Environmental Aspect


				A website about Freediving and Spearfishing by Stathis Kostopoulos *Environmental Aspect*



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		Freedive spearfishing is all about being a responsible steward of the sea. The key here is the proper management of a renewable resource. Freedive spearfishing has minimal impact on the environment. Recorded data shows that spearfishing takes less than 0.3% of all fish landed, while sportfishing around 6%. Commercial take is around 94% of the total. There are several reasons for this: Freedivers are limited by breathhold and by depth. Even their field of vision is limited due to the dive mask refraction effect. Freediving requires good visibility and good weather, both not common. We cannot dive after storms or when the water is murky. This takes out most of the time in any given year.



		Sometimes we see photos of freedivers with some nice fish. This might lead you to believe that this is the norm. It is not! It is the exception. Most of the times freedivers do not see any fish, let alone shoot one. Photos like the one below might make one feel that freedivers have a measurable impact on marine life. However, what is not apparent in the photo, is that there were another 20 good freedivers who did not shoot any fish in this 2-day island trip in California. In general, freedivers can expect to shoot a nice fish once out of ten dive trips.



		Here's another example from a recent dive trip in S. California (see below). From a group of 20 good freedivers, these were the only fish taken in that trip. Contrast this to the catch of linefishermen. You only need to check the landing records in the daily newspaper. Spearos' Etiquette Fellow freediver, remember to always practise responsible harvesting of the sea. When diving in popular beaches, take a choice gamefish or two, but do not create a massacre. Promptly put the fish away in your ice box. Be respectful of F&G rules, and of additional local ordinances. Remember, you are representing our sport in the eyes of the public. If you seem irresponsible to them, more people will chastize the sport, and ask for more restrictions. Be safe out there, and be a responsible steward of the sea.