Spearfishing World Records: Photos simplified

Brad Thornbrough beat the existing World Record for Coral Trout by a sizable margin. All the right pictures were taken, measurements, etc. Why is this fish not a world record? Find out tomorrow…
Get your Pictures straight!
Read between the lines.
Unfortunately, it is perfectly clear what is required to be sent in for each application and the Board does not have the time to sort through and correct your mistakes.

One of the most common mistakes made is that aspiring Record Applicants follow the check off list on the application itself and send it in thinking they have covered all the bases. Here is what is written on the Application:

“Follow this checklist to include all of the following materials as designated in the IUSA rules, or your application will be rejected:

1. A complete set of photos of the fish and measurements.
2. A complete set of photos of the speargun(s), and scales used.
3. A complete description of the hunt.
4. Application Fee in check or money order for $35 U.S. (Non-members), $25 U.S. (Members)”

Looks pretty cut and dry and in a rush you’d think you were done. Not true!
In addition to what is needed on the Application, there are more photos required that you would not know about unless you read more into the RULES.
The Rules lay out cleanly what is required we just tend to overlook what pictures are required because we usually have only the application in hand. Here is the section: APPLICATION from the RULES. This is the complete list of photos required:

“2. Two identical sets of photographs, preferably color, must accompany the application, providing sufficient detail for unequivocal species determination….

a. Photographs showing the full length of the fish, the diver with the fish, the speargun(s) used to make the catch, and the scale used to weigh the fish must accompany each application.

b. In all cases, photographs should be taken of the fish in a hanging position and also lying on a flat surface on its side. The fish should be broadside to the camera and no part of the fish should be obscured. The fins must be fully extended and not obscured by hands or equipment, and the jaw or bill clearly shown. Avoid obscuring the keels of tunas and other keeled species with a tail rope.

c. When photographing a fish lying on its side, the surface beneath the fish should be smooth and a ruler or marked tape placed beside the fish if possible.

d. Photographs from various angles are most helpful.

e. An additional photograph of the fish on the scale with the actual weight visible will help to expedite the application.

f. In-the-water photographs, while not required, are requested if available.”

So in the end here is what you are looking at for photos:
1. 2 copies: Photo of fish hanging from the scale(weight shown), with diver, and all your gear
2. 2 copies: Photo of the measurements of the fish, length(fish on its side) and girth
3. 2 copies: Photo of the back of the scale where the certification is shown
4. 2 copies: Photo in water of fish and diver

If you notice I combined a number of the different requirements so that you only have to submit 4 sets of pictures. With this set of pics you are good to go and along with your certification of the Scale, completed application, description of the hunt and application fee you are ready to submit.

Or are you? As it has come readily apparent. There is more required that is not listed which you will not know about until you have submitted to the board. Whether in the past these requirements were ignored or just assumed to be followed in the good spirit of the sport we may not know.
Tomorrow we will talk about these additional requirements that have been brought up in recent applications. Makes me wonder how many past applications have had to do the same…. Manana…