Lionfish without a speargun or pole spear?

[MB NZ]

I'm returning to Cyprus in a few months. I like the idea of catching lionfish for dinner (and saving the environment of course!). Spearfishing and pole spearing is not allowed on SCUBA in Cyprus and my freediving isn't good enough, so wondering how to catch these critters safely. They could be caught in a hand held net I think, but then what? Any thoughts?

 

[Johnoly]

... spearing is not allowed on SCUBA in Cyprus

From friends that hunt in Cyprus,,, It's not just the word " Spearfishing". It is also the word " harvest " that is not allowed. So that include all types of harvest gear, even creative gear like underwater baited hook and line that is laid on the sea bed. You can't 'harvest' underwater on scuba, unless you are a resident and have been granted a special permit from DFMR

Harvest doesn't mean you can use a net on scuba either. If you have it in your 'possession' then it's a 'harvest'. A special permit, under strict supervision, for scuba lionfish spearing is granted by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research for this purpose, since this kind of fishery is forbidden by law across the EU.

 

[MB NZ]

I see, that may be the end of that then. Thanks for the info.