Rules

All participants must adhere to safe diving practices and exercise caution during the event. No fish is worth your life!
This is an Honor System Roundup. The team captain is responsible for ensuring that all team members comply with the roundup rules and participate honorably.
All participants must follow all state and federal fishing and diving laws during the event.
All vessels or divers must display the appropriate diver-down flag in accordance with local laws.
Protective gloves should be worn when handling lionfish. Participants are encouraged to carry a safety kit for first aid purposes.
All participants must sign the FWC Harvest Acknowledgement Form at weigh-in to be eligible for prizes.

Non-refundable registration fees are $60 per person. After May 29, the fee increases to $80.
Fees must be paid in full before the close of the Captain’s Meeting to be eligible for prizes.
Teams must consist of 2 to 4 divers.
All team members must be declared at registration— no substitutions after registration.
At least one team member must attend the Captain’s Meeting in person to check in and confirm that all team waivers have been submitted.
Any participant who has not signed the Legal Waiver Form and Lionfish Understanding of Risk Form will not be considered entered in the roundup, even if registration fees were paid.
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Tournament hours: 6:30 AM – 4:00 PM on June 28, 2025.
Fish caught outside of this timeframe will not be eligible for weigh-in.
All fish must be harvested during the official tournament dates and times.
Weigh-in location: Michael B. Scanlon Mayport Boat Ramp - 4870 Ocean St, Jacksonville, FL 32233.
Weigh-in deadline: Teams must be in line by 4:00 PM on June 28, 2025, with all fish.
The scales will close after the last team in line at 4:00 PM has had their catches counted. The Roundup Director has final discretion.

Allowed harvesting methods:
1. Spear
2. Hand net
3. Slurp gun
4. Hook and line
Prohibited harvesting methods:
1. No chemicals, traps, or other collecting mechanisms.
Handling requirements:
1. All fish must be intact with head and fins attached until after weigh-in.
2. All fish must be kept cold but not frozen — frozen fish will not be accepted.
3. Any fish that will be measured for individual awards (largest, smallest) must be in a separate container from the rest of the fish. A plastic container is preferred.
Divers using rebreathers are permitted to spear and remove lionfish.

Prizes will be awarded for:
1. Most Lionfish (Team Prize) – Based on total count (whole fish).
  1. Prize: $1,000 (awarded to the team captain).
2. Largest Lionfish (Individual Prize) – Measured by length.
  1. Prize: $250
3. Smallest Lionfish (Individual Prize) – Measured by length.
  1. Prize: $250
Prize money will be delivered via check to the winning team captain (must complete a W9 form to receive payment).

Fishing licenses:
1. A recreational fishing license is required for any species harvested except lionfish caught with a pole spear, Hawaiian sling, handheld net, or other lionfish-specific spearing device.
2. A recreational fishing license is required for hook-and-line lionfish harvest.
3. A Saltwater Products License is required for the commercial sale of lionfish.
Spear use restrictions:
1. Spears may not be used:
  1. Within 100 yards of a public swimming beach, public fishing pier, or bridge with public fishing access.
  2. Within 100 feet of a jetty above water—except for the last 500 yards of a jetty that extends more than 1,500 yards from shore.
  3. In any body of water under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks (Florida Park Service).
    1. Possession of spearfishing equipment is prohibited in these areas unless it is unloaded and properly stored while in transit.
    2. This includes all Florida state parks, aquatic preserves, and wildlife management areas where spearfishing is restricted.
2. Hand-held net harvest is allowed in all of these restricted areas.

Any participant found guilty of violating a rule, state, or federal law will be disqualified immediately and banned from future roundups.
Any person violating the rules will:
1. Be expelled from the roundup.
2. Be ineligible for prizes.
3. Forfeit any registration fees paid.
Allegations of rule violations must be submitted in writing to the Roundup Director before the close of the scales.
Participants may appeal a director’s decision in writing within 15 minutes after the scales close.
All decisions made by the Roundup Committee are final and binding.
Rules are subject to change until the Captain’s Meeting.

The Roundup will take place regardless of weather conditions, unless the Roundup Director determines otherwise.
The Roundup Director has sole discretion to reschedule the event if necessary.
The Roundup Committee will make all final decisions on the number and size of lionfish at weigh-in.
All participants agree to allow the use of their names, pictures, and media submitted during the event for marketing purposes. No compensation will be provided for media use.

The importation of live lionfish, breeding lionfish, and the harvest or possession of lionfish eggs and larvae for any purpose other than destruction is prohibited.
Lionfish caught in state or federal waters off Florida may be landed and sold live in the aquarium trade, provided proper documentation is available.
If you have a lionfish you can no longer care for, call the FWC’s nonnative hotline at 888-IVE-GOT-1 for assistance in finding a new home for your pet.

OFFICIAL 2025 TOURNAMENT RULES