Competitive Wrasse Killing by default?

[Davidocallaghan]

When I started spearing I found the BSA website and signed up to the forums. I didn't join as a member as I really couldn't see myself getting to any competitions and that seemed to be the main focus of the organisation. Then I saw a link in somebody's post to DB and found this great site which has everything a spearo needs - information, discussion, enviromental concern, celebration of success, educational disaster stories, piss taking and friendship. All this costs only $10 a year if you sign up as a supporter compared with £30 to join the BSA.

I do think it would be good if spearfishing had a stronger national voice but a big shake up would be needed before people are going to join in large numbers as a lot of us really aren't into competitions and DB is already ticking a lot of the other boxes.

Great work on the wrasse decision though

There will be a time when we will all need to be as one when they try and stop us doing the thing we all love. It my be sooner than we think Daveo

 

[Spiderman]

£25.00 of the £30 goes directly to insurance.

Kev

That puts things in quite a different light!

When I was an active rock climber being part of the BMC was something I considered essential for the insurance and the national defence of the sport against awkward landowners and restrictive legislation. Somehow the BSA's competition emphasis clouded the issue for me but maybe times are a changing...

 

[SurfnSpear]

There will be a time when we will all need to be as one when they try and stop us doing the thing we all love. It my be sooner than we think Daveo

Good result. Daveo is right, I cant see spearfishing remaining unnoticed and or 'unlicensed'. To what degree it gets tied up in regulation will be down to a common defense from all types of spearos here in the UK.

 

[kkdavids]

hi all, what this discussion has brought to everyones attention is that we (spearfishers in the UK as a whole), have a representing body, which needs to be adapted to bring non competitve people under its wing to ensure everyone is represented.

So the BSA needs to change (we are all agreed on that).. the perception is that the BSA is 100% focused on competitive spearfishing (probably correct 10 years ago, now probably nearer 80%) - So still lots of work to be done

What needs to happen?! Well this is an open forum, so sensible suggestions needed from you guys!

my thoughts are -
1.We need you guys on board, at committee level
2. We need people who are prepared to commit their time -Not arm chair spearfishermen (lots of these, who say should do this, should do that - aimed at everyone certainly including current members!). Its the same very few people year are after year who try to make a difference - fresh blood needed
3. we all are on the same team, and want the same result!
4. we discussed on saturday about having more non competitve events..get togethers, dives etc..like the LIC pairs - lets make it happen

Why do we need to do it?
1. Spearfishing HAS to be represented or it will sadly die
2. The more people on board, the stronger we are
3. how enjoyable will it be, if we are all together at events talking spearfishing? we all love it, dont we?


ps. i no longer BSA chairman or on the commitee due to business commitments next year. But i will be prepared to throw any spare time at it....also my old man is still vice chairman, so i can get thoughts across

 

[kkdavids]

oh PS, the BSA is a non profit organisation, so we just about break even each year...As mentioned earlier, insurance (3rd party liability) covers most of the fee, as well as the two magazines (something for everyone), then general running costs for the small amount which is left..ie website etc.............

 

[eric aqua]

Dave O thanks for your help in defeating the proposal but please don’t forget the Sussex Club who have banned wrasse in their competitions for the last 6 years after working out a code of conduct with Sussex fisheries. The vote on Saturday was a massive majority against the proposal showing how most of the members felt not just the Exe and LIC clubs.
Also a vote was passed to hold only 4 competitive comps next season, six dates were put forward so clubs will have to come back to the committee with a good package including social side to get their comp selected.
National spearfishing competitions are like one of the big marathons! A lot of spearos with varying ability, a few are out to win, the others coming along to see all the very latest gear, chat to some of the best spearos in the country and also to dive new areas that they might not otherwise visit. A lot of work has gone in over the last few years to keep our sport moving forward and debate is always the way to go but I think we must start putting more effort into keeping the pair trawlers off our beaches. (In Sussex this year they fished up to the end of the breakwaters).

 

[Gaz D]

ps. i no longer BSA chairman or on the commitee due to business commitments next year. But i will be prepared to throw any spare time at it....also my old man is still vice chairman, so i can get thoughts across

So who is the new BSA Chairman, Dave?

.

 

[kkdavids]

Dave spearo
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Gaz D]

Dave spearo
Posted via Mobile Device

Oh yeah, I forgot . . . you have to be called 'Dave' to do that job.



(Maybe the BSA should change it's name to the DSA?).


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