Hippy divers

[Skydiver1]

How does the whole ethos of spearfishing, shell collecting, etc reoncile with the ethos of the scuba diver being a conservationist who is only there to observe the underwater natural environment.

Ive never been spearfishing, and maybe I'm missing something such as it only involving hunting pest species, etc. Is spearfishing etc frowned upon, or how is it justified?

 

[Jax]

How does the whole ethos of spearfishing, shell collecting, etc reoncile with the ethos of the scuba diver being a conservationist who is only there to observe the underwater natural environment.

There is an error in your premise, that "spearfishing, shell collecting, etc" has to reconcile with "only there to observe".

Just as hunters are also ardent conservationists, so can the shell collectors and spear-fishers be ardent conservationists. A true conservationist wants to see all needs met while maintaining a sustainable environment. Sometimes, we all have to give a little.

Or is the latter version of divers not interfering with fish life just a suggestion which can not apply to all.

Have you considered how heavily you rely on absolutes? There is no absolute in life. There are some that believe no one, not one, should ever put a finger on a reef, and seem to wish we are encased in observation capsules. Others tromp, kick, poke, etc. as if the reef were not a delicate infrastructure.

Ive never been spearfishing, and maybe I'm missing something such as it only involving hunting pest species, etc.

People who spear fish are generally catching dinner. The one person catching their dinner do not make the impact on the environment as do the huge fishing ships that wipe out a school of skip jack in a single session. Hunters / fishers are the strongest advocates for sensible taking of wildlife, ensuring the takes and puts are in balance. After all, over-hunting / -fishing affects them, too.

(Flak jacket in place for barrage of accusations of trolling, being a $hit diver, etc )

You're learning. Perhaps you might want to ask some of these fine SB'ers if you can tag along on a hunting trip.

 

[DennisS]

What does being a hippie have to do with spearfishing, back in the 60-70's I knew hippies who fished, lobstered and BBQ'd steaks. Are there still hippies?

What the heck is ethos of scuba diving

Today's hunters are some of the most avid conservationists you will find.

The first scuba divers were into spearfishing, some of those early tournaments were slaughters. Today it's pretty much, eat what you shoot.

I'm sure there are people that frown on it, there are people that take great enjoyment on frowning on everything from fried food. to leather, to automobiles. There are even people that frown on cave diving and want to make it illegal.

 

[Rhone Man]

I am a hunter and a conservationist. I think making sure that we harvest foods in a sustainable way is everyone's responsibility.

Divers who go down and selectively catch their food are much more conservation minded that those who trawl nets, drag hooks or leave traps; killing or injuring whatever happens upon their bait.

Although just to be clear, there are plenty of hunting divers who are not remotely conservation minded. As in all walks of life there are bad apples. I wish it wasn't so, but that is just life.

 

[Paladin]

Being a "conservationist" does not mean that you don't hunt or fish or collect shells, etc. Most deer hunters, bear hunters, small game hunters, etc. are conservationists. The conservationist mindset is where one takes from the environment moderately, with thought toward managing resources carefully. A shell collector who collects only the shells of dead animals or the shells of a limited number of non-endangered species is acting in a manner which conserves his desired resource. A spearfisherman who kills only what he and his family will eat, is hunting in a conservative manner.

Wildlife conservationists do not try to ban the harvesting of a wildlife resource. On the contrary, hunting is an important element of conservation. Without it, a species numbers will increase to the point that the environment can no longer support the population. Moderate, controlled harvesting of a resource not only helps insure the continued survival of a species, but helps weed out the weaker individuals of that species.

Justification for spearfishing? You shoot a fish, take it up, cook it and eat it. There is your justification!

As far as I know, spearfishing is only frowned upon by the free hugger types and not many people pay much attention to them, anyway.

 

[Jax]

What the heck is ethos of scuba diving?

Ethos is a Greek word meaning "character" that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology.

I suspect the OP is trying to reconcile something from his training that says, "thou shalt not harm the environment" with those that hunt and collect.

Skydiver?

 

[FuzzyNutz]

Becomming a certified diver doesn't mean we automatically signed up for Greenpeace and the like. I for one, am fine with people spearfishing - it's not much different than fishing from a boat. I like the notion of skin diving to spear rather than using SCUBA, but I still have nothing against using SCUBA to get your fish. Spearfisherman are not eradicating entire species and completely destroying reefs. It's the big commerical giants that are doing the harm by dragging nets and cages over reefs.

That said, I have never spearfished, but am looking forward to spearing lionfish in Cozumel next week. I also kind of wish I bought a bigger spear... I wouldn't mind bagging me a nice dinner! I've also stopped eating octopus since becomming a diver. Nothing against people who do, it's just that I LOVE seeing octopus underwater - they're one of my favorites to see, so I have a hard time eating them now. Same with cuddlefish and flounder. I do however, LOVE eating crabs, shrimp, tuna, salmon, and lobster (real lobster - the ones with claws from the northeast). Although I was at a presnetation about shark conservation and research not too long ago, and the researcher said if there's one thing he will absolutely not eat anymore, is shrimp, because of how the harvesting of them just absolutely destroys the underwater world - so I will try to eat only farm raised shrimp from now on... but if I'm hungry and in the mood... no promises, yet.

I am a human, therefore I am a carnivore by nature.

 

[Rhone Man]

I think PADI came up with the "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but bubbles" slogan.

But if you want fish or lobster for dinner, it has to get killed somewhere. If you do it yourself at least you know there is no other collateral damage to the environment.

EDIT: This old poll I started about a year ago may be of interest: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/360369-views-underwater-hunting.html

 

[EastEndDiver]

Can this thread be moved to "whine and Cheese" so we can really say what we want??

 

[Jax]

Can this thread be moved to "whine and Cheese" so we can really say what we want??

Didn't your mom ever tell you, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all?"

Of course, that does rule not out snickering . . .