MEL RAMIREZ FISHING TOURNAMENT MECHANICS

Mel Ramirez’ Inaugural Fishing Tournament

June 6, 2026 | Ang Pulo, Calatagan, Batangas

🧭 I. TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

The Mel Ramirez’ Inaugural Fishing Tournament is a privately organized and self-funded community fishing event that promotes responsible fishing, maritime safety, environmental stewardship, sportsmanship, and community unity among the fishing communities of Calatagan, Batangas. This tournament seeks to honor the rich fishing traditions and cultural heritage of local fishermen while encouraging safe, disciplined, and environmentally conscious fishing practices. The event also supports the protection of marine ecosystems, mangrove areas, and marine protected zones through responsible and sustainable fishing advocacy.

📋 II. ELIGIBILITY

  1. The tournament is open only to:
    • Registered fishermen residing in Calatagan, Batangas
    • Participants between 40–60 years old
    • Fishermen operating properly registered boats
  2. All participants must:
    • Complete the official registration process
    • Submit all required documents
    • Attend the mandatory participants’ meeting
  3. Failure to comply with registration requirements may result in disqualification.

📄 III. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Each participant must submit and/or present the following: ✅ Valid government-issued ID ✅ Boat Registration Documents ✅ Completed Tournament Registration Form ✅ Proof of payment (if applicable)

💰 IV. REGISTRATION FEE

💵 Registration Fee: Php 50.00 per participant Registration fees must be settled during the mandatory meeting or designated registration schedule.

⚓ V. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

  1. All participating boats must:
    • Be properly registered
    • Be seaworthy and safe for operation
    • Carry required safety equipment
  2. All participants must:
    • Wear or carry life vests while at sea
    • Follow all instructions from event officials and safety agencies
  3. The tournament shall operate in coordination with:
⚓ Philippine Coast Guard 🚔 Philippine National Police (PNP) 🚨 Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) 🔥 Bureau of Fire Protection – Calatagan 🏛 Barangay Quilitisan 🎣 Samahan ng Mangingisda 🛡 Community Anti-Crime Group of Calatagan (CAGS) 🌿 Ang Pulo Palitakan Organization 🏖 Calatagan Tourism Office 🤝 Community volunteers and partners

🚤 VI. OFFICIAL EVENT SCHEDULE

ACTIVITY TIME
Participant Assembly & Check-In 4:00 AM
Boat Inspection & Verification 4:15 AM
ICS & Operations Team Arrival / Reporting Time 4:30 AM
Final Safety Briefing 5:00 AM
Deployment to Starting Area 5:30 AM
Official Tournament Start 6:00 AM
Official End of Fishing Period 12:00 NOON
Boat Recall & Return to Shore 12:00 NOON
Official Weigh-In Begins 12:30 PM
Awarding Ceremony Following Tabulation

🎣 VII. FISHING RULES

  1. The tournament promotes traditional methods of catching fish that reflect the fishing heritage, culture, and practices of the local fishing communities of Calatagan.
  2. Traditional fishing methods are permitted during the tournament, including but not limited to:
    • Rod and reel
    • Hand line fishing
    • Other recognized traditional non-commercial fishing methods approved by tournament officials
  3. The use of illegal, commercial, or destructive fishing methods is strictly prohibited, including but not limited to:
    • Dynamite fishing
    • Compressor fishing
    • Electric fishing devices
    • Poison or chemical fishing methods
    • Commercial-scale fishing equipment prohibited by tournament officials
  4. Fishing must remain within designated tournament boundaries at all times.
  5. Participants are prohibited from entering marine protected or restricted areas.
  6. Participants must comply with all maritime safety, environmental, and tournament regulations.
  7. Throwing trash or waste materials into the sea or shoreline is strictly prohibited.
  8. Unsportsmanlike conduct, unsafe behavior, or failure to follow instructions from tournament officials may result in disqualification.
  9. Tournament officials reserve the right to inspect boats, fishing equipment, and catches at any time during the event.
  10. The tournament supports responsible, sustainable, and environmentally conscious fishing practices that protect marine ecosystems and preserve local fishing traditions for future generations.

🌊 VIII. FISHING BOUNDARIES

  1. Official fishing boundaries shall be identified through:
    • Buoy flags
    • Bantay Dagat patrol guidance
    • Official tournament briefing
  2. Fishing outside designated areas is grounds for disqualification.
  3. Participants must strictly follow patrol instructions and maritime safety zones.

🚨 IX. WEATHER & SAFETY MONITORING

  1. Weather and sea conditions shall be continuously monitored before and during the tournament.
  2. The organizing committee reserves the right to:
    • Delay the tournament
    • Suspend fishing activities
    • Recall participating boats
    • Cancel or postpone the event
  3. Official weather advisories and safety instructions must be followed immediately.

📡 X. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

  1. All emergencies must immediately be reported to:
    • Bantay Dagat
    • Safety Officer
    • Unified Command Center
  2. At-sea emergency protocols shall be activated for:
    • Boat breakdowns
    • Medical emergencies
    • Sudden weather disturbances
    • Missing participants
    • Maritime incidents
  3. Participants must cooperate fully during emergency response operations.

🚤 XI. BOAT RECALL PROCEDURE

At the official end of the fishing period or during emergency suspension:

🚨 OFFICIAL RECALL SIGNALS:

  • Three (3) long horn blasts
  • Megaphone announcement
  • Radio / mobile communication
  • Bantay Dagat patrol notification
Participants must: ✅ Stop fishing immediately ✅ Return safely to shore ✅ Follow designated return routes ✅ Await further instructions from officials

⚖️ XII. WEIGH-IN RULES

  1. Official weigh-in begins at 12:30 PM.
  2. All catch entries must be submitted within the official weigh-in period.
  3. Only official weigh-in personnel may operate weighing equipment.
  4. Fish submitted after official cut-off may not be accepted.
  5. Tournament officials reserve the right to inspect catches for compliance.

🏆 XIII. WINNING CRITERIA

Winners shall be determined based on: 🎣 Heaviest qualified catch 🎣 Compliance with tournament rules 🎣 Sportsmanship and fair play The decision of the judges and weigh-in committee shall be final.

🚫 XIV. GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION

Participants may be disqualified for: ❌ Fishing outside official boundaries ❌ Use of illegal or prohibited fishing methods ❌ Failure to follow safety instructions ❌ Unsportsmanlike conduct ❌ Failure to attend mandatory meeting ❌ Submission of false information or documents ❌ Violations of environmental protection rules ❌ Non-compliance with emergency procedures

🌿 XV. ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

The tournament strongly supports: 🌊 Protection of marine protected areas 🌿 Preservation of mangroves and marine ecosystems 🎣 Responsible and sustainable fishing ♻ Proper waste disposal and environmental stewardship Participants are encouraged to actively help protect the coastal environment and maintain cleanliness throughout the event.

📢 XVI. AUTHORITY OF THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

The organizing committee reserves the right to:
  • Interpret and enforce all tournament rules
  • Adjust schedules due to operational or safety concerns
  • Suspend or cancel the event if conditions become unsafe
  • Resolve disputes and issue final decisions
All official decisions of the organizing committee shall be final.

🌅 XVII. OFFICIAL REMINDER

“This tournament is not only a competition, but a celebration of responsible fishing, safety, sportsmanship, environmental stewardship, and community unity.”