Dorset Spearfishing 2007

[podge]

Originally Posted by Almostafish

Hi Paul

Just wondering why the BSA Competition catch limits and sizes will affect every UK spearo.

I am a member, I don't do the comp thing, I do support some of your ideas but please don't think a bunch of well meaning guys in a club laying down rules and regs are going to influence how, and what, I am going to fish for.. Ever.

Ta.

B.

Sorry all at the BSA but I’ve got to agree with the above.
You boys can do as you wish within the BSA and what ever you do will be fine by me as long as you don’t try ramming it down other people’s throat, you leave us be and vice versa.
No offence meant but I can’t be doing with people telling me what I should or shouldn’t do at the best of times let alone when I’m on my own time and doing nobody any harm.
Again sorry for the negative vibe
Best
Paul

[sunfish]

Just noticed this exchange. I Know most on this thread got fed up of talking about competitions but I don't think Paul's trying to tell you what to take. He's offering you input into the direction competitions go. Nice one Paul.
As to it affecting you, if comps get spearing banned, in Wales or anywhere else ( south Devon?) you will be skulking around with your spearguns hidden, trying to avoid cops and objectors.
Many thought hunting with dogs wouldn't be banned and it had hundreds of times the number of supporters that spearfishing has. It didn't have a powerful commercial fishing lobby against it either. This discussion should go on a separate thread but If BSA offer you any say over what they do I'd advise everyone of you to take it. Spearfishing is illegal in Holland and Germany among others and could very easily be banned in the UK. Don't you all realise this?

[Almostafish]

Aye Sunfish, I do understand that spearfishing is banned in many places and to be honest what is going to get spearfishing banned in this county is one PETA person watching a BSA competition weigh in, god forbid they understood that the competitors rarely eat the total of their catch and most of it ends up going to the local restaurants.. Pure KILLING FOR SPORT. Do you understand that?

Guys shooting every fish they see and then discarding the smaller ones as they swim to shore is also something thats going to bite everybody in the arse!

My idea is that spearfishing would have a much better profile and much less of a chance of being legislated ( Correct PPE sir! ) if Comps were fazed out over the next few years.

But... Thats just my idea and I have no wish to tell anybody else what to do, or what they should do.

If they ever ban spearo.. Well.. They have to catch me first.

[James T]

I completely support Sunfishes comments. Paul is trying to help us all by mitigating the most public and potentially negative image of the sport portrayed through the comps.

Whether you agree with comps or not is not where he is coming from. He is also not trying to tell anyone what to do. What he is trying to get support for is a more ecologically sound set of principles for the comps so that we as a whole group don't suffer from the images of mass slaughter of either the same type of fish (e.g. masses of triggers/Pollack) or small fishes (the size limits for Pollack is only 36cm) influencing some fishing authorities.

I for one do worry that my sport might get banned as a result of some knee jerk reaction from some local authority (e.g. South Wales earlier this year) as a result of this stuff.

Thanks Paul.

[Almostafish]

Hey James I'm just not getting you here, you say comps are the problem, twice, and you are looking for a nicer way to perform a slaughter??

I objected to being told that the actions of the BSA affect all UK spearos. They have really no more say than you or I.

I know they are trying to do good but they all get a bit lost in the " BRITISH spearo club " thing and loose sight of the fact that they are just a bunch of guys who spearfish, and to be honest they are the organizers of the main problem that they are fighting against... The Competitions and the public perceived idea of the mass slaughter. Which lets face it does happen.

More views on this perhaps are needed. I am not against comps but for fuc*s sake guys own up to the results of your actions.

[kkdavids]

please read and understand what Paul is saying in his post...this is not all about competitions it is about spearfishing in general with regards to fisheries and local by laws (which will go through the BSA for the sport of Spearfishing) - So dont jump on your high horse regarding competitions, decisions made go deaper than that.
PS - the comment regarding dumping smaller fish when swimming to the shore, i would love to know where that came from!, as i have never seen or heard of that happening before

Thanks Paul for your post

[Almostafish]

Ok.. I see it like this. My views and mine alone.

The Comp's are what the public see, they see lots of guys come ashore with all sorts and sizes of fish, all dead, for the name of Sport. They see the fish being unceremoniously treated and finally dumped into a bin bag into the back of somebody's car for disposal.

Now forgive me for this but it this not the " Perceived image problem " and part of the " Mass slaughter " idea?

I don't think that spearfishing would register on the political radar if it was not for the comps that the BSA organize.

So for the BSA to be our savior when they are actually perpetuating the negative image, I see this as a bit hypocritical. We shall save you from the negative results of our actions.. Yeah!

My views are my views, and and in the nicest possible way, if you don't like them well, you get the idea.

And as for smaller fish being dumped for bigger fish, wake up mate! It happens. Dont ask for photo evidence or GPS positions etc but be aware that it just does.

Apart from me having the audacity to question something somebody posted how about the question did any body else get wet today?

[podge]

[quote=James T;674026] Paul is trying to help us all by mitigating the most public and potentially negative image of the sport portrayed through the comps.

so that we as a whole group don't suffer from the images of mass slaughter of either the same type of fish (e.g. masses of triggers/Pollack) or small fishes (the size limits for Pollack is only 36cm) influencing some fishing authorities.

I for one do worry that my sport might get banned as a result of some knee jerk reaction from some local authority (e.g. South Wales earlier this year) as a result of this stuff.


I feel I need to clarify my position.

In the time I’ve been a member of DB I’ve never gotten involved in any of the political to and throws of any discussion.
But as I’ve started I just as well have my say.

I’m not a competitive spear fisherman and I never will be, I’m not in it for any glory I just enjoy being in the water.
As for the BSA making decisions that will affect me and the way I fish, well if it makes them happy then so be it, I’ll still be doing my thing.
I fish as often as I possibly can and on every visit even when there have been 3 or 4 of us in the same area we have NEVER landed more fish than can be eaten in a couple of days by the spearo and his family.
I have only ever attended one weigh in at a competition and there was more fish there than I would or could take in over a year.
Now don’t get me wrong if that’s your thing then great and good for you as at the weigh in there was a really good atmosphere and a great piss up after, but to the non spear fishing onlooker what would seem a better picture for our sport one guy getting out with 2 or 3 fish, or a whole group gathered around bucket’s full of fish.

So as for my 10 pence worth, fine let the BSA carry on talking about the future of our sport at there AGM and fine let the well meaning guys make there rules, but just as long as they carry on going to public places for their weigh ins with their sacks filled with fish what do they think is going to happen.

Sorry guys, just my thoughts it AIN'T personal.

[Pastor]

When I took on the job as a moderator here I said that I would still be me but in this situation it is difficult to express my own opinion. So if you would acknowledge that these are my own personal views and they don't reflect the position of deeperblue in any way:

My opinion of the BSA is well known, Yakdiver, Alison, Dick Splash, Up North, Tea bag, myself to name but a few are still waiting an apology for the treatment we received from your organisation four years ago.
If you are so keen on giving our sport a good light then stop your competitions or at the very least stop the public weigh ins. Have any of you ever stood back at one of these events and witnessed the public distaste? I am 100% behind Almostafish and Podge except in my case it is personal!

As for dumping the smaller fish, wake up mate, what do you do, say "no I wont shoot that one, I'll wait for one a few grams heavier"?

[sunfish]

I am also against spearfishing competitions and as I said in my original post, I'm glad they no longer take place in Ireland. I'm going to vote on the BSA poll though, as I'm a member of their forum and I'll do whatever I can to moderate the effect competitions have on spearfishing law.
I'm glad people have finally come out and declared against competition. I was begining to think no-one cared.

[Paul Maxwell]

Morning
I see there is a fair amount of response to my post.
The proposals are there if you want to see / have a say. My opinion is a well rounded, informed view on spearfishing is not a bad thing. At least you guys are aware of things.
Any constructive input would be great. Competitions will always happen.
The opinions on the BSA are my own. The commitee may have a totally different view to me. The point of the post was not to start a debate on the merits of the BSA or to shove it down your throat . It is there just to give you the option to have an input if you want.
Happy Hunting Paul

[James T]

Each to their own. I will go to the AGM anyway and lend support to more moderate competition rules. It might not go as far as some would like (myself included) but I will do my bit.

[Spaniard]

I think this deserves a thread of it's own, perhaps Pastor can set it up. This is a very interesting debate which, if nothing else serves to illustrate a disparity which has been brewing for sometime. DB Uk-based spearos probably outnumber (i'm including the Guersey boys!) the BSA membership by now if anything best illustrated by the paucity of response to Paul Maxwells ideas on the BSA forum; indeed some of the responses are from DB members. Is the BSA even representative of the majority of UK-based spearos anymore? I myself am not interested in the concept of spearing competitions in any shape or form or anywhere in the world for that matter; I have competed previously in 2 full seasons of UK comps and also a few abroad. I back up all the comments made by those against comps. but also agree with Paul Maxwell about the BSA being the only body who can protect us ALL against potential legislation.

My point is; Is the BSA, who so many here are against because of competition-stance, representing all of our views? Obviously there isn't currently an alternative but should there be? Perhaps a poll?

[Almostafish]

Hi Paul

Why don't you include a " Should the comps be fazed out " poll?

The results would give a good idea of how representative of UK spearo's the BSA actually is.

Nobody has ever mentioned raising the safety training, apnea skills, boat work, rope work, VHF use, dealing with emergency's etc so if none of that is what the BSA is working for what exactly is the BSA doing for me?

[Paul Maxwell]

Hi again
LIC has 50 members nationwide and only 9 of those compete. The members are very active spearos with effective communication. We could very easily “stand alone” as the only benefits non-competitive LIC members get from the BSA are the 3rd party insurance and bi-annual Newsletter. The reason we do not stand alone is we see the benefits in having an input into the BSA for the same reasons mentioned in my posts i.e. conservation, poss licensing, Spearfishing bans etc that come up from time to time.

If you read the constitution of the BSA you will find it is involved in other aspects outside of competitions. Why set up an alternative if the structure and recognition is there already. Why not work with what is there already. If you feel the BSA is not representing the majority of spearos in the UK and have the time to get involved then come to the AGM in Portsmouth and have your say. The AGM is one practical chance there is to have an input. The social side afterwards is also a good opportunity to have a few drinks and talk about things in a relaxed environment. There are also loads of experienced UK spearfishermen there and it is a good opportunity to talk about the more important side of the BSA which is; Spearfishing.

The new Chairman, Glenn Cooke, is hungry for new ideas to improve, keen to involve non-competitors and extremely interested in input from all types of spearos. Spearos with your ideas and energy can have an input into the BSA.
Why not!