FCA Tournament Partner
Partner with the FCA
Fish Certification Authority partners with fishing tournaments to help recognize outstanding catches and celebrate angler achievement beyond tournament standings.
Whether you organize a local derby, a multi-day competitive event, or a large-scale tournament, FCA can provide participants with an additional way to have a memorable catch recognized. Through an FCA partnership, qualifying catches may be eligible for independent certification.
Partnerships are tailored to each event. FCA will work with organizers to confirm eligible species, waters, event dates, participation details, and any applicable arrangements before the tournament begins.
Give a qualifying catch recognition beyond the leaderboard.
A trophy-sized fish is an achievement wherever an angler finishes in the standings. The FCA Tournament Partner Program helps organizers give participants an opportunity to submit qualifying catches for free digital certification through the Fish Certification Authority. Introduce FCA before your event so anglers know which catches may qualify and how to document them.
Become a Tournament Partner
(1) Additional recognition for your anglers
(2) Participants whose catches meet FCA requirements can submit them for independent review. Approved catches receive a downloadable digital certificate, a unique certification ID, and a QR-linked public verification page.
(3) An angler does not need to win the tournament to qualify. Certification depends on the individual catch and its supporting evidence.
What FCA provides
Participating tournaments receive:
(1) An FCA partner logo for approved event materials.
(2) An event listing on the FCA website.
(3) A submission QR code and link for participants.
(4) Trophy-standard and measurement information.
(5) A measurement and photograph checklist.
(6) A co-branded promotional graphic.
(7) Suggested wording for registration emails, social posts, and participant briefings.
(8) Opportunities for event and approved-catch promotion through FCA’s communications.
Promotional activities are agreed with the organizer in advance.
How the partnership works
Tell us about your tournament
Provide your event date, location, target species, and tournament format. Contact FCA early enough to prepare materials and inform participants before they fish.
Coordinate the evidence requirements
(1) We will help identify the relevant FCA standards and discuss how participants can capture the required evidence during your event.
(2) Tournament scoring and FCA certification may use different requirements. A weigh-in result, leaderboard entry, or tournament photograph does not automatically provide everything needed for certification.
Share the instructions before the event
Include the FCA link, QR code, and measurement checklist in registration information and participant communications. Remind anglers to prepare a suitable measuring device and retain their original photographs.
Direct participants to submit their catches
Participants submit through their own FCA accounts. FCA reviews the catch information and photographs before issuing certification.
Your tournament retains its own rules
FCA certification operates separately from tournament administration. Organizers remain responsible for event rules, scoring, eligibility, results, and prizes.
FCA determines whether individual catches meet its certification requirements. Partnership does not guarantee approval, alter tournament standings, or constitute an endorsement of event results.
Frequently asked questions
(1) Do anglers need to win a prize to apply?
No. Any participant with a qualifying catch and the required evidence can submit it for FCA review.
(2) Is digital certification free?
Yes. Digital certification is free for qualifying catches approved by FCA.
(3) Can a catch from a weight-based tournament qualify?
It may qualify, but participants must document the catch according to the applicable FCA standard. A recorded tournament weight may not satisfy a length-based certification requirement.
(4) Can we send FCA the tournament results instead of individual submissions?
Results can provide useful context, but they do not replace the required catch evidence and angler declarations. Individual submissions are the standard process. Contact FCA before planning a coordinated submission arrangement.
(5) Will certificates be available at the awards ceremony?
Certification follows FCA’s review process. Do not promise same-day certificates unless a specific arrangement has been confirmed with FCA.
(6) Can an event outside Canada participate?
Contact FCA with the location and target species. Certification availability depends on the standards and submission coverage active for that jurisdiction.
Make FCA part of your next tournament
(1) Give participants the information they need to document a trophy catch before the opportunity passes.
(2) Send us your event details to discuss an FCA tournament partnership.
(3) Become a Tournament Partner
Let’s Talk About Your Partnership
Tell us a little about your business or event, and we’ll contact you to discuss how the program could fit.
Prefer email? Contact info@fishcertificationauthority.com.