Spearfishing vs The Law

[Sean Keenan]

Hi All

Couple weeks back went spearing with 4 friends in Swanage in the bay by the boats. We kited up and entered the water near the pear where the boating club is. The locals at the club were very mouthy and wanted us to vacate there beach on the grounds that we were no welcome as divers used these waters and that as we were on private property they had the right to do so.

I am not a confrontational guy and moved off the beach onto some rocks and clambered into the waters killing just about everything underneath me. (On the beach this would not have happened!)

Anyway where do we as Spearos stand on this?

ps... My mate did tell him we tend not to shoot divers as they are a little tough. Even the chap smiled at this.

 

[scottwilson]

moved off the beach onto some rocks and clambered into the waters killing just about everything underneath me. (On the beach this would not have happened!)

Really??

 

[ashly122]

I did look into this when i first started spearfishing, i sent several emails to various personal. The outcome was that there was to be no spearfishing under or around the pier as there are always divers in the area.

Ash

 

[Sean Keenan]

Really??

Scott this was not my intention. Just wanted to keep the peace. I tend to respect the law and more importantly the environment.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[SurfnSpear]

and clambered into the waters killing just about everything underneath me. (On the beach this would not have happened!)

Scott, I believe Sean means stepping on stuff underneath and not the spearing of everything underneath you!

Sean, regardless of the legalities, out of all the places you could pick, Swanage Pier specifically is a spot you just don't ever bother to consider as its a brick wall with the meanest little trolls sitting on top.
It seems you got mouthfuls from the boaties but usually its the scuba clique ironically situated at one of the initial historical British spearfishing clubs that get aggro.
I would equate it to taking a speargun down to the local leisure centre and jumping into the middle of the swimming classes.
In that sense they have a point and the coastline has SO much more to offer. Its just not worth the hassle.
Use the search function on the forum to turn up past history for spots you are considering diving.
cheers