Scuba Diving & Spearguns ?

[MaxAlegraD]

Hi !

I have just came accross this banner where a dive shop shows a guy with full gear, ready to go diving and FISHING with SPEARGUN ?

In Brazil it is totally forbidden to use a speargun with scuba diving equipment. Even though our IBAMA (sort of ecology agency) does not have the resources to fully put this in practice, it is know by the diving community that we should not hunt down fish while using life support equipment such as air tanks and regulators.

So I would like to know what is the common sense and law applied in other countries ?

[]s

Max

 

[Walter]

Some countries have those laws, others don't. Common sense doesn't enter into such laws. Those restrictions are not sensible. Spearfishing, either free diving or on SCUBA, is the most ecologically sound method of harvesting fish. It is not an easy sport even on SCUBA, in fact, SCUBA can be a handicap when stalking fish. A line fisherman will catch more fish than anyone spearing.

 

[Hobbs]

Hi !
So I would like to know what is the common sense and law applied in other countries ?

[]s

Max

In Sweden its not allowed
In Norway It is allowed.

My personal view o this is

If I buy a fish from the fish store, I am most likely buying a netted fish.
that means that other fishes (crap fish) or under sized fish is killed for nothing. fish that should have lived in the sea beein food for other fishes, or taking care of its natural habitat doing what fishes do.
so for every fish I buy in stores I reccon that atleast 2 or 3 other fishes are cought and died for nothing. and that is a very very conervative estimate

so in the end I would rather hunt my own food and pinpoint what I will eat instead of letting other fish die only to be thrown off the trawler..for nothing... that according to me is a waste of natural resources.

That doesnt meen that I would spear anything that comes into the sights
neiter am I an enviromental freak. but environmental awareness and not wasting resources is for me Common scense .. wich you asked for.
ofcourse rules must apply.. and it must be regulated, but it shure must be more sane than bottom trawling.
example 2-3TONS of fish/creatures are dumped overboard from bottomtrawling for 3-4 schrimps (very big and special, but still schrimps)
there you have insanity.

just my 2 cents..

 

[Don Burke]

Hi !

I have just came accross this banner where a dive shop shows a guy with full gear, ready to go diving and FISHING with SPEARGUN ?

In Brazil it is totally forbidden to use a speargun with scuba diving equipment. Even though our IBAMA (sort of ecology agency) does not have the resources to fully put this in practice, it is know by the diving community that we should not hunt down fish while using life support equipment such as air tanks and regulators.

So I would like to know what is the common sense and law applied in other countries ?

[]s

Max

In the U.S., there are some areas where no fishing at all is allowed. For the most part, spearing is not allowed in fresh water and the rules for spearing in salt water are pretty close to the hook and line rules.

Here in Virginia, spearing Striped Bass or lobster is illegal.
When I was in California, collecting Abalone on SCUBA was illegal.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Spearfishing is prohibitted while on scuba anywhere in Cayman waters. In fact, taking any marine life on scuba is illegal in Cayman. Importing spearguns or speargun parts is also not allowed.

Caymanians may apply for a license to spearfish using only snorkeling equipment. Tourists and expats in residence in Cayman are not eligible for spearfishing licenses.

 

[Snowbear]

Spearfishing is addressed in the DF&G regulations - same rules and limits apply as the usual forms of sport and subsistance fishing with the exception: spearfishing is only allowed if fully submerged.

I like that with spearfishing, whether using SCUBA or freediving, there is no bycatch (mentioned here as "crap fish" that is thrown away) and only the animal that is desired is killed. I'm a land as well as underwater hunter, as such I believe conservation (aka don't be wasteful) and responsible management is a good thing.

 

[Rick Inman]

A spear gun is good, but I prefer dynamite!

Actually, I agree that high volume diving areas may (on an exception basis) need to be protected. But to pass some kind of blanket anti-sport/spear fishing law oven entire regions is moronic and intended only for political reasons and have nothing to do with the fish.
Rant over, thanks...

 

[Snowbear]

Agreed - places where non-spearfishers dive a lot should be left alone. Not necessarilly "protected," but by mutual respect, spearfishers should choose another location.

 

[cdiver2]

Agreed - places where non-spearfishers dive a lot should be left alone. Not necessarilly "protected," but by mutual respect, spearfishers should choose another location.

I also think spear fishing and none spear fishing divers should not be on the same boat.
I was recently on a charter with spear fishermen on and they complained that I was going to be in the water before them and would scare the fish away before they got there. My reply, Im going to take photographs of the fish and if you go first they will be dead. I dont want photos of dead fish.

 

[sbloomer]

In South Africa, the removal (ie harvesting) of any form of marine life with scuba equipment is illegal, including spearfishing. Permits are obtainable for surface supply harvesting of abalone, but obviously this is for the fishing industry and not recreational. The question of scuba and spearos on the same boat here in SA is not an option. The law also states any harvested organism on the same boat (or in the same car) as a scuba-rig, has been deemed to have been caught with said scuba rig, and the owner of said boat (or car) is liable for prosecution. Maybe a bit harsh, but we have a big poaching problem. Also, many of the top scuba sites around where I live are all in marine reserves where spearfishing is not allowed, so you tend not to bump into each other.

But back to spearfishing - I know of not one single spearo who would even consider using scuba simply because of the noise. I do both and generally you see bigger fish without scuba, especially game fish. Also there is an element of challenge to spearing without scuba - much of the challenge is creeping up on a skittish fish, and shooting it within your breathhold limits. The better the breathhold - the more success you're likely to have.

In essence, spearos and scuba divers have different objectives, and most often will not mix.