Ireland Spearing 2012

[dirkjan]

Jesus I'm gone for a bit and look what you've done.......
Bob, Fergus: on the button......that's all I'll say. And for the future interference of my spearfishing outings.... I hereby want to thank you!
DB is where it is at, here is where you'll find the world of knowledge what diving or spearfishing is concerned. If you want to inform people it doesn't get better than here.
It will take you years to gather this much information.
Foreign language???? I suggest you start by translating your site into Gaelic or not call it "Irish" Good luck with that. "Jesus".........

 

[sjwpjw]

Guys, I presume most of us are concerned about conservation. However there will always be people who shoot tiddlers etc because they they cant go deep enough or whatever. I do not really believe that such will be one bit worried whether there is a website giving all the regulations or not. If a website would sort the issue then it should have been sorted by now via db IMHO. It is really not very difficult to google such topics and find your way to this thread and read it. Or, contact fisheries etc to find out whether bass can be shot all through the year etc.
I would be real concerned that every tom and dick and Adasiek will fancy giving it a shot for the craic and not really be too bothered about the conservation aspect. Whilst it may be getting more popular it is a long way behind other sports like surfing etc but once we advertise and push it....
As Bob said he got going with the help of db - me too. If people want help or guidance its here. If they dont it is still here.
Anyway, this sort of stuff has been said before...

 

[johnnybuoy]

And if it all comes to a head where these people you speak of do something stupid??? What's the easiest thing the law will do??? Ban spearfishing. If there is an association behind the sport to promote it safely then it can't really be banned that easily.
Anyone with the slightest interest in the sea knows that spearfishing exists so it's no state secret really.
At the moment there are too many grey areas and all were doing is highlighting them on an official page that will be approved by the law and fisheries. Nothing else will change.

 

[bobdonny]

so time to stop talking about it and do it

if ye guys show us a website with that kind of info we can easily endorse it... Get crackin lads

 

[johnnybuoy]

Great to see we have your blessing oh wise one! :King
Were working on it. Could use someone like yourself rob.....

 

[sjwpjw]

They are already doing stupid things as evidenced by the videos and apparently nothing is being done.
I should think that it would be very draconian and somewhat unlikely to ban outright a particular sport.
Dont like the idea of competitions at all.
IMHO not very many people overall are aware of spearfishing (including many fishermen) and especially some folk who would be in the habit of keeping tiddlers. As soon as they find out...
Maybe its different in Cork or wherever and they all know and choose not to do it and/or if they were properly informed they would act differently but I doubt it but then I am only one voice and it is up to you guys yourselves.
Over and out.

 

[vasile]

And if it all comes to a head where these people you speak of do something stupid??? What's the easiest thing the law will do??? Ban spearfishing. If there is an association behind the sport to promote it safely then it can't really be banned that easily.
Anyone with the slightest interest in the sea knows that spearfishing exists so it's no state secret really.
At the moment there are too many grey areas and all were doing is highlighting them on an official page that will be approved by the law and fisheries. Nothing else will change.

Like Johny here,i just want to remind you guys that in the 60's and 70's spearfishing arena was very powerful and Irish international team won prestigious titles(If you familiar with Mick Moriaty) all over the world.And then unthinkable happened one of the lads had a black out and it was a sad day for the spearfishing and since then the sport died basically.What will happened now if a similar event will take place.What would be the investigation result?How many people do this?What training the victim had?Was he aware of the danger we was exposing?Is any regulatory body for this?No.Then the easiest way out is to impose a total ban.Who is going to represent us?Who is there to defend our rights?This just a few questions I have in mind and I believe that if we organize ourself and we support each-other in our sport,an association will be the answer to the above questions.

 

[zaratustra]

so time to stop talking about it and do it

if ye guys show us a website with that kind of info we can easily endorse it... Get crackin lads

Ok, just to let you know guys I am out of this project. I left last night because of my personal opinions. I wish all the best to the spearfishing ireland association and I want to thank you Vasile for all the hard work he is doing.

 

[bobdonny]

Great to see we have your blessing oh wise one! :King
Were working on it. Could use someone like yourself rob.....

happy to help chaps if I have skillz ye need, specifically any IT/Usability/web or graphic design etc. But I'm sure Derek has similiar.

 

[spudlington]

The main threats to spearfishing are from anti fieldsports groups and blunt legislation drawn up by well intentioned but misinformed civil servants, either from a fisheries legislation perspective or through Garda / DOJ scrutiny. Anyone who thinks it is far fetched to think it could be restricted is deluded. Although not directly under threat at the moment you only need to look at the examples of various shooting disciplines that have been outlawed in Ireland. Without getting into long-winded explanations, there are also numerous examples of firearms owners who already hold several licences but have had applications refused purely on the basis of a Superintendent not liking "the sound of" a particular firearm's name. On the fisheries legislation side of things there is the danger of being restricted inadvertently when directives or laws are proposed for other forms of fishing.
I have to disagree with you Vasile regarding a blackout related fatality spurring any legislation, however you are right to highlight the possibility of this bringing negative press upon the sport. You are quite right about it's popularity in the past, my father was on the Irish team that went to Chile. I too hope that the days of competitions are gone.

Tiernan

 

[sunfish]

I've been away for 4 days and I'm a bit stunned by all this to be honest!!!!

My first reaction is that I think an informative site could be a good thing but another forum isn't needed (or wanted, by me anyway). It seems like a much better idea to direct people to this forum.
Vasile, can you keep us updated on your progress with the firearms cert for the pneumatic please? How did you fill in the serial no. part of the form? Did you have to name a dealer you were buying it from?
I don't think Comhairle Fo-Thuinn will want be associated with spearfishing. There is a strong dislike of it among scuba divers generally. That's the reason why competition died out in Ireland. Personally I'd like to be reassured that any Irish spearfishing website won't be used to organise old style competitions with areas of coastline stripped of their inshore fish.
Some good points have been made here and for the moment I can't think of much more to say on the subject. I wouldn't like to see spearfishing grow too big here but people who are going to take it up do need some guidance.

 

[climbingperch]

Since my original post on the subject I've been reading the reactions of other members and there have been some interesting points raised.
I definitely see no need for another forum here is where its at end of story. A website to inform beginners of do's and dont's kit needed etc maybe yes and a voice to talk to the fisheries can only be good provided it speaks for the majority view. As for the Insurance issue for me personally its not an issue I have no dependents or liabilities and to be honest you could get hit by a bus crossing the road but thats just me.
I tried to warn Pedro that the Irish mentality is generally " if it aint broke dont fix it " and "leave well enough alone" glad to see most people agree with this. Rob you are lucky you are a sea angler as most good fly fishing in my area is controlled by clubs so its either join or do without and ive seen plenty of in-fighting there.
As for the licence issue this one really got under my skin sorry Vasile but I consider what you done selfish to say the least. Basically you badgered the gardai into giving you a licence when none was needed. The ramifications of your actions may still be felt I worry. Why not come and ask first do you not think if spearguns were restricted it would be so easy to import one ? try ordering a shotgun online and see how you get on! BTW which landowners/ gun club did you put on the form ?

 

[DafyddRees]

From an outsiders point of view, I am still struggling to fathom out the main points of A) why you want an association and B) what the association wants to achieve for spearo's in Ireland.

 

[DafyddRees]

Searching in google for spearfishing in ireland comes up with DB on the first page, even using various search criteria. Obviously the benefits of DB have already been spoken of however, I do have one criticism (which may be relevant to you). There is no easily accessible, locked-sticky that details the spearfishing legislation for the various areas e.g. catching side, conservation zones, seasons, gun laws sad nauseum which could easily negate some of the issues that have arisen.

As soon as an Irish Spearfishing Association (ISA?) is set up, it will bring the sport to prominence and suddenly gain a lot of unwarranted attention from people who may not even be interested in the sport but have other eco freindly-agendas. Without a clearly defined aim and a strong foundation created by a group of members who all share feelings, it has the potential to be walked over. The sport won't be banned but it would lead to a number of years of hurt fighting for your rights which could potentially have been avoided.

 

[johnnybuoy]

I don't see the harm in vasile looking for a pneumatic gun licence. At least we will know the steps to follow for us to obtain one if desired. Just my 2c........
Dafydd I think all our points were made really clear if u go through them.

 

[sjwpjw]

Feargus et al

Thought I make take the liberty of changing the subject!

1. Another orca was spotted about a week ago off a local beach. I hope this does not become a frequent occurrence or I shall be retiring.

2. Check this out: Beetroot juice can help you hold your breath 11% longer
Reckon its true?

Steve

 

[fcallagy]

Steve afaik Orcas have never killed humans in the wild only in captivity and I cant say I really blame them for that. I think we will start seeing more of them with the increase in seal numbers but think it would be cool. Nothing really is gonna bother you unless you start prodding it etc.

Lads on the spearing stuff,

 

[vasile]

Steve afaik Orcas have never killed humans in the wild only in captivity and I cant say I really blame them for that. I think we will start seeing more of them with the increase in seal numbers but think it would be cool. Nothing really is gonna bother you unless you start prodding it etc.

Lads on the spearing stuff,

I need one on xl...

 

[fla]

Third person singular there fcallagy, says. But you are damn right.

 

[fcallagy]

Haha fla you are correct but when the logo was Frankie say RELAX that's the way it was no says. But lets not get into a fight about it.