Here's the latest diving controversy grabbing headlines here in San Diego:
Spearing of huge sea bass sparks outcry from divers
A protected species speared within a protected underwater reserve, in sight of lifeguards. What were they thinking??
[A little personal anecdote: One of the divers quoted in the above article is a guy I haven't seen since high school! Small (diving) world, I guess.]
Giant Sea Bass killed in San Diego
Started by
ShamuLovesMe
, Apr 26 2005 08:19 AM
48 replies to this topic
#1
ShamuLovesMe
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 08:19 AM
#2
Seawitch
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 08:32 AM
He felt threatened by a bass? What the....?
Senseless killing. What I really would like to say is not printable in here,
Senseless killing. What I really would like to say is not printable in here,
"The battle of the sexes cannot be won; there is too much fraternization with the enemy" - Henry Kissinger
#3
drdiver
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 08:37 AM
Threatened? Sure......... He got caught. That's what happened.
What a jerk.
What a jerk.
There are old divers and there are bold divers, but there ain't no old, bold divers.
#4
WillDiveForBeer
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 09:05 AM
Good thing he got caught. I've always wanted to try a spear gun, think I can try one out on the poachers?
-Mike-
-Mike-
#5
Tolly
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 09:10 AM
Morons.... 
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#6
bluedolphin
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 09:26 AM
I find it hard to believe they did not know they were in a preserve, ignorance is no excuse in this situaiton, gotta know the laws, I am sure he knew exactly what he was doing. Glad he got caught, hope the gets the maximum penalty.
BlueD (a true fish hugger), and not afraid to amdit it.
BlueD (a true fish hugger), and not afraid to amdit it.
Happy Diving
Linda
Linda
#7
GentDiver
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 09:45 AM
Tolly, I couldn't have said it better!!!
Scott
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Scott
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- Albert Einstein
"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'."
- Yoda ('The Empire Strikes Back')
"And the trees are all kept equal by hatch, axe, and saw"
- Rush (The Trees)
#8
Walter
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 09:51 AM
Let's assume, for the sake of discussion, that:
1. He wasn't aware he was in the preserve where spearfishing is illegal and...
2. He did feel threatened by the fish.
When threatened by a large fish, you can ethically kill it given no other recourse. If you do kill it in such a situation, you do not put it on your boat, you leave it on the bottom.
I'm not familiar with this particular species, but I do know similar species in the Atlantic (Jewfish) will get extremely aggressive around spearing. OTOH, while I do know folks who've been bumped and who've had their catch stolen, I don't know of anyone who's felt they had to shoot one in self defense. I see no excuse for these actions.
1. He wasn't aware he was in the preserve where spearfishing is illegal and...
2. He did feel threatened by the fish.
When threatened by a large fish, you can ethically kill it given no other recourse. If you do kill it in such a situation, you do not put it on your boat, you leave it on the bottom.
I'm not familiar with this particular species, but I do know similar species in the Atlantic (Jewfish) will get extremely aggressive around spearing. OTOH, while I do know folks who've been bumped and who've had their catch stolen, I don't know of anyone who's felt they had to shoot one in self defense. I see no excuse for these actions.
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DSSW,
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#9
ShamuLovesMe
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 10:30 AM
The La Jolla underwater preserve is very, very well known to anyone in the dive community in San Diego, even to visitors. Yes, extremely hard to believe he didn't know he was in it.I find it hard to believe they did not know they were in a preserve, ignorance is no excuse in this situaiton, gotta know the laws, I am sure he knew exactly what he was doing.
#10
Seawitch
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 10:50 AM
The maximum penalty does not seem severe enough...Glad he got caught, hope the gets the maximum penalty.
Where is a shark when you need one,
"The battle of the sexes cannot be won; there is too much fraternization with the enemy" - Henry Kissinger
#11
bluedolphin
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 10:57 AM
Volky, you are correct, but sadly he can't be given more the the maximum penalty legally....then again he wasn't very legal himselfThe maximum penalty does not seem severe enough...Glad he got caught, hope the gets the maximum penalty.
Where is a shark when you need one,
Happy Diving
Linda
Linda
#12
Dive_Girl
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 10:59 AM
my thoughts exactly....If you do kill it in such a situation, you do not put it on your boat, you leave it on the bottom....
It's Winter time - you know you're a diver when you're scraping ice off your windshield INSIDE your vehicle...!
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Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#13
steelemagnolia6
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 11:03 AM
hummmm is it illegal to speargun poacher in a protected marine reserve???? and if not how do I get a permit???
Kay
Life is a matter of luck, and the odds in favor of success are in no way enhanced by extreme caution... Erich Topp WW II U Boat Commander
Life is a matter of luck, and the odds in favor of success are in no way enhanced by extreme caution... Erich Topp WW II U Boat Commander
#14
ShamuLovesMe
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 11:24 AM
It is only legal to spear poachers WITHIN a preserve (no permit required).hummmm is it illegal to speargun poacher in a protected marine reserve???? and if not how do I get a permit???
#15
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Posted 26 April 2005 - 12:03 PM
Is there a limit to how many you can take, and when is their season exactly. Just in case, I would just like to be prepared. Also, how are they measured?? Is it something to do with the angle of their head up their a$$? 
Rick
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"We've got a blind date with Destiny - and it looks like she's ordered the lobster."
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USAF (Ret.)
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"We've got a blind date with Destiny - and it looks like she's ordered the lobster."
- The Shoveller (Mystery Men)
When in doubt, just call 1-800-829-0433
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