Spearfishing
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Spearfishing is a form of fishing that has been popular the whole world over for centuries. Early civilizations are familiar with the custom of spearing fish out of rivers and streams using sharpened sticks as a means of catching food. The sport of spearfishing however involves holding one’s breath and sinking to great depths with the assistance of a weight belt. In place of a simple spear that would serve little purpose underwater, a spring-loaded speargun is used to strike the hunted fish. Spearfisherman have been known to hold their breath for durations of 2-4 minutes. By sinking to reefs and sunken wreckage (locations which larger fish normally occupy) spearfishing yields significantly larger catches than by the standard Rod and Reel method.
History
During the 1960s a campaign was led by Ralph Davies, to have spearfishing recognized as an Olympic sport. This never came to be. There is a long list of World Records for the largest catch by species carrying on to the current day. The International Underwater Spearfishing Association (IUSA) offers a complete set of rules to insure that any world record setting fish is caught under fair conditions. Spearfishing is illegal in many bodies of water, and some locations only allow spearfishing during certain seasons.
Modern-type sport spearfishing started on the French Riviera in the 1930's. At first they used no more aid than ordinary watertight swimming goggles, but it led to development of the modern scuba diver's mask and fins and snorkel. Some Italian sport spearfishers started using oxygen rebreathers, and from that came the Italian commando frogmen.
Spearfishing with breathing apparatus is disliked and in some countries illegal.
In tropical seas some natives spearfish in snorkelling kit for a living, often using home-made kit.
Spearguns have been described in at least one kit catalog intended to be read by armed forces diving organizations rather than by sport divers. That arouses a suspicion that there have been cases of spearguns being used as armed forces weapons.
External links
- Spearfishing World Record Rules (http://www.freediver.net/iusa/rules.php)
- International Underwater Spearfishing Association (IUSA) (http://www.freediver.net/iusa/home.php)
- Spearfishing World Network (http://www.spearfishingworld.net)