Welcome to the NIFCA 2024 Species Challenge!

Whether you are a seasoned angler or new to the sport, participating in a sea angling competition can be a thrilling and rewarding experience.

To ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of the competition, it is essential to have a set of rules in place that all participants must adhere to. These rules not only create a level playing field but also promote good sportsmanship and conservation practices.

1. Eligibility: To participate, you must register online and have received your 2024 Species Challenge registration card. There is no age limit for this competition.
2. Competition Format: The competition end date for the monthly prizes will be the last date of each calendar month in 2024 with the first month starting in February. The competition end date for the annual prize is 31st December 2024. All entries must have been received by midnight on these dates to be included.
3. Species and Size Limits: To protect the marine environment, minimum fish sizes must be adhered to. If a fish is below legal minimum landing size, it must be returned back to the sea. For the monthly prize of highest number of submissions a maximum of 20 fish can be submitted per species.
4. Activity Regulations: Fish must be caught by rod and line from the shore within the Northumberland IFCA district, not from a boat (see map below)
5. Catch Recording: Each catch entry submitted via the QR code or WhatsApp number must have the following details. A 2024 Species Challenge registration card next to the fish, species name (if known), the date caught, fish length (cm), and approximate location caught. The fish must have been caught by the 2024 Species Challenge registration card holder.
6. Sportsmanship and Conduct: Sea angling competitions emphasise good sportsmanship and ethical behaviour. Participants are expected to treat fellow competitors with respect, follow all applicable byelaws, and adhere to safety guidelines. Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification from the competition.
7. Prize Distribution: The annual prize winner will be the person who has accumulated the highest number of points during the duration of the competition. In the event of a draw, a name will be picked out of a hat. For the annual prize one point is given per different species caught (e.g. if you catch two flounder and one cod that will equal two points  – NIFCA would still appreciate the photo of the second flounder but unfortunately it would not be counted as a point in the competition). The monthly prize winner will be the person to accumulate the highest number of points per calendar month based on the number of fish caught rather than the number of different species caught (e.g. if you catch four cod, three whiting and one haddock that will equal eight points for the month).
8. Environmental Considerations: As responsible anglers, it is crucial to protect the environment in which we fish. Please take all litter home or recycle your fishing line via the ANLRS – visit anglers-nlrs.co.uk to find the nearest bin. Please consider catch-and-release best practices.

By adhering to these rules, you can fully enjoy the thrill of the competition while contributing to the sustainable future of sea angling.

The area shown in the black line is the Northumberland IFCA district. The NIFCA district extends from the centre of the River Tyne to the Scottish border, out to 6 nautical miles and to the normal tidal limit of estuaries.