isnt it all illegal?

[gogogadget]

isnt huntin' shootin' and fishin' underwater all illegal etc?

 

[DennisS]

Nope, if you follow the regulations you can do all the hunt'n, fish'n, shoot'n you want

 

[PRL]

In many EU countries it is illegal (poaching) Check your regulations. I think it is illegal in France.

 

[lowviz]

isnt huntin' shootin' and fishin' underwater all illegal etc?

Every year I pay the fine state of New Jersey for an out-of-state shellfish license. I have to do this just so I can get the mussels I hunted down and bagged in international waters off the boat.

Do you mean illegal from a moral, common sense, or a legal standpoint???

 

[billvi]

Most of Europe and many other countries have banned spearfishing with scuba tanks. Lucky for us in the USA that has not happened here (yet).

 

[scoobydrew]

depends on local laws, in the UK you can still do it but some dive boats won't allow you to. I'm in Korea at the moment working as an instructor and it is illegal here but it is rare to see a diver walking in to the water without a speargun.

Try checking with CMAS or someone, perhaps the coastguard

 

[njdiver1]

Every year I pay the fine state of New Jersey for an out-of-state shellfish license. I have to do this just so I can get the mussels I hunted down and bagged in international waters off the boat.

Do you mean illegal from a moral, common sense, or a legal standpoint???

Then you are wasting your money! The license is only for shellfish taken in State waters, within three miles of shore.

 

[njdiver1]

Thry this thread for worlwide regulations:

Worldwide Spearing Regulations Websites - Spearboard Spearfishing Community

 

[lowviz]

Then you are wasting your money! The license is only for shellfish taken in State waters, within three miles of shore.

Yes, indeed. However, there is increased enforcement due to the recent FDA report. I saw my $20 as insurance that I didn't have to explain how I came by this bag of mussels to anyone at the dock.

I just finished looking into this issue and my attitude has changed.

Quoted from the link given:
DEP officials in September said $850,000 in cuts to the shellfish program would limit the agency's policing of closed shellfish beds, a target of poachers who harvest clams and oysters illegally for illicit sale. ( Oversight of New Jersey's shellfish industry lacking, group finds - pressofAtlanticCity.com )

Next year I'll be smiling when I hand over the 20 bucks. -Just doing my responsible part...

 

[Rhone Man]

Laws vary depending upon what part of the world you live in. I always consider it ironic that the Virgin Islands is one continuous archipelago, but in one half (the British half) spearing is completely illegal, as is any form of underwater hunting on scuba. In the other half (the American half) pretty much anything goes.