2008. 31. The decision of the STAR Committee, in its sole discretion, shall be final on any and all matters. 32. In the event of litigation between a participant and CCA arising out of any aspect whatsoever of the STAR, the losing party in said litigation shall be bound to pay all attorneys fees, expenses of litigation, court costs and other costs incurred by and relating to the litigation by the winning party in said litigation. 33. All prizes will be conveyed “as is” to the actual winner or guardian after the Tournament has concluded at the STAR Awards Banquet. The STAR Committee may replace or substitute for any advertised prize another prize that the Committee deems, in its sole discretion, to be of comparable value to the original prize.  34. All prizewinners are solely responsible for payment of any applicable taxes, fees and costs associated with the prize. 35. All prizewinners are responsible for processing, registration and tax documentation in a timely fashion at specified sporting goods/marine/automotive dealerships.DISCLAIMER: 36. The entire responsibility for valid member status and correctness of this entry form rests solely on the entrant.RELEASE, HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNITY: 37. IN CONSIDERATION OF BEING ALLOWED TO ENTER THE STAR, EACH PERSON AGREES AND CONTRACTS TO RELEASE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, ITS AGENTS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES, THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR, INCLUDING INDEMNITY FOR ANY NEGLIGENT ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF THE FOREGOING RELEASED AND INDEMNIFIED PARTIES, FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER CONNECTED WITH THE PLANNING, OPERATION OR CONDUCT OF THE TOURNAMENT, AND INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CLAIMS FOR PERSONAL INJURY, WRONGFUL DEATH, SURVIVAL DAMAGES, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR CLAIMS RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THE AWARDING OF PRIZES IN THE TOURNAMENT. THE PARENT OR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY MINOR ENTERING IN, REGISTERING FOR OR FISHING IN THE TOURNAMENT DOES FURTHER CONTRACT AND AGREE FOR THEMSELVES AND ON BEHALF OF SAID MINOR THAT THIS RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING UPON ANY MINOR ENTERING THE TOURNAMENT. WINNERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO EXECUTE AN ADDITIONAL RELEASE, INDEMNITY AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT UPON RECEIPT OF PRIZE. ANY CONTROVERSY, CLAIM OR DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THE TOURNAMENT SHALL BE SETTLED BY BINDING ARBITRATION CONDUCTED IN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION RULES OF THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION. JUDGMENT ON THE AWARD RENDERED BY THE ARBITRATOR MAY BE ENTERED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW. SHOULD LITIGATION AND/OR ARBITRATION RESULT BETWEEN A PARTICIPANT AND CCA LOUISIANA, IT IS AGREED THAT IF CCA LOUISIANA IS THE PREVAILING PARTY IN SUCH LITIGATION AND/OR ARBITRATION, CCA LOUISIANA SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER REASONABLE ATTORNEYS FEES AND ALL COSTS INCURRED IN THE ARBITRATION AND/OR LITIGATION FROM THE OTHER PARTY TO SAID ARBITRATION AND/OR LITIGATION. 

 

 
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