NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver
100 Other Diving Specialties
regulations. Obey them to avoid being fined and also to
prevent divers from being given an unfavorable reputation.
Etiquette also requires that you respect the rights of
line fishermen in an area whether you are spearfishing
or not.
With the popularity of ecology and conservation
today, it is important that divers not kill fish indiscriminately
just for the “sport” of it. If you return from a dive
with a sack full of small, easily killed fish, you are likely
to become subject to peer pressure. The ethical modern
underwater hunter chooses the type of fish he wants,
hunts that species exclusively, and either gets a quarry of
respectable size or waits until another day. Spearfishing is
a wonderful sport, but good sense requires that it be done
with the interests of conservation in mind.
In some circles it is felt that spearfishing should be
done only while breath-holding, but others find no objection
to using scuba to allow hunting in deeper water. In
some countries and jurisdictions spearfishing on scuba
is prohibited. The major spearfishing competitions are
performed while breath-hold diving.
Spearfishing is done with poles, slings, and guns
(figure 10-3). All of these are dangerous weapons and
must be handled very carefully. No matter what your
philosophy about underwater hunting, if you intend
to engage in spearfishing, be sure to complete a NAUI
Underwater Hunting and Collecting Specialty course.
You will learn not only techniques that will increase your
chances of success, but you will also learn important
safety procedures.
Divers also hunt for shellfish, including lobsters,
shrimp, crabs, crayfish, abalone, scallops, and clams. The
same principles of conservation stated for spearfishing
also apply to the taking of shellfish. Many shellfish take
years to reach an adult size and some are immobile. When
all of the animals are removed from an area, it is easy to
see how that particular species may never be found there
again. The idea of fish and game regulations is that if only
a certain number and size of an animal is taken, there will
be enough of them remaining to propagate the species.
Taking undersized animals or more than is allowed disrupts
the sustained yield principle.
Shellfish are delicious, and fresh shellfish are the
FIGURE 10-4. Measuring your catch and only retaining legal sizes
not only avoids legal difficulties but preserves the yield of catchable game.
most delicious. There are people who dive just to get their
own fresh seafood, and it is difficult to beat a good meal
prepared on a boat or a beach after a day of good diving.
Divers hunt for lobsters in rocks and in wrecks.
There are three types of lobsters: the New England variety,
which has claws; the Langouste type, which has a
spiny exterior but no claws, and the Shovelnose or Slipper
Lobster. Which tastes better is a controversy, but the meat
of all of them is a delicacy.
Lobsters can be as difficult to catch as they are good
to eat. In some areas, only the gloved hand may be used;
and the lobsters are extremely quick. In other areas, use
of a wooden dowel is permitted. By tapping the lobster on
the side of the tail, you can guide it to a position where
you can reach it. Spearing lobster is illegal in many
areas. Know and observe any lobster seasons, catch limits,