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Old 03-19-2009, 01:26 PM   #1
RichT
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Spearfishing being banned!!

Yes, you read that right. They are currently trying to ban spearfishing only at Grays reef in Georgia.
Closing Grays reef to spearfishing while allowing hook-n-line angling would set an extremely dangerous precedent that would open the flood gates to closing spearfishing around the country.


Tonight! Watch the FRA defend spearfisherman and the sport of spearfishing.

Enemies of spearfishing have sometimes attempted to portray the FRA in a negative light on this board.
Watch as the FRA uses logic, science, and reason to defend YOUR sport.
Watch for yourself and see the truth.

http://www.thefra.org/
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Old 03-19-2009, 01:31 PM   #2
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

what time?
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Old 03-19-2009, 01:40 PM   #3
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

Separating spearguns from H&L as a gear type would set a very dangerous precedent. This effort from the far left "Enviro Nazis" is totally based in politics and personal/group agendas. There is not one shred of reliable science or data which justifies this proposal and this should scare the living hell out of every fisherman regardless of gear preference. If the H&L interests think they are immune from these closures down the road.......they are sadly mistaken. These groups are not gonna back off until they ban all marine species harvest. The only way to stop them is to expose them for what they are and hope fisheries managers start ignoring them.
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Old 03-19-2009, 01:42 PM   #4
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by jfjf View Post
what time?
6pm-8pm
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/f%27issues-fish-eye
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Old 03-19-2009, 02:03 PM   #5
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spear One View Post
Separating spearguns from H&L as a gear type would set a very dangerous precedent. This effort from the far left "Enviro Nazis" is totally based in politics and personal/group agendas. There is not one shred of reliable science or data which justifies this proposal and this should scare the living hell out of every fisherman regardless of gear preference. If the H&L interests think they are immune from these closures down the road.......they are sadly mistaken. These groups are not gonna back off until they ban all marine species harvest. The only way to stop them is to expose them for what they are and hope fisheries managers start ignoring them.
Kevin you are 100% absolutely right but in this case (Gray's reef) it's even more scary. The push to close spearfishing is coming from the law enforcement.

The quote below is from the website regarding banning spearfishing on Gray's Reef.

Quote:
Spearfishing is an activity which involves using spearguns, including such devices known as Hawaiian slings, pole spears, pneumatic and spring-loaded spearguns, bows and arrows, bang sticks, or any similar device designed to harvest fish. Powerheads are attachments to spearfishing gear that allow the use of ammunition cartridges to harvest fish.


Although the use of powerheads is prohibited at Grayís Reef, powerhead spear tips and spent shells found in the sanctuary indicate that this gear has been used since the ban went into place. Powerheads are so closely associated with spearguns that it is difficult to determine from a distance whether a speargun has a powerhead. Because the powerhead may be removed without detection upon approach by enforcement, there may be difficulties proving that a speargun with a powerhead was in the sanctuary. In addition, proof of powerhead use is not self-evident from the fish itself, which may require forensic testing to definitively determine the method of injury or harvest for evidentiary purposes. Law enforcement officials have expressed the need to prohibit the use of all spearguns in order to effectively ban powerheads in the sanctuary.

Spearfishing is a highly efficient harvesting method that selectively targets larger fish relative to other fishing gears and can significantly alter abundance and size structure of targeted species toward fewer and smaller fish. Some fish populations, such as red snapper, that are present within Grayís Reef NMS are regionally overfished, approaching overfished status and/or undergoing overfishing.


Read the above that has been bolded in RED VERY carefully. Read it again. If we don't see the implications of this proposed ruling based on the above we are in a world of hurt.

Imagine if you will the following:

The above ruling takes place and all spearfishing is banned from Gray's Reef on the following basis:

Powerheads are so closely associated with spearguns that it is difficult to determine from a distance whether a speargun has a powerhead. Because the powerhead may be removed without detection upon approach by enforcement, there may be difficulties proving that a speargun with a powerhead was in the sanctuary. In addition, proof of powerhead use is not self-evident from the fish itself, which may require forensic testing to definitively determine the method of injury or harvest for evidentiary purposes. Law enforcement officials have expressed the need to prohibit the use of all spearguns in order to effectively ban powerheads in the sanctuary.

The use of powerheads is illegal in Florida State waters.

Now replace "sanctuary" in the above with "Florida State waters".

See the implications now?

FL EAST COASTERS - Imagine not being able to spearfish within 9 nautical miles of your coast.
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Old 03-19-2009, 05:10 PM   #6
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

Bad news everyone, I just spoke with Denny and there is an inactive internet connection at the conference center. There will not be a "live" broadcast, but the entire meeting will be recorded and available at www.joinfra.org in the morning.
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Old 03-19-2009, 05:41 PM   #7
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by FishDie View Post
Kevin you are 100% absolutely right but in this case (Gray's reef) it's even more scary. The push to close spearfishing is coming from the law enforcement.
.
It is not just law enforcement, it is the feds. They should be able to apply the EXACT same conclusions to shut down spearfishing ANYWHERE in the United States! I would not be so worried if this was a state doing it, but it is the feds!
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Old 03-19-2009, 07:23 PM   #8
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

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Originally Posted by jfjf View Post
It is not just law enforcement, it is the feds. They should be able to apply the EXACT same conclusions to shut down spearfishing ANYWHERE in the United States! I would not be so worried if this was a state doing it, but it is the feds!
Exactly! It is becoming painfully obvious that all of this "restrict fisheries" BS is coming from the very top levels of government. There is no way in hell fisheries managers like Crabapple and his cohorts would stick their necks out (risk their jobs) like they do unless they KNOW FOR A FACT their a$$es are being covered. After seeing the crap these guys (fisheries managers) have pulled over the past 10 or 15 years and did not get fired, you can only come to one conclusion..........they are acting with complete immunity and that is very bad news for all fisherman.
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Old 03-19-2009, 07:32 PM   #9
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

Here in Ca, we have been dealing with the same type of situation. We need to keep each other posted and share information to pool our efforts to be able to go spearfishing across the coastal US.
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Old 03-19-2009, 07:36 PM   #10
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

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Originally Posted by So Cal Shaggy View Post
Here in Ca, we have been dealing with the same type of situation. We need to keep each other posted and share information to pool our efforts to be able to go spearfishing across the coastal US.
Really?? .... Are they allowing hook and line fishing but completely banning ONLY spearfishing.. not even allowing breathhold diving??
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Old 03-20-2009, 06:39 AM   #11
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

Yes, unfortunately the live feed was not working last night. I was disappointed at the overall turnout at the meeting, although some great points were brought up by those who attended.

I am also displeased by the fact that the Sport Diving chairperson (Robert Bunkley of ScubaMarket - USA) who represents all of us on the Gray's Reef Advisory Council also failed to show up to this meeting.
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Old 03-20-2009, 06:42 AM   #12
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

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Originally Posted by J.B. View Post
I am also displeased by the fact that the Sport Diving chairperson (Robert Bunkley of ScubaMarket - USA) who represents all of us on the Gray's Reef Advisory Council also failed to show up to this meeting.
I think he deserves some angry letters for that show of disrespect.
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Old 03-20-2009, 07:26 AM   #13
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

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Separating spearguns from H&L as a gear type would set a very dangerous precedent.
This has already happened in John Pennekamp and the state waters out of Key Largo.

The fines are $500 per fish if you are caught with a speared fish in those waters.
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Old 03-20-2009, 07:29 AM   #14
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

I spoke to a Biscayne National Park (BNP) higher up.

Don't remember his name but it was one of those older guys with the Sperry's and the Rolex.

He was obviously in charge.

He told me that if it were up to him he would change the wording from spearfishing to spearhunting and thus prohibit that activity in BNP altogether.

I just gave him a dirty look. LOL
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Old 03-20-2009, 07:42 AM   #15
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Re: Spearfishing being banned!!

As I have always believed... it's the 1% that ruins it for the 99%. I'm sure there are a few powerhead A-holes ruining it but this allow the Government (also known as big brother or the Nazis) to put a stop on spearfishing..... something must be done. It think if they banned spearfishing they would have a revolution on their hands.... bring it on!!

Peace, Errol
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