|
Posted by seahunt on November 01, 2009 at 06:04:18:
In Reply to: So you want to be an underwater hunter? posted by JohnC on November 01, 2009 at 01:07:07:
That was then. This is now.
Once upon a time, game was abundent everywhere off the California Coast. There was so much
life in the sea, it seemed it could never be depleted, but it has been. The sad thing is
that so much damage was done by carelessness.
Hunting is exciting. It releases our ancient instincts and expands our senses to feel the
water and life around us. The problem is that there is no instinctive off switch to those
instincts and so hunting can be irresponsible. If you want to hunt now, it is best to recognise
the problems hunting has caused and other diver's sensitivities. Try to adjust your hunting to
fit both in with the ecological reality and with non-hunters sensibilities. Try to hunt where the masses of divers don't go. Forget the frontside of Catalina. Most divers
there are sightseeing and the hunting isn't great anyway. Try to get on boats to the outer
islands like San Nic or San Miguel. Going up the coast away from the masses of LA can be a good
idea.
Consider skipping sheephead. They are too easy a targets and they are very conspicuous. It is
the fish that is most noticable in its absense from the reef. They only taste so good anyway
and are local to the reef. Consider calicos or other bass. They are far more challenging to hunt
and better eating. Look for lings and other rockfish. In all cases, never take the small fish.
Let them grow up. If you like perch, go for it. They replace quickly.
Consider the real challenge and look into hunting halibut, yellowtail or white sea bass. Few
divers ever see these fish and they are real challenges as well as a great meal. Their populations
hold up far better than fish that are dependant on the limited areas of the kelp reefs. Never meat hunt. Never ever get in a spearfishing competition that competes based on number of
fish. Never get in a spear fish competition that is held at a popular dive site. Most of all never
hunt without awareness that there is a problem and that you must be responsible to husband the
resources of the sea. Enjoy the diving, seahunt
| 
