Spearfishing in the Club

[Dean]

Guys, why does it need to be in the diving code? The code is really short for a reason. Why can't you just make it the policy of the current committee?

On the other hand, if it's done right once then it doesn't have to become a topic for annual debate(?). Eitherway, I think it's a proactive step forward to develop some club guidelines to address the safety, legal & environmental concerns (with regards to spearfishing, etc).

This is the first year there's been any debate at all. The policy before was pretty much 'no spearing while there are divers in the water' and left at that. I support the idea that spears should be capped and unloaded when not used, but am perplexed as to why it has to be enshrined into the diving code?

Same with the 'no food trips' issue. If there is concern that the boats are being used for purely food trips to the exclusion of other activities, then the dive organiser, president and vice president/safety officer can veto the trips with the power they already have. If i were to continually organise 40+m dives (and there is nothing in the rules stopping me), I'd expect the committee to put a stop to it on the grounds of giving everyone a reasonable opportunity to dive. Same with food trips. As Andy says, what about start-of-season cray bashes? They're banned now? Even if, realistically, just as many people went to dive Phillip Island as to go for crays? Or do we go with sophistry and just rename them?

[Ozzy]

I just want to clarify my original post as my initial reaction was based around consistency/safety. If the club IS to put something in the dive code a) why can't it link with current fishery documentation to make it easier for members to find information (if the choose to look) and b) address the safety concerns of spearfishing as people do die from this sport each year? Why is it so 'wrong' for the club to take a written stance on this? I agree with Andy that spearfishing is very much a lawful activity but if they choose to opt for consistency i.e. no spearing on scuba (as the laws across the states of Australia are divided), why is this to be derided? As for dedicated fishing trips, I agree that this needs a re-think given almost every club trip (that I know of at least) has involved some type of fishing.

[BrettRobo]

My views are (not that i have been a member for long) there are some GREAT dives that happen to be on Crayfish grounds.
Each dive should be up for discussion from the interested parties. If even 1 of the potential 8 divers on the boat is going along for a scenic dive then the agenda should be adjusted accordingly.
Dive sites like Portsea Back Beaches are borderline “cray only” territory and not all that interesting/beautiful scenery wise(however there are sections that are exceptions and should be treated as such if a non gathering party wants to dive the location). Where as Castle rock/Canberra/Popes eye are scenery only.
We are all Adults here and im sure in 99.99% of cases a location can be decided to cater for all parties.
Yes, there should be some guidelines that are written down however these should be around the “fair” methods of choosing dive sites. I LOVE diving on Lonsdale wall as it provides a beautiful dive with the added bonus of a potential Cray. (outside the zone of course)
I will never choose turn down a dive due to no potential for “gathering” and i think that most of the divers here are the same, we dive because we love diving not because its a source of Yummy food.

As for Safety concerns around Spearfishing, unloaded gun, no scuba with guns (not slings) and not while divers are in the water (these are my views anyway).
Im sure if there was a spearo on board and we had finished the dive it would be no hair off anyone’s chest if he/she went for a 15-20min dip while we stowed away the gear/prep the boat before departure.

Again, i don’t know the views of this club/committee and hope im not stepping on any toes here

[Alana]

Why are people playing with a set of club rules that have been in place and working for longer than they have been diving?

If there are divers in the water, no Spear fishing till they are all on the boat. It can be logical people.

[Hugh Brown]

I like what Andrew H is saying,

In my peronal opinion spearfishing is NOT anymore dangerous than using your dive knife under water, you do not require a license or any training to use one. Perhaps most of the reason people get upset is because of the stigma behind 'Gun', when in reality its just a big sharp stick.

Up until now we have been abiding by the law of common sense there has been no issues thus far. Perhaps the only legitimate club rule that would be needed to keep the peace between the two collding groups here is to have no spearing in the water when people are diving. (Taking a sling down whilst scalloping I think is legit only if others in the water dont object, if they were going to the effort of scallops they'd want a flatty too...common sense and courtesy)

As Andrew mentioned, the club is not specifically only for just scuba and the interestes of all members should be given equal weighting, with both parties doing there up most to accomadate the other. Restricitng the use of club boats against food trips when they would other wise be rusting in the shed doesn't make a huge amount of sense to me.

[Alana]

So, following this discussion, what decision has been made by the committee re:the dive code and spear fishing?

[LukeC]

As per my previous post, the diving code will be updated taking into consideration everyones opinion and released for review. Just to be clear, the code WILL be updated, that part is not up for discussion, there are clearly some gaps that need clarification. What I do need Is plenty of good suggestions which we have which is good. Sorry for the delay sending it out, last couple weeks have been mad, stay tuned.

[Andrew H]

Perhaps YOU should identify these gaps to all first.

It would be a shame to update the dive code with ill-considered and retrograde actions.

[BrettRobo]

hey hey,

calm down all

1. as stated it seems rules ARE going to be updated
2. they haven changed yet and the committee are going about it the right way so far by placing them up for all to see/discuss.

my suggestion would be to hold a full club meeting to discuss the rules.
some sort of poll/vote for each section should be made but thats a democracy with all the club members instead of the just the committee.
A committee should represent the clubs best interests for both the safety of its members (which is evident in the rules posted so far) but also in the direction of the club based on its evolving members.

lets just sit tight and when new info comes to hand voice our concerns and hope that the committee are taking into consideration the above points

[Alana]

Before making vague and sweeping changes to the dive code I would suggest running it by all members and THE LEGALS.

Put all potential changes to club rules on the website so they can be debated fairly (and publicly).

Updates to club rules where appropriate should always be encouraged.