Black Sea Bass Speared? Your Opinion?

[ICY ICE]

slightly off topic, but just wondering where in the dive park you can find these guys? at what depth?

Nowhere specific, just above the thermocline.......warmer waters.

I saw one by the JC memorial a few weeks ago........35' depth.

 

[drbill]

Bill,

Those definitely do NOT look like any spear marks that I have ever seen. I understand your logic in this post, but I fear that it may leave the impression that spearfishermen simply shoot whatever they see, regardless of whether or not it is legal. I have many friends that are avid (and some even commercial) spearfishermen, and I can assure you that they are quite selective in what they shoot at.

Best regards,

Scott

Scott- Agree that there are many very responsible spear fishers out there. I used to be one myself. However we also get a lot of young kids who take slings and spear guns into the waters of Avalon (where they are mostly illegal) and will shoot at anything.

I tried to clarify that distinction in my post. I know several avid spear fishers (males and females) including a few of my dive buddies. They would not knowingly do something like this. However one admitted that he will follow any movement with his gun and an accident could happen with an itchy trigger finger!

By the way, one of my spear fishing buddies once shot me in the thumb!

 

[PhotoTJ]

Ouch!

At any rate, I don't think those marks would be consistant with spear wounds. I BSB's I saw at Sana Cruz had some wounds, some looked similar to those shown, but I just don't see how even a horrible shot would miss a slow, curious target. It would be like shooting a tame cow.

 

[Snowbear]

Those scars are consistant with the scars we often see on salmon or trout that have been snagged by hooks that ripped loose....

 

[ScottZeagle]

I would lean toward the "feeding behavior" thought.

Hey Bill - did your thumb look anything like a WSB at the time?

 

[drbill]

PhotoTJ- You're right, it would be hard to miss the fish. However someone with a sling or gun who aimed at the head might find the spear bounced off due to the thick skull.

Snowbear- Interesting idea on the hook scar possibility. There certainly are boat based fishers who have caught them (most accidentally, but the word is out that some are actually targeting the ones at Italian Gardens and using heavy tackle).

Scott- I'm not sure what my thumb looked like to him, but it was a good thing it was just a glancing blow! Of course it was an accident on his part. At least that's what I'd like to believe!

 

[CA Diver]

Only slightly off topic but did anyone see this today? I think they got off light and hope they get caught buying scuba gear so the judge puts them in jail!

California scuba divers plead guilty to killing giant sea bass

Edited at CA Diver's request to replace story with a link-Netdoc

 

[drbill]

CA Diver- Probably not a good idea to put copyrighted material here, but it certainly is an article that should be read by divers. I'm apalled at the light sentencing these guys got. My understanding is that it was a second offense for at least one of them. In my mind, jail time was necessary in this egregious (not to be confused with Egregia, feather boa kelp!) offense. I plan to write the Commissioner involved since I feel the light punishment sends the wrong message.

 

[drbill]

Really think we need to get a letter writing campaign going on this one. I'm sure John Moore of the San Diego Dive Bums web site could help us.

 

[slingshot]

I'll sign.

I've been hoping for years to see the recovery of the sea bass. One dimwit (extensive self-imposed editing here) can do so much damage.