isnt it all illegal?

[gogogadget]

ha how funny about the virgin islands! god i had no idea, yes im based over in europe and i had presumed that the laws were international... thanks everyone ans i guess, every luck with your spearing of things!

 

[HowardE]

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

 

[LouieLouie]

Laws are by no means international, and not even coherent within the EU. Spearfishing is prohibited for scuba divers in Sweden, while there are no regulations in Norway and Denmark, as long as you stay away from certain protected species - mainly salmon, trout and eel.

 

[cmburch]

Spearfishing on SCUBA versus freedive depends on fish in California. Most California Groundfish are easier on SCUBA due to better chance of locating such as lingcod and perhaps deeper fish such as halibut. Many are not frightened by SCUBA noise, but start at the noise of the gun. King Croaker(White Sea Bass) you will probably not see on SCUBA because of the noise.

 

[trapper9872]

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.

 

[njdiver1]

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...

The only increase NJ has had lately is the hiring of a tenth Conservation Officer due to the threat of closure to the shellfish industry here due to lack of enforcement. The moneys referred to in your quote were pulled by the Governor’s office to balance that year’s budget.

 

[Rhone Man]

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.

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.

 

[FritzCat66]

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

...which is why here in the States and most everywhere I think underwater hunting on rebreathers is a no-no.

I'm no spearhunter (aside from taking out a few lionfish), yet I respect spearos for the same reasons others have mentioned: selective killing and no by-catch.

 

[cmburch]

The state of Florida maybe. Most states do not even mention rebreather in the regs.

What's the difference? Some think it is quieter, so not fair to kill something on a rebreather in the south.

Dead is dead whether by H&L, net, spear, whatever. Just with a spear can be more selective and less nontarget animal deaths.

 

[Hank49]

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

The fish learn. I spent an hour free diving around Rendezvous Caye here in Belize (free dive spearing only by law) and saw some nice size snappers....as they swam away and went into their holes.
I then strapped on scuba gear and was diving with my wife on the same exact spot and the larger snappers were coming right up to my face. Literally within a foot or so.
The bubbles or no bubble isn't what scares them It's what they learn to associate what comes with or without them. Death.
They fear free dive spearos here, not scuba divers.