Laws In Spearfishing

B

BarrelRoll

Contributor

Messages

159

Reaction score

0

Location

Dallas

# of dives

0 - 24

• Mar 23, 2010

• #1

I did a couple of searches, both on SB and through Google, and I can't find anything other than very specific, regional websites that cover what is legal and where.

Can anyone give me a brief run-down on spear-fishing and the laws surrounding it?

I was always under the impression that spear fishing is only legal while snorkeling, and was rather surprised to find this section and read about people using SCUBA while fishing. It's a sport I'd love to get into, I just never gave it much thought since I thought it was only for snorkeling.

 

JPENDERGRAST

Contributor

Messages

410

Reaction score

1

Location

Memphis, TN

# of dives

100 - 199

• Mar 24, 2010

• #2

Depends on where you are. It is illegal to spearfish using scuba in most countries, but not everywhere in the U.S. Some say Hawaiians frown on using scuba, but I've speared there twice with locals, both times on scuba.

 

Johnoly

Contributor

Messages

4,015

Reaction score

5,482

# of dives

2500 - 4999

• Mar 24, 2010

• #3

BarrelRoll:

Can anyone give me a brief run-down on spear-fishing and the laws surrounding it?

Click to expand...

What town specifically would you be departing from?

 

SkimFisher

Contributor

Messages

834

Reaction score

37

Location

Tampa, FL

• Mar 24, 2010

• #4

Check with your local fish & wildlife agency.

 

OP

B

BarrelRoll

Contributor

Messages

159

Reaction score

0

Location

Dallas

# of dives

0 - 24

• Mar 24, 2010

• #5

Johnoly:

What town specifically would you be departing from?

Click to expand...

I live in Dallas, so it's not exactly a specific location sort of thing.

From the responses, though, I'm assuming it varies greatly depending on location.

 

carrielsal

Contributor

Scuba Instructor

Divemaster

Messages

1,690

Reaction score

4

Location

Austin, TX

# of dives

500 - 999

• Mar 24, 2010

• #6

Texas regs, TPWD: Legal Freshwater and Saltwater Devices and Restrictions for Fish.

Spear:
Any shaft with single or multiple points, barbed or barbless, which may be propelled by any means, but does not include arrows.
May be used to take NONGAME fish only.
Spear Gun:
Any hand operated device designed and used for propelling a spear, but does not include the crossbow.
May be used to take NONGAME fish only.

This page has links for for all 50 states, http://worldspearfishing.com/regulations.php.