Kan. Admin. Regs. § 115-7-8

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 49, December 5, 2024

Section 115-7-8 - Weigh-in black bass fishing tournaments using tournament black bass pass

(a) Each individual or organization desiring to conduct a registered and permitted weigh-in black bass fishing tournament that allows the use of the tournament black bass pass shall apply to the secretary on a form provided by the department. These tournaments may be held only within the period beginning September 1 and extending through June 15.

(b) Each application shall contain the following information:

(1) The name, address, and phone number of the individual or the contact member of the organization desiring to conduct the tournament;

(2) the location of the proposed tournament and a copy of the written permission of the facility manager authorizing the tournament location and the date or dates;

(3) the date or dates and the times that the tournament is to be conducted;

(4) a description of the equipment used to conduct weigh-in and release procedures;

(5) a map containing the proposed location of the weigh-in and release sites; and

(6) other relevant information as required by the secretary or the secretary's designee.

(c) Upon approval of the application by the secretary and before the start of the tournament, the individual or organization conducting the tournament shall provide the following items to each registered tournament participant:

(1) A department-provided, waterproof tournament participant card;

(2) a department-provided catch-reporting form;

(3) department-provided tournament guidelines; and

(4) one or more vessel decals or signs that clearly state that each individual in the vessel is participating in a registered and permitted tournament.

(d) Each individual or organization conducting the tournament shall ensure that all of the following minimum requirements are met when conducting weigh-in procedures:

(1) One individual shall provide work crew support for each 10 registered anglers.

(2) One weigh-in tank filled with an electrolyte chemical-water solution and fitted with recirculation and aeration accessories shall be maintained for each 25 registered anglers.

(3) If the water temperature at the tournament location is 75 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler, the water contained in the weigh-in tank shall be maintained at the same temperature as that of the tournament location water.

(4) If the water temperature at the tournament location is warmer than 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the water in the weigh-in tank shall be maintained at a temperature that is between five and 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the tournament location water but shall not exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit at any time.

(5) Not more than four anglers shall be in the weigh-in line at any one time.

(6) Each weigh-in bag containing water from the well of the vessel shall be reinforced, reusable, and capable of holding up to 15 pounds of live fish and two gallons of water.

(7) The weigh-in site shall meet the following requirements:

(A) Be located near the vessel mooring site and the release site, vehicle, or vessel; and

(B) be located at all times under a portable awning, in an event tent, or in the shade.

(e) Each individual or organization conducting the tournament shall ensure that all of the following minimum requirements are met when conducting the release procedures:

(1) The direct release of fish into the tournament location water after the weigh-in shall not be permitted.

(2) If the tournament is conducted with release tubes, vehicles, or vessels, the holding tanks shall contain a onehalf percent noniodized salt solution.

(3) If the tournament is conducted without release tubes, vehicles, or vessels, the fish shall be dipped, for a period of time ranging from 10 seconds to 15 seconds before release, in a three percent noniodized salt solution having the same temperature as that of the water in the weigh-in tank.

(4) The release site shall meet the following conditions:

(A) Be located in water reaching at least three feet in depth with good circulation and a hard bottom; and

(B) be located away from vessel traffic and public-use vessel ramps.

(f) Each registered and permitted tournament participant shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Provide all data related to the participant's tournament catch to the tournament organizer, on a form provided by the department;

(2) place at least one tournament-authorized decal or sign on the participant's vessel used in the tournament;

(3) possess a tournament identification card and tournament black bass pass at all times while participating in the tournament;

(4) ensure that each well in the participant's vessel used in the tournament is properly working and contains an electrolyte chemical-water solution;

(5) be able to cull fish after reaching the daily creel limit; and

(6) ensure that the participant's vessel used in the tournament is cleaned before and after the tournament in compliance with department guidelines regarding the prevention of aquatic nuisance species.

(g) Each individual or organization conducting a black bass fishing tournament shall provide all catch and mortality data for the tournament to the department within 30 days following the conclusion of the tournament, on a department-provided form.

(h) In addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, an individual or organization that fails to comply with the provisions of this regulation shall not be eligible to apply to conduct a registered and permitted black bass fishing tournament for at least one year from the date of noncompliance.

(i) The provisions of paragraph (d)(7)(A) may be waived by the secretary within the period beginning September 1 and extending through June 15 if the proximity proposed to the release site does not pose an inordinate risk to the wildlife resource and all other requirements of this regulation are met.

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 115-7-8

Authorized by K.S.A. 32-807; implementing K.S.A. 32-807 and K.S.A. 2006 Supp. 32-1002; effective Nov. 27, 2006; amended Nov. 16, 2007; amended April 11, 2008.