European Union Consultation – Including ban on use of projectiles .

[Paul Maxwell]

Hi
To allay your fears about these rulings why not contact the BSA british spearfishing association - Contacts, BUSA CMAS - Pêche or CMAS CMAS - Pêche.
I would be very surprised if they did not already know about it and indeed have it in hand. Cannot see something so potentially damaging to the Europewide spearos going through without their knowledge and involvement.
Cheers Paul

[felipe felop]

e-mail sent,'THE LAW', now where do we stand if all this is true,and we cannot hunt for food anymore,then surely spearguns cannot be used for there intended purpose, i guess this then makes it a lethal weapon in the eyes of the law,so can/will they be banned from now on if all this BS is true, its about as clear as mud, can anyone throw any light on this. FEEL GUTTED

[Amphibian]

"It's not a projectile, it's still attached to the gun via a line, it's a captive weapon like a pole spear"

...just with a few meters range.

[SurfnSpear]

Sent in an email using some of yours James...all feel free to use template.

To whom it may concern,

It has been brought to my attention that there is a proposed change to the Technical Conservation Regulations as part of a current consultation. The change is part of Article 12 of the Technical Conservation review document:
I wish to oppose and point out that the adoption of the legislation as it stands would ban a legitimate, selective and environmentally friendly form of fishing enjoyed by several thousand people in the UK. I would like to object most strongly to the inclusion of spearfishing per se (reference Article 12 ‘any kind of projectile’) as part of this proposed ban.

Spearfishing is the only form of fishing which is entirely selective in the capture of fish. It has a negligible impact on fish stocks, zero by-catch or effect on the local environment. Spearfishermen only take fish for their own consumption, and there is no logic in removing the current right to legitimitely and legally catch fish by means of a projected spear while observing species selection and minimum sizes.

Article 12
Destructive fishing practices

The catching, retention on board, transhipment, storage, landing, sale, display or offer for sale of marine organisms caught using methods incorporating the use of explosives, poisonous or stupefying substances, electric current or any kind of projectile shall be prohibited.


This is a significant change from the current legislation which is Article 31 of Council Regulation 850/98 which permits spearfishing but prohibits the sale of fish caught using a projectile

THE CURRENT LEGISLATION/LAW below
Article 31
Unconventional fishing methods

1. The catching of marine organisms using methods incorporation 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.

Your's sincerely,

[glowworm]

Sent my email as well.

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by spaghetti

For God's sake,SHUSH!!! This is a big threat for all of us.

I can't believe that after only one year from the CE 1559/2007 set of rules, they're already dismantling the common regulations.
Is this....a joke?

Spaghetti, we're counting on the support of fellow spearos in the EU and around the world.

"...bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
- Dylan Thomas

I've written to a couple of people/places concerned. I think it would useful if others do too. You will find this website useful for contacting all of your MEPs at once or your MP:

WriteToThem - Email or fax your Councillor, MP, MEP, MSP or Welsh, NI for free

BTW it's worth writing to your MP(/MEPs) at least once in your life. Turns out mine is excellent but my brother's is "part of the problem, not the solution" - he'll be making a special effort to vote next time.


By the way, this might also be a time to remove the archaic rule that allows the sale of rod caught fish but not speared fish. I personally have no interest in selling fish but I think the rules for rod & spear should be the same.

[Spaniard]

Yes let's ban spearfishing which has a massive impact on fish stocks but keep the old trawling and dredging in place which is nice....Perhaps we could introduce dynamiting and more gill-netting too to fill the void left by the nasty spearfishermen! I will email the appropriate response but I do despair! Bunch of idiot jobsworths who have never even seen the coast underwater....

[Mr. X]

The Umberto Peluzzi Freediving Manual traces freediving in Europe back to a (Greek?) sponge fisherman that helped the Italian Navy recover an anchor in exchange for being allowed to fish with dynamite!

[sunfish]

Am I right in thinking this will affect us the same way in Ireland? If so, what action would anyone suggest that we can take?

[Pastor]

Email sent

[REddie]

Attached is my email to DEFRA... We've got to take a stand here fellas!

Tech consultation letter.doc

[dave]

Originally Posted by sunfish

Am I right in thinking this will affect us the same way in Ireland? If so, what action would anyone suggest that we can take?

Yes, it would apply to Ireland.
Contact your MP, MEPs and the Government department that deals with fisheries, quoting the technical conservation measures review
This applies to all of Europe except the Mediteranean, Baltic and Black Sea

cheers
dave
Spearguns by Spearo uk ltd finest supplier of speargun, monofins, speargun and freediving equipment

[Mr. X]

Spear fishing clearly does not fit into the category "Destructive fishing practice" (it's impact is the same as rod angling, or less). The other forms mentioned (explosive, poisons) do fit the description, as they are indiscriminate with severe and broad environment impact, while spearing does not, being extremely discriminating & with negligible environmental impact. Hard to see why they'd put spearing in there, especially while they condone rod fishing, handlining, trawling, trolling, dredging, etc.

Also, it seems like most/much spearing gear is still designed & made in the EU, & some in the Commonwealth, unlike angling gear which seems to come mainly from China these days.

[cesar]

I have sent my e-mail too
I'm a Vet so I deal with DEFRA officers/Vets regularly and I can tell you their reputation is of "coffee drinkers and work as little as possible".I put all initials after my name so they can see that also vets enjoy this sport!!
Please continue e-mailing ,if they have a massive reply ,they are so lazy that most likely the will abandon the idea of carrying on.
I am really angry,I cannot understand what inconvinience we do to anybody,why they keep threatening???
Anyway Thanks for let us know Rab .
I ve used SurfnSpear template + more comments
Cesar

[Huw]

Come on guys, lets sort this out. Get those emails sent. As has been said, try to send a copy to as many relevent recipients as possible.

Cheers,

Huw.