Fishing Competitions
Fishing competitions are held frequently in [name], but the main major ones are held within each of the four seasons, as different wildlife surfaces at each different point in the year.
As the effort to capture creatures like large dragons can't possibly be achieved by one person (normally), teams form to tackle the competition together, splitting the prize money they receive upon winning. There is no current limit on team members for the major competitions (since you can fir so many people on a boat), but teams tend to condense their team sizes to maximize profit for each person yet still have all required roles covered.
By main rules, the team must capture the target with a rod and by hand (no fancy mechanic contraption to capture fish), and points are determined primarily by rarity and size. The winning team is determined by who captures and brings back the fish or creature scoring the most points. The process is run by multiple judges with extensive knowledge of the sport and they come to an agreement on scores together.
Competitor boats are equipped with a magic device that acts as a means of communication and 'video' display, operated by hired witches(?) to display the scene of a contestant's boat for the spectators in the town. There are separate displays for each of the competitors set up around a main area of the town, and typically spectators migrate around to wherever the most action is taking place. Then there's those rabid fans of certain teams that just camp in one place.
Also, the device serves as communication to confirm whether a captured fish is worth more than their previously caught one(s).
The main competition lasts over a span of three days from the start (when they take off into the ocean) to the end (when they are due to return to the harbor). If a ship is late, the team is docked points depending on how long they were delayed.
Fishing Teams
Teams are often comprised to fit these roles (time to ship shit (ba dum chaa)):
Angler: The one who reels the fucker in.
Anchor: Assists the Angler in keeping them grounded (whether physically or by magic) and not be pulled by the hooked creature into the ocean.
Scout: Individuals with excellent underwater vision or life sensory magic are tasked with checking waters for any potential fishing targets, and informs the Angler of any instruction on where to cast, what to avoid, etc.
Buoy: In charge of using magic (or other means) to keep the boat afloat during a bite, as giant catches pull violently and will sink the ship without outside support.
Tech: Makes sure the tools are working as needed, and adjusts the equipment in real time to suit the current situation.
These competitions are extremely dangerous, since teams often venture very far out to capture better creatures, leading to a large delay of help if an emergency arises. Despite this, many contestants participate due to the extremely large monetary prize for the grand prize winner.
In times of merpeople tensions, this danger increases considerably due to sabotage. Merpeople greatly dislike these competitions due to the noise and habitat disturbances, and without some kind of agreement between the nations less people participate due to the heightened risk.
