Dorset Spearfishing Club

[glowworm]

Over the past year it has become very obvious that their are plenty of local spearo's all doing their own thing.What would be everybody's response to having a friendly local club which would bring people together to swap idea's,experience and maybe unwanted kit??

The club needs members and idea's to get going and i'm sure it would be benefical to all who take part.Please register your support on this thread but also if you think the idea stinks register that as well don't just be silent.

Below is a passage from the British Spearfishing Association forum which should concern all spearo's,

Thank you for the background information in support of your telephone enquiry. As discussed, I have now spoken with Martyn Boyce, Principal Fishery Officer at North West and North Wales(NWNW) Sea Fisheries Committee (SFC). I confirm my understanding below.

In relation to EU law, our view is that spear guns are permissible under Article 31 (Unconventional Fishing Methods) of Council Regulation 850/98, provided the fish is not being sold (Part 2) and that they don't use electricity or explosives (Part 1) - Compressed gas or elastic would be fine. However, I should add that interpretation of legislation is ultimately a matter for the courts. I copy the full text of this Article below for information:

Article 31 - Unconventional Fishing Methods
1. The catching of marine organisms using methods incorporating the use of explosives, poisonous or stupefying substances or electric current shall be prohibited.
2. The sale, display or offer for sale of marine organisms caught using methods incorporating the use of any kind of projectile shall be prohibited.

However, SFCs are the local fisheries managers with powers to introduce byelaws that apply to their local Districts up to 6 miles offshore. These can be more (but not less) restrictive than EU and national legislation. Byelaws can regulate fishing methods and fishing gear, restrict fishing seasons, set minimum sizes for fish and shellfish, manage and protect shellfish beds or control fishing for environmental purposes.

As I indicated on the phone, it is the SFC's responsibility to make and enforce byelaws, and you should look to them for an explanation of how byelaws are applied in the District. Defra does not have any powers to direct the SFC to make, amend or revoke byelaws.

What would happen if you were challanged locally??? Could a club voice help???

[flyflicker]

Hi Glowworm

After receiving a VERY frosty reception from the Wild Life Trust man when we launched at Kimmeridge on Saturday, I agree something needs to be done. He acted as if we were going out to kill everything in our path, plus he didn’t bat an eye lid at a couple of anglers launching at the same time!

All I can do is relate to you how the game fishing world organises itself.

We have a national association that looks after all things fishy, the Salmon & Trout Association, they have very good connections with lawyers, MP’s etc. They also have area branches (Wessex) so members can get together etc. and sort out any local problems should they arise.

This seems to work well and if there is any problem on a Dorset River, we can very quickly through the area branch get it raised nationally if need be.

Their BIG push at the moment is education and they have sent out packs to ALL junior schools to teach the children the life cycle of the salmon and how fisherman are guardians of the rivers.

Education is the key - All my angler friends think spearfishing is barbaric, until I explain that all I spear is what I’m going to eat, no hooking small or unwanted species etc. They then start to agree that it is actually the most sympathetic forms of fishing,

So to your original question – yes a local Club would be a great idea, but it would have to belong to a national association, so I guess that would be the British Spearfishing Association.

There would be a need to tell the public the good side of spearfishing, the skill required to dive 30m (I wish!) and how we don’t kill everything that swims in front of us and we do care about our fisheries etc. etc.

Light bulb moment!! I wonder if Tanya Streeter was asked to host a TV program on spearfishing in the UK if she would do it???????????

[Wrinkley Ninja]

Personally I would welcome the introduction of a local club, as Im new to the whole spearfishing scene in Dorset and other than this forum have no contact with other Spearos I would find it really usefull to glean from everyones wealth of knowlage! and possible benifit from the occasional visit to the Pub.

[UK Spearo]

Yeah I'd go for that Glowworm, but I'd not be able to help run it as a lot of my time is taken up being on the BSA committee. Are you thinking just Weymouth and Portland or Wessex as well???

Umm thinking about it I'm not sure how much use I would be as I wouldn't have much time to give the club (other than the BSA/spearfishing I play in two bands as well, and my wife says she'd like to see me sometimes!). But would be about for the odd occasion/BBQ etc…

Anyway, just as a point of help it might be helpful for any new club to have its rules/regulations/mission statement and ethics set out from the start. Portland Oceneering had a club a couple of years ago that fell apart because of an argument over Wrasse (amongst other things like lack of support). The BSA rules might help form the basis of the club rules, and as Flyflicker said it would also be good to be under the umbrella of the BSA. It’s worth noting that if nothing else (even if people do not compete) the BSA insurance cover is very good and very cheap! You also have 3rd party cover if you have an accident in your boat! (OK so I'm on the committee you wouldn't expect me not to advertise them would you *lol*)

One amendment I personally would make for a local Wey/Port club is that I am generally not in favour of shooting Wrasse (although if you like eating them then no probs, and one of my Dads retired mated loves them so I sometimes get him a big one), so, any local comps set up should excluded them, considering the number of Wrasse round Portland that would be criminal to have a Wrasse bash. But I guess that would be up for debate with any other club members.

That’s my pennies worth – good to meet you over the weekend at last Glowworm!

Dive safe.
Clive.

[podge]

Glowworm
I live in Somerset and I dive with a mate from Surrey.
So would out of towners like us be able to join?
Can’t really speak for Jim but as for myself I wouldn’t be that interested in the competition side of things but would definitely be up for joining a Portland Spearo Club as at present I have only dived with Almostafish but would enjoy meeting some of the rest of you guys for spearing as well as the occasional BBQ.
As for the running and administration side of things not to sure what I would be able to do but if I could help then I would be only to happy to try.
Paul

[1 shot, 1 kill]

I think the idea of an "Official" regional club is a good one, especially if it is backed/endorsed by the BSA. Being able to meet up with each other and people such as fisheries officers, habour masters and conservation groups will only be benificial to our sport in our area. Coming up with a club code of ethics and good practice would also give members a sense of pride in what they do and allow easy demonstration of selective fishing and good environmental practice to members of the public and spearos from other areas.

[glowworm]

Podge the club would be open to everybody.Please don't get hung up on the competition side of spearfishing.The idea of the club is too put like minded people who enjoy their sport together.

People need to post how they would like the club run,what rules they wish too have.This needs everybody's imput and every point will be considered if a valid reason is put forward as well.

Please look at the british spearfishing site www.underwaterfishing.co.uk
look at the rules for guidence.
The club would be run under the BSA umbrella as the wesses club is.

[Soul Deep]

I would support it Glowworm, and I would also be able to discuss such backing with the BFA. With both the BSA and BFA (which also offers insurance) we would have quite an action filled basis for such a club.

I would also be happy to coordinate trips from the London region as I already do that most weekends anyway

I can highly recommend Almostafish as someone who might like to be involved, and he would certainly offer a lot of useful advice, local knowledge and training. Could be a two way hand rub there B

Cheers,

Soul Deep

[Soul Deep]

Oh and for my pennies worth on rules:

a) Fish shot MUST be eaten.
b) Only shoot Minimum size plus 20% (to make up for peoples judgement errors).
c) Endangered or low stock fish left alone (e.g. Sharks or Cod)

It would be nice if the club observed:

a) Compulsory annual summer beach party day out with all fish slapped on BBQ at end of the day
b) A conservation project of some description initiated and primarily supported by the club with donations from affiliated organisations such as the BFA.


Cheers,

SD

[glowworm]

Thanks for your imput Soul Deep.Minimum sizes will have too be discussed and agreed on.Local no shoot areas could also be observed but we still need more imput from people.

[1 shot, 1 kill]

How about the idea of a closed season which was being talked about on another thread recently? I think the majority of people seemed to agree that it was a good idea.

Also i think the idea of the club resepecting the local reserves would be a good one, it wouldn't limit the vast majority of hunting areas and would add credibility to the environmentally sound aspects of spearfishing (i.e. we don't kill everything that moves and can be as happy looking at animals as well as eating the odd one or two).

I agree with the club setting a slightly higher minimum size for fish (+20%), as this would remove the danger of mistakenly taking any undersize fish as well as increasing the average size of fish caught (can't think this would be a bad thing!). Also having some species 'blacklisted' which are curretly in trouble, could be continually reviewed based on numbers of sightings the previous season.

How about formally reporting catches (numbers and sizes) as well as rough numbers of fish seen after each dive? This could be recorded and used to monitor any changes/trends in the local area. This information could also prove usefull to other groups.

I think the issue of Wrasse is going to prove a stumbling block. Personally i don't hunt them but have been told they are tasty and know lots of people enjoy eating them and see them as fair game, i suppose only democracy can sort that one out once and for all...

Other things which could be considered:

Max of two fish per species per dive?
Don't fish for the freezer (unless you only get to dive infrequently).

[Almostafish]

Yeah this club thing sounds good as long as we can meet up at least twise a year and all have a BBQ and a beer together..

Dont mind if a few guys shoot Wrasse and lets face it we can police our selfs on this one.

Great idea, shall we have a party to kick it off then?

[Robbo66]

Originally Posted by 1 shot, 1 kill

How about the idea of a closed season which was being talked about on another thread recently? I think the majority of people seemed to agree that it was a good idea.

Also i think the idea of the club resepecting the local reserves would be a good one, it wouldn't limit the vast majority of hunting areas and would add credibility to the environmentally sound aspects of spearfishing (i.e. we don't kill everything that moves and can be as happy looking at animals as well as eating the odd one or two).

I agree with the club setting a slightly higher minimum size for fish (+20%), as this would remove the danger of mistakenly taking any undersize fish as well as increasing the average size of fish caught (can't think this would be a bad thing!). Also having some species 'blacklisted' which are curretly in trouble, could be continually reviewed based on numbers of sightings the previous season.

How about formally reporting catches (numbers and sizes) as well as rough numbers of fish seen after each dive? This could be recorded and used to monitor any changes/trends in the local area. This information could also prove usefull to other groups.

I think the issue of Wrasse is going to prove a stumbling block. Personally i don't hunt them but have been told they are tasty and know lots of people enjoy eating them and see them as fair game, i suppose only democracy can sort that one out once and for all...

Other things which could be considered:

Max of two fish per species per dive?
Don't fish for the freezer (unless you only get to dive infrequently).

Good post....presidential candidate, though in wales I will vote for you by proxy if permitted. Wrasse off menu though.

[podge]

Originally Posted by Almostafish

Yeah this club thing sounds good as long as we can meet up at least twise a year and all have a BBQ and a beer together..

Dont mind if a few guys shoot Wrasse and lets face it we can police our selfs on this one.

Great idea, shall we have a party to kick it off then?

When and where baby I’ll bring a barrel of Butcombe just to get things off on the right foot.

[Pastor]

Originally Posted by podge

When and where baby I’ll bring a barrel of Butcombe just to get things off on the right foot.

What the hell is a butcombe?? EEK!