Thread: Spearfishing

I enjoy all kinds of fishing...especially spearfishing. From what I can gather online, spearfishing is permissable in Grenada if you have a license. Anyone know if it's possible for SGU students to obtain a license to spearfish. If so, do you know any SGU students that spearfish?

It's been awhile since I've been in Grenada and seen the poster describing the marine park and fishing laws, but I believe spear-fishing is only allowed for Grenadian nationals...

You're going to have to check with the police on this one. Don't think the school will even be able to help you out.

Originally Posted by GatorBait

I enjoy all kinds of fishing...especially spearfishing. From what I can gather online, spearfishing is permissable in Grenada if you have a license. Anyone know if it's possible for SGU students to obtain a license to spearfish. If so, do you know any SGU students that spearfish?

Personally - I find spearfishing ruins the reefs. I have seen the Fl Keys ruined and still see places where the spears have hit the coral years later like in the Looe Key park and see places where the fins from the fishing divers have hit the coral. I have also seen fish taken that are not the correct size - species - etc. The movement is to ban spearfishing via the Bonaire marine park model in the islands. This is just my opinion. Generally many islands want you to fish in deep water etc and only natives are allowed to fish.

Originally Posted by jameslynton

Personally - I find spearfishing ruins the reefs. I have seen the Fl Keys ruined and still see places where the spears have hit the coral years later like in the Looe Key park and see places where the fins from the fishing divers have hit the coral. I have also seen fish taken that are not the correct size - species - etc. The movement is to ban spearfishing via the Bonaire marine park model in the islands. This is just my opinion. Generally many islands want you to fish in deep water etc and only natives are allowed to fish.

I'm sure there are irresponsible spearfishermen that damage reefs and do not carefully harvest fish. I personally use a Hawaiin sling, not a spear gun, and am very cautious around live coral. When it comes to activities such as fishing, hunting, and spearfishing, it is usually the avid participants in the activities that are most concerned with the conservation of the habitat in which those activities takes place. Ironically, the majority of those who complain about hunters and fisherman often do very little in the way of actual conservation.

Originally Posted by GatorBait

I'm sure there are irresponsible spearfishermen that damage reefs ... Ironically, the majority of those who complain about hunters and fisherman often do very little in the way of actual conservation.

I have no problem with hunting on wrecks or artificial reefs. Living coral - is becoming rare on many reef systems due to many factors. So I rarely dive close to coral now.
I have to agree "that many who complain do little in the way of actual conservation". The converse is also true many hunters do little in the way of actual conservation also. The best defense for reefs right now is not to be there. In 1999 and 2000 - I began photo research on coral bleaching. In the keys I found the #1 factor to be diver fins hitting the coral. #2 to be water factors from ground water run off. I have heard all sort of nutty theories from diver peeing in their wet suits to UFO's.

I have found tickle sticks in the Keys marine park under coral heads - where the coral was now dead due to being touched. On Bonaire I found where the dive hotels are to be the worst places for reef bleaching - again fin and body hits on the coral.

Good points and intersting observations on the destruction of coral. I was under the impression that environmental factors such as changing temperatures largely responsible for coral reef destruction. I may have understimated the impact of direct human contact...though I've witnessed plenty of divers...even heard of a divemaster/guide...PICKING UP CORAL!! I think we both agree that conservation of the reefs is vitally important. Anyone who has dove a coral reef can appreciate how fascinating they are. Having said all that, I still want to spearfish. Imagine how much I could save on groceries...

Originally Posted by GatorBait

Good points and interesting observations on the destruction of coral. I was under the impression that environmental factors such as changing temperatures largely responsible for coral reef destruction. I may have underestimated the impact of direct human contact...though I've witnessed plenty of divers...even heard of a divemaster/guide...PICKING UP CORAL!! I think we both agree that conservation of the reefs is vitally important. Anyone who has dove a coral reef can appreciate how fascinating they are. Having said all that, I still want to spearfish. Imagine how much I could save on groceries...

Oh Yea - in the advanced NAUI diving book - there is a section on fish and toxins from certain areas. Generally in the south Caribbean you don't have the red tides like on the Fl west coast however, if the fish are eating certain "stuff" - you can get pretty sick. So always check it out with the locals. I have found the sushi chefs to be the best at telling which fish are good or bad in an area.

"I may have underestimated the impact of direct human contact" most people do. I have read many environmental impacts studies and done the statistics for several. The ones that shocked me the most were on public parks. Walking on grass (meaning the lawn). One to ten people - not a problem - several thousand people - major problem. I have seen the park across from Buckingham Place destroyed in a day during the London marathon. The day before - nice lawn - after the race - major mud pit. Same happens when you take rookie divers on a reef - they can't control their BC - run into every thing. Just being a divemaster means little - I have seen people go from rookie diver to instructor in several months. Still had control issues. Fact is most dive gear is sold as fashion items (pink in BC matches pink in wetsuit) Most are often useless. What looks like industrial dive gear is often the best. Don't get me started!

The outer limits reef is off Tampa Bay about 23 miles it is a very large limestone ridge and valley near the shipping lanes.

The first time there the divemaster on the boat was useless. So I went down a ran a line from the boat anchor to reef so everybody could get back safe and we would not be driving around to find all the divers around the ships. I was diving a single steel 98, if I had not gone back to get my buddy, I would have been out of gas - was back on board after 1:10 (I had to reel the line I put out back in) and pulled deco on a 70 feet dive.

The laws allow Grenada nationals only to spearfish. Now, that being said, there were more than a few guys in my class who ordered spearguns and had their families send them down. that's it