Spearfishing

Spearfishing is a method of fishing that involves spearing fish either while diving, off a boat or off the shore. Ancient spearfishers used sharpened sticks, however today they use elastic or pneumatic powered spearguns. Spearfishing can be done as free-diving (holding your breath), snorkeling or scuba diving.

Spearfishing is most commonly done while diving – whether shore diving, boat diving or blue water hunting. Shore diving involves hunting around reefs, rocks or sand, entering the water from beaches or headlands. Usually these dives produce reef fish. Boat diving involves using a boat to access an offshore location, such as a reef, to dive off. Blue water hunting involves fishing in very deep and clear water, where the boat driver drops divers and allows them to drift with the current to fish before collecting them.

Those who spearfish without diving usually wade into shallow water and use a hand spear. They have to take into consideration optical refraction though, which makes fish appear further away than they are. So water clarity is very important.

Spearfishing on the Reef

The Great Barrier Reefis the world’s largest coral reef system and listed as a World Heritage Site. Since it is a marine park there are some special guidelines to follow when spearfishing there. First, spear only what you need. Secondly, do not pursue a fish if you are unsure of its identity or size. This is because it is prohibited to take protected fish species in the Reef Park unless you have a Marine Parks permit. These include species such as seahorses, seadragons, barramundi cods, whale sharks, grey nurse sharks, great white sharks, potato cods and Queensland groupers.

Thirdly, do not take big fish merely as trophies since these are important breeding stock. Lastly, always track down injured fish – don’t let them swim off injured. Fishers should also be aware of the different restrictions for fishing zones on the Reef. For example, there is no fishing allowed in the Scientific Research, Marine National Park or Preservation Zones.