In Reply to: Re: Attitude? posted by XOX on September 17, 2005 at 10:49:06:

As one who has dived my home (Catalina) off-and-on for the last 36 years, I can say that spear fishing is not the major cause for the decline in fish stocks. Look at the charter fishing boats (party boats) that come out to the island. They may have as many as 100 fishers on board and sit at a site for an hour or more. Such a high density of fishers can reduce a local population in no time.

I do believe the argument that spearos raise about spear fishing being more selective and targeted than much of the commercial fishing activity (gill nets, long lines, etc) is true. I see nothing wrong with legal take by spear fishing, with some additional ethical concerns added in. I stopped taking anything 30 years ago for strictly personal reasons, but have nothing against those who do.

We also have to acknowledge that even no-take divers affect the ecology of a location. The Casino Point dive park is a good example. Before it became overly popular (in the days before the stairs were created), there were more fish like horn sharks, guitarfish, etc. You can still find them in adjacent areas like Descanso Beach where divers are not present with any frequency. We all impact the environment, whether by take or by just our presence.