Hi all well here is the long promised post on spearfishing, not strictly bushcraft but perhaps of interest and could be another string to anyones bow.
Firstly let me state that spearfishing, freediving and the coast in general are all inherantly dangerous, this article intends to provide an overview of the sport i enjoy not instructions, dont attempt anything here without proper instruction/knowledge of the sport its dangers and the sea.
My second note is that this article will deal with Freedive spearfishing, as this is what i do but also as in my view it is the only way to do it whilst keeping things as natural, fair and humane as possible. Some countries UK included allow spearfishing whilst using scuba equipment but many dont. These skills are transferable but in my opinion using scuba defeats the freedom aspect and also swings odds much more in the hunters favor making the taking of game less of a challenge, and in my view less ethical.
Lastly In the UK spearfishing in fresh water is illegal, so dont be tempted no matter how nice those trout look!
What is freediving.....:
Most of you have probally freedivied before whether you know it or not, freediving is often described as a breath and an inch... or more precisely descending beyond an inch of water depth, holding a single breath of air. Another way to look at it is to imagine scuba diving, but without the breathing apparatus.
Freedivers explore the underwater world, gathering game, taking photos or setting records using only a single held breath taken at the surface before each dive. Specialist equipment helps; longer fins, wetsuits, mask and snorkle etc. but it comes down to the ability of the freediver to be comfortable in his/her surroundings, their skill in conserving energy and oxygen, their ability to store/maximise oxygen in their tissues and lungs and their natural ability and practise in performing tasks in a state of 'apnea' (essentially without oxygen/with only the oxygen stored in their bodies).
Most people are capable of freediving to some extent but it takes practise and physical and psycological training to begin to push the boundaries of what humans can endure. To give you some idea the current world record for static breath holding (without swimming/moving) is 9 mins 40 secs.... think about that.. then try holding yours for 30secs... see?!
The current depth records for swimming as deep as possible vary on different disciplines but the most relatable one is constant weight.. where the diver must descend and return safely to the surface under their own power carring the same weight on the ascent as the decent.. all on a single breath of air.. this currently stands at 111meters... straight down, and back up of course!
If anyone is interested in learing more about freediving i suggest watching a movie called 'The Big Blue' or check out AIDA the international freediving association.
What is Spearfishing....?
Spearfishing in this instance refers to the general gathering of game, in or under the water whilst freediving (see above).
In the UK most spearfishing takes place between 0 and 15meters depth, although many may go deeper for more elusive fish and game or just to sight see. I regularly dive to 25-30meters but most of my game gathering is done in the first 15.
What is there to eat....?!
The UK is blessed with some of the worlds most diverse ocean life, and pretty much all of it is edible.. although not all tasty! Most spearfishers concern themselves with gathering the best of whats on offer.. this includes..
- European Sea Bass... the prize UK fish, spooky and elusive but very tasty and much too expensive in the shops!
- Other 'round' fish such as: Grey mullet, Red mullet, Pollock, Sea Bream, Cod, Mackerel, Gar fish... the list goes on take a look at a fishmongers counter and you get the idea!
- Flat fish... Such as Plaice, Turbot and Lemon Sole.
- Rays.. In any number of forms but often better known as Skate.
- Crustaceans.. Lobster (need i say more!?) Crab (Brown or edible, Spider and the small but sweet swimming crab), Crayfish and Longuistines.
- Shellfish.. Scallops, Oysters, Mussels, Whelks and Clams.
Of course there is much more especially for the more adventurous.. Like Conger Eel, Shark, Dogfish, John Dory, Seaweed.. the list is possibly endless!
But its the UK will i see anything?!
True the UK doesn't have the clearest waters, but providing you find a sheltered area or there hasnt been a severe storm for a few days viz is usually quite good, 1m viz is diveable and you can hunt in it, but 3m is about the average, on good days ive seen viz well over 15m.
So how do i get it...?
Well aside from finding someone to show you the ropes, much of this bounty 'could' be found in rock pools and on the shoreline.
However to spearfish in the UK you would need..
- A wetsuit, come in all shapes and sizes but a proper two piece one designed for the job will keep you warm i use a two piece 5mm one and am in the water for up to 8 hours at a time.. the zip up back surfing jobbies wont cut it with that sort of use.
- A speargun.. these can be brought or made and vary from cheap and cheerful to extortionate hand carved monsters, all do pretty much the same job and power a spear (usually INOX Steel) which is attached to the gun or a float by a line (usually monofilament... but about 600lb+ breaking strain).
The guns power the spears using either elastic bands (thick surgical rubber type) or compressed air.
The choices are endless but a good option for UK waters is one of a barrel length around 75cm this gives a good balance of size and power/range. The bigger the gun the higher the power and greater the range. Most fish are shot within 3 meters of the diver.
- A knife.. its an important safety device for cutting lines and dispatching fish.. not so much for fighting sharks!
- Weightbelt and weights. These counter act the bouyancy of the wetsuit
- Surface Float and line.. The floats main function is to make you visible to other sea users.. mainly boats but also can act as a rescue device or for storage. The line is obviously so it doesnt float away from you!
- Fins.. any will do and some people use none but to maximise your dive time and save energy specific freediving ones are best.. these are big (my current ones are over 85" long) and take some getting used too.
As with all sports there are tons of gadgets, gizmos and nice to have items but you can be successful with the above or less.. In warmer climates many dont use a wetsuit, some people use a hand spear instead of a gun I guess its down to personal preference, local laws and skill!
Once you have all your gear and some tuition the next bit is easy you get in the water and go hunting..
Fish like all animals feed in certain places, like certain conditions and habitats and have certain needs, knowing these will enable you to find them. For example, knowing flatfish feed on the changing of the tide and generally on a sandy bottom with weed/rock nearby gives you a guide of where to look.
Fish like Bass are pelagic, meaning they are open water feeders, but they hunt smaller fish, who live near shelter.. rocks, wrecks etc. and hide in shelter themselves when not feeding.
As an easy rule areas with broken bottoms of rock and sand, with plenty of sea weed are usually excellent areas to hunt. Of course all fishermen have their own secret hotspots but we dont divulge them!
Once in a fishy area you have two options swim around the area, both on the surface and near the bottom looking for fish or drop to the bottom and wait hoping to see a fish passing or coming to investigate. Both work, either way when you see your target its a case of aim, shoot and hopefully retrieve your catch.
The benefit of spearfishing is you always see what your shooting at so you can be selective, not shooting at fish you wont use or not taking immature/smaller fish.
Shell fish and Crustaceans:
Gathering these is even easier if spotting them in the first place is often harder, while swimming around keep your eyes open, you may spot that lobster or a field of mussels, dive down pick it up or gather a few and thats dinner sorted.
As a side note Lobsters and Crabs can be nasty things, a small lobster or medium crab is easily capable of breaking a finger (i speak from experience) always pick them up from behind and with fingers as close to where the claws join to the body as you can. (Some will nail you even then!)
Its also illegal to spear crustaceans so even if its a monster lobster intent on biting your arm off dont be tempted as penalties are quite severe.
Im sure i dont have to explain how seaweed could be collected!
So there you have it with a combination of freediving and spearfishing you could have a rather tasty, ecologically sound and free dinner. To give you an idea of whats on offer me and a friend took 8 others camping last year, we supplied enough fish and lobster between us to feed them all and ourselves three meals a day.. mmmm camping with sushi, grilled fish, fresh crab and lobster and shellfish.. not to mention the odd beer. Does it get any better!? Oh yeah, when the tents next door notice you all eating lobster while they have their beans on toast!
Dangers:
This section is important, freediving and spearfishing are dangerous sports, as well as the environmental safety aspect of being in the sea a diver is also at risk of,
- Shallow Water Blackout, the biggest killer of freedivers worldwide. SWB is caused by lack of oxygen. This makes you pass out, obviously under water this is a BIG problem and inevitably leads to drowning. Basically divers are most at risk when surfacing, i wont go into the technical reasons but surfice to say that as a safety measure you should never dive alone and should never push your limits as this greatly increases the chances. Weighting yourself so you will float from -5m is also a good way of increasing your chances of survivial should the worst occur.
- Knots and tangles.. Divers are at risk of becoming trapped underwater by either their own gear or carelessly discarded fishing tackle etc. When holding your breath your time is limited so this can be a problem and is why you should always carry a knife, if you can cut your way free it will save your life. Oh and seaweed will never tangle you up, i almost live in the stuff and its just not capable of it!
- Things that bite, cut or sting.. In the UK there are very few things that could cause you problems, Mako sharks do frequent our shores, and are big enough but ive only ever seen one and he didnt eat me, so thats a rarity. Weever fish are poisonous if stepped on but its much like a bee sting, and you will probally never see it. Other than that remember all fish have defences and should be handled with care, some have spines, or sharp scales, others may have stings. Luckily there is nothing in the UK i know of which is likely to put an end to you so general caution in handling things will save you from the odd cut or scrape.
-Spearguns.. These are dangerous weapons, and as such should be treated like a rifle at all times, never load one or have one loaded out of the water, dont point it at anything or anyone other than fish, know where your spear is going to go should you miss and keep your safety catch on at all times. Spearguns are easily capable of killing and will travel for huge distances if accidentally fired out of the water.
Law:
Currently spearfishing is a slight grey area although this is changing slowly.
The same laws apply to spearfishers as to commercial fishermen as to sizes and species of fish, shellfish and lobsters you may catch. Some areas also have fishing bans due to breeding or local limits, so always check what you can land, where you can catch it and how big it has to be.
Selling speared fish is also illegal, but why would you.. its too fresh and tasty!
Spearguns are currently not under any legislation so no licences are needed although reputable dealers wont sell to under 16's and police will treat is as a dangerous weapon. A good view to take is the same as knife law, if you have it for a valid reason in a valid place no problems, just dont take it to the pub!
Afternote..
Well thats it a brief..ish note on spearfishing in the UK just an overview really, any questions just ask, anyone interested in learning.. just ask.
I find spearfishing not only feeds you, it keeps you healthy, its ecologically sound especially compared to mass fishing/trawling and its great fun!
Should you catch dinner or not you can guarentee you will see something every trip that will stay in your mind forever.. some of my more memorable dives in the UK have included..
Playing fetch with a dolphin
Swimming with seals
Coming face to face with a 4m Mako shark
Swimming with a Basking Shark.. 8m long.
Swimming with a whale and its Calf
and a whole host of memories of underwater landscapes, wierd and wonderful creatures, sights sounds tastes...
Not to mention the friends, atmosphere, and relaxing free feeling it gives you.
Hope you enjoy.
Joe.. aka The Fish.
Firstly let me state that spearfishing, freediving and the coast in general are all inherantly dangerous, this article intends to provide an overview of the sport i enjoy not instructions, dont attempt anything here without proper instruction/knowledge of the sport its dangers and the sea.
My second note is that this article will deal with Freedive spearfishing, as this is what i do but also as in my view it is the only way to do it whilst keeping things as natural, fair and humane as possible. Some countries UK included allow spearfishing whilst using scuba equipment but many dont. These skills are transferable but in my opinion using scuba defeats the freedom aspect and also swings odds much more in the hunters favor making the taking of game less of a challenge, and in my view less ethical.
Lastly In the UK spearfishing in fresh water is illegal, so dont be tempted no matter how nice those trout look!
What is freediving.....:
Most of you have probally freedivied before whether you know it or not, freediving is often described as a breath and an inch... or more precisely descending beyond an inch of water depth, holding a single breath of air. Another way to look at it is to imagine scuba diving, but without the breathing apparatus.
Freedivers explore the underwater world, gathering game, taking photos or setting records using only a single held breath taken at the surface before each dive. Specialist equipment helps; longer fins, wetsuits, mask and snorkle etc. but it comes down to the ability of the freediver to be comfortable in his/her surroundings, their skill in conserving energy and oxygen, their ability to store/maximise oxygen in their tissues and lungs and their natural ability and practise in performing tasks in a state of 'apnea' (essentially without oxygen/with only the oxygen stored in their bodies).
Most people are capable of freediving to some extent but it takes practise and physical and psycological training to begin to push the boundaries of what humans can endure. To give you some idea the current world record for static breath holding (without swimming/moving) is 9 mins 40 secs.... think about that.. then try holding yours for 30secs... see?!
The current depth records for swimming as deep as possible vary on different disciplines but the most relatable one is constant weight.. where the diver must descend and return safely to the surface under their own power carring the same weight on the ascent as the decent.. all on a single breath of air.. this currently stands at 111meters... straight down, and back up of course!
If anyone is interested in learing more about freediving i suggest watching a movie called 'The Big Blue' or check out AIDA the international freediving association.
What is Spearfishing....?
Spearfishing in this instance refers to the general gathering of game, in or under the water whilst freediving (see above).
In the UK most spearfishing takes place between 0 and 15meters depth, although many may go deeper for more elusive fish and game or just to sight see. I regularly dive to 25-30meters but most of my game gathering is done in the first 15.
What is there to eat....?!
The UK is blessed with some of the worlds most diverse ocean life, and pretty much all of it is edible.. although not all tasty! Most spearfishers concern themselves with gathering the best of whats on offer.. this includes..
- European Sea Bass... the prize UK fish, spooky and elusive but very tasty and much too expensive in the shops!
- Other 'round' fish such as: Grey mullet, Red mullet, Pollock, Sea Bream, Cod, Mackerel, Gar fish... the list goes on take a look at a fishmongers counter and you get the idea!
- Flat fish... Such as Plaice, Turbot and Lemon Sole.
- Rays.. In any number of forms but often better known as Skate.
- Crustaceans.. Lobster (need i say more!?) Crab (Brown or edible, Spider and the small but sweet swimming crab), Crayfish and Longuistines.
- Shellfish.. Scallops, Oysters, Mussels, Whelks and Clams.
Of course there is much more especially for the more adventurous.. Like Conger Eel, Shark, Dogfish, John Dory, Seaweed.. the list is possibly endless!
But its the UK will i see anything?!
True the UK doesn't have the clearest waters, but providing you find a sheltered area or there hasnt been a severe storm for a few days viz is usually quite good, 1m viz is diveable and you can hunt in it, but 3m is about the average, on good days ive seen viz well over 15m.
So how do i get it...?
Well aside from finding someone to show you the ropes, much of this bounty 'could' be found in rock pools and on the shoreline.
However to spearfish in the UK you would need..
- A wetsuit, come in all shapes and sizes but a proper two piece one designed for the job will keep you warm i use a two piece 5mm one and am in the water for up to 8 hours at a time.. the zip up back surfing jobbies wont cut it with that sort of use.
- A speargun.. these can be brought or made and vary from cheap and cheerful to extortionate hand carved monsters, all do pretty much the same job and power a spear (usually INOX Steel) which is attached to the gun or a float by a line (usually monofilament... but about 600lb+ breaking strain).
The guns power the spears using either elastic bands (thick surgical rubber type) or compressed air.
The choices are endless but a good option for UK waters is one of a barrel length around 75cm this gives a good balance of size and power/range. The bigger the gun the higher the power and greater the range. Most fish are shot within 3 meters of the diver.
- A knife.. its an important safety device for cutting lines and dispatching fish.. not so much for fighting sharks!
- Weightbelt and weights. These counter act the bouyancy of the wetsuit
- Surface Float and line.. The floats main function is to make you visible to other sea users.. mainly boats but also can act as a rescue device or for storage. The line is obviously so it doesnt float away from you!
- Fins.. any will do and some people use none but to maximise your dive time and save energy specific freediving ones are best.. these are big (my current ones are over 85" long) and take some getting used too.
As with all sports there are tons of gadgets, gizmos and nice to have items but you can be successful with the above or less.. In warmer climates many dont use a wetsuit, some people use a hand spear instead of a gun I guess its down to personal preference, local laws and skill!
Once you have all your gear and some tuition the next bit is easy you get in the water and go hunting..
Fish like all animals feed in certain places, like certain conditions and habitats and have certain needs, knowing these will enable you to find them. For example, knowing flatfish feed on the changing of the tide and generally on a sandy bottom with weed/rock nearby gives you a guide of where to look.
Fish like Bass are pelagic, meaning they are open water feeders, but they hunt smaller fish, who live near shelter.. rocks, wrecks etc. and hide in shelter themselves when not feeding.
As an easy rule areas with broken bottoms of rock and sand, with plenty of sea weed are usually excellent areas to hunt. Of course all fishermen have their own secret hotspots but we dont divulge them!
Once in a fishy area you have two options swim around the area, both on the surface and near the bottom looking for fish or drop to the bottom and wait hoping to see a fish passing or coming to investigate. Both work, either way when you see your target its a case of aim, shoot and hopefully retrieve your catch.
The benefit of spearfishing is you always see what your shooting at so you can be selective, not shooting at fish you wont use or not taking immature/smaller fish.
Shell fish and Crustaceans:
Gathering these is even easier if spotting them in the first place is often harder, while swimming around keep your eyes open, you may spot that lobster or a field of mussels, dive down pick it up or gather a few and thats dinner sorted.
As a side note Lobsters and Crabs can be nasty things, a small lobster or medium crab is easily capable of breaking a finger (i speak from experience) always pick them up from behind and with fingers as close to where the claws join to the body as you can. (Some will nail you even then!)
Its also illegal to spear crustaceans so even if its a monster lobster intent on biting your arm off dont be tempted as penalties are quite severe.
Im sure i dont have to explain how seaweed could be collected!
So there you have it with a combination of freediving and spearfishing you could have a rather tasty, ecologically sound and free dinner. To give you an idea of whats on offer me and a friend took 8 others camping last year, we supplied enough fish and lobster between us to feed them all and ourselves three meals a day.. mmmm camping with sushi, grilled fish, fresh crab and lobster and shellfish.. not to mention the odd beer. Does it get any better!? Oh yeah, when the tents next door notice you all eating lobster while they have their beans on toast!
Dangers:
This section is important, freediving and spearfishing are dangerous sports, as well as the environmental safety aspect of being in the sea a diver is also at risk of,
- Shallow Water Blackout, the biggest killer of freedivers worldwide. SWB is caused by lack of oxygen. This makes you pass out, obviously under water this is a BIG problem and inevitably leads to drowning. Basically divers are most at risk when surfacing, i wont go into the technical reasons but surfice to say that as a safety measure you should never dive alone and should never push your limits as this greatly increases the chances. Weighting yourself so you will float from -5m is also a good way of increasing your chances of survivial should the worst occur.
- Knots and tangles.. Divers are at risk of becoming trapped underwater by either their own gear or carelessly discarded fishing tackle etc. When holding your breath your time is limited so this can be a problem and is why you should always carry a knife, if you can cut your way free it will save your life. Oh and seaweed will never tangle you up, i almost live in the stuff and its just not capable of it!
- Things that bite, cut or sting.. In the UK there are very few things that could cause you problems, Mako sharks do frequent our shores, and are big enough but ive only ever seen one and he didnt eat me, so thats a rarity. Weever fish are poisonous if stepped on but its much like a bee sting, and you will probally never see it. Other than that remember all fish have defences and should be handled with care, some have spines, or sharp scales, others may have stings. Luckily there is nothing in the UK i know of which is likely to put an end to you so general caution in handling things will save you from the odd cut or scrape.
-Spearguns.. These are dangerous weapons, and as such should be treated like a rifle at all times, never load one or have one loaded out of the water, dont point it at anything or anyone other than fish, know where your spear is going to go should you miss and keep your safety catch on at all times. Spearguns are easily capable of killing and will travel for huge distances if accidentally fired out of the water.
Law:
Currently spearfishing is a slight grey area although this is changing slowly.
The same laws apply to spearfishers as to commercial fishermen as to sizes and species of fish, shellfish and lobsters you may catch. Some areas also have fishing bans due to breeding or local limits, so always check what you can land, where you can catch it and how big it has to be.
Selling speared fish is also illegal, but why would you.. its too fresh and tasty!
Spearguns are currently not under any legislation so no licences are needed although reputable dealers wont sell to under 16's and police will treat is as a dangerous weapon. A good view to take is the same as knife law, if you have it for a valid reason in a valid place no problems, just dont take it to the pub!
Afternote..
Well thats it a brief..ish note on spearfishing in the UK just an overview really, any questions just ask, anyone interested in learning.. just ask.
I find spearfishing not only feeds you, it keeps you healthy, its ecologically sound especially compared to mass fishing/trawling and its great fun!
Should you catch dinner or not you can guarentee you will see something every trip that will stay in your mind forever.. some of my more memorable dives in the UK have included..
Playing fetch with a dolphin
Swimming with seals
Coming face to face with a 4m Mako shark
Swimming with a Basking Shark.. 8m long.
Swimming with a whale and its Calf
and a whole host of memories of underwater landscapes, wierd and wonderful creatures, sights sounds tastes...
Not to mention the friends, atmosphere, and relaxing free feeling it gives you.
Hope you enjoy.
Joe.. aka The Fish.
