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when you shoot this fish, bring it gently and destroy its mouth with the diving knife.
Like most things its all relative, if your living a self sustaining lifestyle on a remote island with fish as the only protein source I would say that its underwater hunting, if on the other hand your after the biggest individuals to break records, then I would say its a sport. I don't think that spearfishing itself is a sport, it depends on the intention and situation of the spearo. A bit like most would say that angling is a sport but not many would say that trawling is, at the end of the day its all catching fish but everyone has their own reasons for doing it.
I have no problem classifying spearfishing as a sport it requires physical fitness, is challenging and has organised competitions, although having said that spearing a fish that wins a comp but doesn't make the table is wrong. I have never and will never spear something that won't be eatenOver the last few months I have discovered that many spearfishing threads, posts & members (particularly newbies) appear to assume that spearfishing is indeed unquestionably a sport. I'm under the impression that sport necessitates equal competitive elements & only between people. Regardless of human controlled conditions like competitions this is arguably not the case with spearfishing... ocean life has no access to technology! The Hunting is/not a Sport debate is a controversial & exhaustive one but currently spearfishing in particular appears to stand somewhat alone within these debates? The poll is deliberately reduced to only 2 choices, there is no grey area here, a conclusive decision should be made - it's either a sport or underwater hunting?
Perhaps Spearo's on this forum are well placed/should decide for ourselves how we regard, describe or define spearfishing as an attempt to dispel any condemnations & accusations of hypocrisy.
Perhaps the real debate is 'how' we hunt?
Yes, and experience and luck help, cunning (sometimes), calm weather and calm seas, usually for a few days before hand as well as on the day - at least it does here, otherwise there tends to be little or no visibilitySpearfishing ...requires dedication, practice, patience, and physical fitness. ...
I’m agraid that the Spearos I know don’t leave the big ones.
Well, perhaps I am just a wishful thinker... I can tell you with certainty that where I live all the spearos I know are aware of the need to protect species and populations... witholding some shots is in our best interest... does everyone do that? not likely. Keep on divin' Bill M. and Mr. X