isnt it all illegal?

[Pullmyfinger]

Spearfishing is THE most selective ways to gather food. No bycatch. Spearo creed "spear what you eat, and eat what you spear". I live and work (as a diver) in the USVI and there is some great food here in the sea. Respect your local laws and regulations as well as the environment and we can all get along.
I think i hear a lobster callin my name, bye.

The fish tastes better when you spear them.
-Mitch

 

[TMHeimer]

I have always said that. You put a fishtrap down, or a net out, and you drag up all kinds of collateral damage (undersized fish, inedible species, pregnant lobsters). Go down with a speargun or a snare and selectively catch what you know you can eat, and what is legal game.

But for some reason fishermen are 'good guys' and people with hunt by actually going underwater are the enemies of the conservationists.

I've always agreed 100% with that. But I guess a lot of divers today have odd, set ideas about what's good/bad for the environment.

 

[RobArmsXCR]

anyone know the laws concerning spear fishing in rivers

 

[njdiver1]

anyone know the laws concerning spear fishing in rivers

Check out this thread:

Worldwide Spearing Regulations Websites - Spearboard Spearfishing Community

 

[cmburch]

Fishing in New Hampshire - N.H. Fish and Game

search spear
call or e-mail for specific local.

 

[drbill]

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.

Well, of course here in America the key phrase is laissez faire... and look what it has brought to our economy and much of our land and waters!

Although I no longer hunt or fish, I would not support complete closures on such activities. Given the way our economy has gone, I may have to resume doing them to feed myself.

 

[teamoctopus]

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

In France, it is illegal to take any marine life while you are on Scuba, however, you can free dive and shoot with a spear gun, grab lobsters, anything you want (as long as you aren't in a marine park). Some species are protected, like Turtles, but there aren't many. People do still hunt on scuba, especially for lobsters, legal or not legal.

I also know that in the Bahamas it was illegal to bring anything up on Scuba as well, so if they found fish on your boat and dive equipment, you would be in big trouble.

 

[Team JBL]

Quite frankly... Its harder to shoot a large fish on scuba than freediving. On scuba... The fish hear you coming.

Here's the trick though - if you think shooting a fish freediving is "easy", try shooting a large fish at 80-100 feet freediving and then get back to me on how easy it was.

 

[Team JBL]

Although I no longer hunt or fish, I would not support complete closures on such activities. Given the way our economy has gone, I may have to resume doing them to feed myself.

Bill, didn't you support external C and then Map 3 in the socal MLPA process?