1st Ladies Lion Fish Hunt Rules

Registration
  • Registration is available on the Moxi Diver Apparel Website under the Events Tab (https://moxidiver.com/pages/event-management-page) through an online registration system.
  • All participants are responsible for reading and understanding the tournament rules. Completion of registration shall constitute that the participant has read and fully understands the tournament rules and will abide by them, as well as the decisions of the tournament committee.
  • To qualify for prizes and awards, participants must register, use a Treasure Coast, West Palm Beach local scuba charter 2 tank morning dive, and show proper ID at Fish Tally and be a team of 2 woman.
  • Teams of 2 women are encouraged for SAFETY! More than one team may be present on the same dive charter boat.
  • Sportsmanship and camaraderie are expected from all participants.
  • One team member can hunt, the other can be a spotter, or both team members can hunt on the same boat. Teams of 2 can split onto different boats, but they still need to follow a 2-person dive team. Each participant must declare a team name upon registration. Once registration is closed, teams are locked. Teams may not substitute participants during the tournament for any reason; any substitutions will result in disqualification.
  • Team names must not be offensive in nature. "Offensive" will be determined by the Tournament committee and may require teams to modify their names at any time.
  • Registration will close July 17th at 7:00 pm.
Safety First!!
  • It can’t be said enough: no fish is worth your life.
  • Plan your dive - dive your plan.
  • Check your air consumption often. No decompression dives.
  • Reports of unsafe diving practices shall disqualify the participant. NO EXCEPTIONS!
  • Be mindful of the reef and other marine life. Do not damage the reef in any way.
  • Protective gloves should be worn when handling LionFish. Participants are encouraged to carry a first-aid kit to treat LionFish stings.
ACCEPTABLE FISH
  • Lionfish(Pterois volitans/miles) eligible for entry may only be taken during tournament day. No previously caught or frozen lionfish will be allowed; however, please keep lionfish on ice.
  • All existing federal, state, and local laws must be followed, and all state and federal laws will be strictly enforced.
  • Participants should be aware of all recreational saltwater rules and regulations that may apply in the state of Florida. Learn more at: https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/
  • Lionfish may be taken by spear or spear gun. No chemicals, traps, or other collecting mechanisms are allowed. Please mind the reef and the surrounding environment.
  • All Lionfish must be whole (no missing tail or head). The largest and smallest fish will be determined by the total length of the fish in millimeters, measuring from the tip of the snout to the tips of the tail. If the tail is damaged, the scientifically recognized standard length may be used as determined by the weightmaster.
  • All lionfish must be disposed of properly by the individuals capturing the lionfish. You may cut the tail off for the FWC Reef Rangers Lionfish Challenge after the final submission. For more information on the FWC Reef Rangers Lionfish Challenge: https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lionfish/challenge/
SCORING STATION
  • Lionfish may only be taken during the tournament on July 18th, 2026, from a morning dive. The scoring station will be located at 2500 N. Ocean Ave, Riviera Beach, FL, Riviera Municipal Beach. All LionFish must be present by 4 pm to be counted for the awards ceremonies at 5 pm. 
SCORING STATION PROCEDURES
  • All fish must be present at the scoring station by Saturday, July 18th, 2026, 4:00 pm. 
  • Teams must have lionfish in a cooler and adequately iced.
  • The team designee must deliver the coolers to the designated scoring location and check in with the scoring station staff, who will verify the number of coolers and place tape across the cooler lid indicating the team name and the number of coolers associated with the team.
  • It is required that the team member be present when the fish are being counted and measured by the scouring station staff. If there is a backup at the scoring station, the team captain or designee does not have to stand next to their coolers; they just need to stay close enough that scoring station staff can locate them quickly.
  • Scoring station staff will remove the lionfish from the collar, measure, and record the total length of each fish according to current scientific methods.
  • The scoring staff will record the overall count, minimum, and maximum sizes on the team's scoring sheets.  
  • If there is any discrepancy over measurement or count, the team captain should bring it to the weighmaster immediately while the fish are still at the scoring station table.
  • Decisions of the weighmaster and rules committee are final.
  • Teams are required to separate the fish they believe to be their largest and smallest Lionfish. Separation can include, but is not limited to: a water bottle, or zip-lock bags. These fish should be placed inside the team’s cooler. These fish will be measured before the rest of the team’s fish to expedite measurement and counting and provide a cross-reference for scoring procedures.
TOURNAMENT AWARDS
  • Only one winning entry per team will be allowed in EACH category. In the event of a tie, the winning team or individual will be determined by the earliest check-in of their lionfish at the scoring station.
  • Cash awards will be presented to the team according to the following schedule:
    • Most LionFish
      • 1st: $450
      • 2nd: $300
      • 3rd: $200
    • Biggest LionFish
      • 1st: $300
      • 2nd: $200
    • Smallest LionFish
      • 1st: $250
      • 2nd: $150
PAYMENT OF CASH AWARDS
  • All cash prizes will be awarded in cash.
  • Each team must designate a representative payee to receive payment of all team cash awards.
  • The Tournament accepts no responsibility for the division of any cash awards between team members.
ADHERENCE TO TOURNAMENT RULES AND PROTESTS
  • Lionfish tournaments is an honor system tournament with all registrants being responsible for compliance with the rules.
  • Any violation of these rules resulting in disqualification will result in forfeiture of entry fees, prizes, and cash awards, and at the sole discretion of the tournament officials, will be prohibited from entry in any future tournaments.
  • Poor sportsmanship will result in disqualification from this tournament.
PROMOTIONAL PURPOSE
All entrants agree to allow tournament officials to use participants’ names, awards, and photos for any media and promotional purposes.

ALL DECISIONS OF THE TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS ARE FINAL.