SAUFF Rules for the application of a national species record 2023.

The purpose of these rules is not to make claiming a record difficult but to have a fair and consistent platform for records to be measured on.

  1. The Applicant must be a paid up SAUFF member.
  2. The applicant must complete and comply with the SAUFF records application form.
  3. The fish weight on the scale will be the recorded weight, there will be NO manipulation and adjustment to a weight for fish that have been gutted beforehand and or frozen.
  4. Fish weighed on a moving platform (on a boat at sea etc.) will not be accepted, the scale must be land based and steady.
  5. Only fish shot in the coastal waters of South Africa will be eligible. SA protectorate islands are excluded.
  6. Fish presented for a record:
    6.1) Free swimming, unhindered and uninjured.
    6.2) At a minimum 1000g.
    6.3) May be shot multiple times by the applicant, with guns loaded by themselves.
    6.4) May be chased by the diver by getting on a boat. (not allowed for a IUSA world record)
  1. The fish must be weighed whole on a CERTIFIED scale. All the details of the scale, operator and location must be made known. The certificate of calibration must be submitted with the application. The weight must be presented at a minimum of 2 decimal places of a Kilogram. The scale should ideally be in 10g or less increments.
  2. Mandatory photos: (All photos submitted may be used as required by SAUFF)
    8.1) Fish on scale, with both the whole fish and weight shown and clearly visible.
    8.2) Fish flat on the ground with a comparable device (eg: Coke can) ideally a full length tape measure.
    8.3) Close up of Head, Body and Fins exposed.
    8.4) Fish and diver.
  1. Some species are very difficult to ID, please send any extra photos you may feel necessary. The following can add a lot of value in fish ID. (Rockcod, Bream, Rubberlip, mullet, baracuda can be very difficult to ID)
    9.1) Picture in the mouth open.
    9.2) Gill Raker Count and Pictures. (amberjack vs tropical and rubberlip species)
    9.3) Dorsal fin; hard and soft spine count.
    9.4) Get pictures of the fish as soon as possible with live colour and or special marks.
    9.5) Accurate Length and height measurements.