To Comp or not to Comp.. That is the question.

[Davidocallaghan]

perhaps a revamp of the way competitions are held?
i know i've heard sunfish mention something like that before, such as one or two fish per competitor, largest wins, cuts out shooting the small stuff.

although i don't think we should get our nickers in a twist about spearo competitions wiping out fish stocks, because the comercial fisheries are doing a good job of that already.
i've worked on comercial vessels, and believe me, the level of by-catch which goes back dead is phenomenal.

also, this could create underground competitions, where people in the know just happen to be spearing in the same area on the same day for the same length of time.

and that's only going to create secrecy and distrust.


forgot to say, competition as i understand they are held now is not my cup of tea, but i wouldn't be prejudiced against anyone who does compete.
for comps like single fish per competitor, or two fish per competitor, i could see myself competing in.

A SMALL QUOTE for the last two days there has been 11 trawlers working in torbay !what have they done to the fish stocks and more so the bottom

 

[Pastor]

The general public don't get to see the goings on in a trawler no matter how bad the effect on sea life is, they can however see a car park full of spearfishers with their catch. No one has said the spearing competitions have a severe affect on fish stocks but that is what the general public think when they see it. People are more sympathetic to one or two spearos walking up the beach with their days catch, they see it as food but when its a large group laughing and joking weighing a hell of a lot of fish it doesn't take much intelligence to realise that their opinion will be different.

 

[Huw]

Just to clarify, are you saying that you don't personally have a problem with comps, but rather don't like the light it puts on spearing itself - as in you don't like the idea that the public associate all spearos with spearfishing competitions??

In case I have phrased this in a strange way what i mean is: if the public were magically guaranteed not to care or have a bad reaction to public weigh-ins, and as a result take an adverse opinion of spearfishing - would you not have a problem with comps?


Huw.

 

[Pastor]

What my opinion of competitions is isn't going to make a jot of difference to the BSA as long as they aren't seemingly willing to take on board other opinions. So the question should be how do the BSA lessen any negative impact or even better turn the whole thing into a positive PR exercise

 

[kale]

I would just hope and pray that the governing bodies are not as ignorant as people who might think that spearing comps do damage to fish stocks. My diving buddy told me that he would do an hour long dive and not see a single fish back when the gillnets, longlines and trawlers worked our area.
There was an attempt to ban spearfishing comps in parts of California. Luckily there were guys from the local spearfishing club there to speak at the meetings and present the facts and the ban did not happen.

 

[paulrossiter]

Pastor,

I think you are trying to dress YOUR and the minorities opinion as a public opinion, which is very misleading to the say the least. We are still waiting for evidence of this public opinion/backlash. You give me real evidence and I will take notice.

Cheers Paul

 

[spaghetti]

Pastor,

I think you are trying to dress YOUR and the minorities opinion as a public opinion, which is very misleading to the say the least.
Cheers Paul

Oh come on, paulrossiter, Pastor is way much more honest than this.
I've been boo'ed by a bunch of german tourists for a single fish on my spear... There's a widespread hostility against "killing animals" and that's a fact.
The point is: should be afraid of the hysteria of the public opinion, or should we try to "present facts" in public, as Kale said, to help people understand what it's really about?
I think this is the point where our discussion is stuck....

 

[Pastor]

Well I think this just goes to prove that the BSA aren't prepared to take on board anyone else's opinion. It's your organisation, you do your own research but don't be surprised when you don't come out of it smelling of roses. The fact that there are a number of fellow spearos willing to tell you they don't approve should be enough for any responsible group to hold at least some sort of investigation instead of building a wall of resistance.

 

[Pastor]

Oh come on, paulrossiter, Pastor is way much more honest than this.
I've been boo'ed by a bunch of german tourists for a single fish on my spear... There's a widespread hostility against "killing animals" and that's a fact.
The point is: should be afraid of the hysteria of the public opinion, or should we try to "present facts" in public, as Kale said, to help people understand what it's really about?
I think this is the point where our discussion is stuck....

Cheers mate

So the question should be how do the BSA lessen any negative impact or even better turn the whole thing into a positive PR exercise

Now Paul tell me what is wrong with this? Was I being obtuse?

 

[Almostafish]

Hi Paul

For once I'm not on my soap box here! I do think that there is a fair amount of people who find the idea of comps distasteful. I could well be in the minority but even the BSA admit that there are only 20-odd guys who really do the competition thing properly so I doubt I am.

As for the Proof you ask there are various accounts of people on here ( DB ) finding things that they don't like with comps and they are members of the public just like you and I so there is the proof you ask for if you choose to listen to it.

B.

 

[glowworm]

I was lucky enough to have had a good day's spearing today and my car was parked in a very busy car park.My dive partner 1 shot 1 kill and myself had to answer questions for about 45 minutes from curious members of the public before we could finally get changed.I know this was only 2 spearo's with three fish but their response was one of amazement and respect.I am planning to attend the BSA AGM to experience what is said and see what the future holds for BSA members.If the goverment wants to speak to the spearo community then surely they will talk to the National Club.In that case i would like to have an offical voice and my views on competions with public weigh ins is not rosey but i would welcome the BSA listening and making changes.

I hope i am made to feel welcome and not an outsider?

 

[Almostafish]

Great fish there John!

Tell me though, as the people walked over to you, you knew that it could go two ways and I bet you were both relived and happy when the people acted positively towards you both...

We must all have a winter pairs dive and all that follows!

 

[kkdavids]

Glowworm you will be made welcome no fear of that, any spearfishmen will be made welcome. Also will be good to see people attend the annual dinner dance which follows the AGM (amazing some of the stories after a couple of bevvies!!!).
Pastor - why dont you present you opinon in an official way rather than a forum, as anybody can type a few words on a PC regarding not getting your views heard. People who are prepared to make an effort to express their opinion are more likely to be respected and listened too (in general life not just spearfishing).

 

[glowworm]

I'm well up for a winter pairs dive bryn:friday

I could tell by the way they approached us they were curious but if they had been anti-spearing-blood sports then i would have defended my sport and beliefs in that sport with the passion we all share about this sport.

 

[grunter]

paul rositer, if it was you that got out of the water at broadsands and walked back, my girlfriend and two friends spoke to you as you got out of the water. They all live and spear in the area, one has a marine biology Bsc and a Msc in coastal management and works in the industry, and were very disappointed to see your catch of small Pollock and rass. the booing did occur in the car park, i have witnesses to that. the letters to the paper (kingsbridge gazette) are still there to read, speak to the national trust regional manager to confirm the letters/complaints he received. i am not necessarily a supporter of a total ban but competitions such as i witnessed that day were as i said a public relations nightmare.

 

[glowworm]

Forgot to say i can't stay for the dinner dance,not being rude but off to Eurodisney next day

 

[Almostafish]

Well to quote Podge " Amen to that Brother! "

 

[Huw]

Pairs dive... sounds fun!!! Never participated in one before... or actually ever been spearing with anyone else doing the same in the water before (other than my buddies!)


Huw.

 

[kkdavids]

Grunter, i was in the car park following the competition (as i entered), and there was no booing from anybody. Anybody who says there was in my opinion is extended the truth slightly! I am aware of issues with the marine biologist etc who you metion, and they had an official reply following their letter to the BSA. I understand the main concern was fish being removed from the local reef, but you will find that the amount of fish there then are about the same now.

 

[Almostafish]

So why were you fishing for Wrasse then? And small Pollock..??