NO spearfishing in Avalon (Catalina) waters

This past summer out in Avalon I have observed several spearfishers in areas which are off limits to this activity. A number of them were right in the swimming area of Descanso Beach, and another attempted to enter the water at the Casino Point Dive Park with a spear gun.

I stopped one of the spearos in the Descanso swim area and nicely told him that spearfishing was illegal in City of Avalon waters. He told me that was not the case north of the Casino. However, he was wrong. City waters extend from Casino Point to include Hamilton Cove. I must admit I was astounded that he would be carrying a high powered speargun within an area roped off for swimmers. However, he was very civil. The other spearos I observed in the swim area where younger and carried Hawaiian slings.

I was told that one individual attempted to enter the Casino Point Dive Park with a spear gun. When confronted by divers, he replied that since the MLPA was not yet in effect it was legal to spearfish in the park. He was absolutely wrong on that issue. The park is in city waters and spearfishing is not allowed regardless of the status of the MLPA implementation.

With the vast majority of the 54-mile shoreline along Catalina Island, the closure of a few small areas to spearfishing due to the City ordinance or existing marine reserves, I wonder why anyone considers spearfishing in areas designated and roped off for swimmers, snorkelers and SCUBA divers? Oh, that's right... access and ease.

I have nothing against those who hunt legally. My son does and several of my dive buddies do. However, I think it is important that those who spearfish understand the rules regarding that activity in City waters and around the island.

are there any signs up doc, and if so are they facing water and shore, or is the areas in the fish reg book.

Well there seems to be only 2 months left in which this unclear city ordinance becomes MPA clear. Why would the state even haggle, spend all this money to trump over city water that already has an ordinace prohibiting fishing, spearing, or bug collecting in the city's water. This makes the claim so weird. Like the bug hunting by locals or not, in the park has been a respect factor for the dive park being a "dive park." I've heard all sorts of stories by divers who claim it's a DFG, City of Avalon violation etc. in hopes to keep bug hunters away...Bill probably knows the City deal, and has heard the years of speculation. Well in 2 more months, I'll bet some state signs are posted! At least at the dive park! Making it DFG's regulated water. Has anyone seen Oscar lately?

Just wondering how many are spearing with boat, and know one seeing them do it, as they can say did not see it posted. So yes ease of entry is why most will try it. It really only takes a small inflatable or kayak to get you to a legal fishing zone.

The city ordinance does NOT prohibit rod-and-reel fishing or the take of lobster in City waters, only spearfishing (under ordinance 303 implemented back in the 1960s). If it prohibited fishing, perhaps the party boat we see intensively fishing reefs in City waters with up to about 100 anglers would be driven away.

As far as bug hunting in the dive park, most of the activity I've seen has been by mainland hunters. It is the poaching there, weeks before season even opens, that concerns me the most. Of course the locals may be entering those waters after I'm through with my night dives.

As for signs being posted, there are none that I am aware of. However, spear fishers are expected to be aware of the rules when they engage in that activity. It is their responsibility to know what they can take, what sizes are legal and where they can take game. Most spearos are very good about this.

I would think common sense would tell someone that spearfishing inside a roped off swim area where children are present is not a wise idea regardless... especially when there are locations outside the designated swim area where spearfishing would be more appropriate. The vast majority of spearos would not think about indulging in their activity in such areas. Fortunately it is only a few who don't seem to have their brains turned on. Please understand, this is not a diatribe against spearos... only the few who violate the rules. I was once a spearo myself, my son is now and several of my buddies are too.

As for Oscar... I have seen four "Oscars" all swimming in a single file over Little Casino Reef. The one most people refer to as Oscar has a broken front "canine" tooth, but the other three are of similar size. It has been rumored that the one that used to hang around the wreck of the Valiant may have been taken.

Thanks for making that extemely crystal clear Dr. Bill!

Thanks for posting Dr Bill.

I do find it sad though that some divers are dumb enough or mean enough to attempt to enter the dive park with a spear gun. One of the attractions to me of the park is that the critters are semi-tame and allow divers to get closer than normal. Taking advantage of this is very poor sportsmanship not to mention the danger in a crowded location.

Dr Bill can u explain the MLPA in laymen terms? No more lobster diving or fishing at all on Catalina? No More on Laguna?

The MLPA only restricts take in the designated MPAs (marine protected areas), and only those which are specifically non-take MPAs. There are relatively few of them that will go into effect out here on the island come Jan 1st. Only two on the windward side and the ones on the leeward side include two very small ones (the dive park and Lover's cove which have essentially been off limits anyway). The vast majority of Catalina's coast is still open to take even after the new MPAs become law on January 1st.