Codes of Practice
Prepared with assistance of many contributors – Version February 2022
0ur beaches, headlands, reefs and harbours are extremely popular with a wide variety of user groups, including anglers, swimmers, surfers, SCUBA divers, picnickers, walkers and local residents. While spearfishers have the same rights of enjoyment as everyone else, they also have a responsibility to be considerate of other user groups in choosing when, where and how to go diving. Community views on spearfishing tend to be highly polarized, and while there will always be plenty of people who will admire a successful spearfisher as he or she wades ashore, there will also be others who take a less positive view – and it tends to be only the complaints that receive attention. Remember, a single complaint can easily outweigh the good of many compliments.
Below are some specific tips on how to behave around other user groups:
- Always follow the ‘first in first served’ principle and respect the right of anglers, swimmers, other users or spearfishers who are in an area before you arrive.
- If you think there may be a potential conflict, talk to the other users if possible. Often a quick courteous conversation can avoid misunderstanding and ill-feeling.
- Keep well away from SCUBA divers. They are there to enjoy the fish life; but are limited in how far they can travel underwater – you can always spearfish somewhere further along the reef.
- Never intrude on the fishing activity of any land or boat-based anglers. If you need to swim past some anglers on the shore, try to establish how they are fishing, and swim past or around them accordingly. If in doubt, ask them. They might be fishing in close for various species, in which case you can swim wide around them without spooking the fish; conversely if they are casting wide, they probably won’t mind you passing beneath their feet.
- Do not enter the water close to other boats already around a FAD (Fish Attraction Device) and be prepared to take turns to accommodate new arrivals. Check out the local State / Territories FAD’s Code of Conduct if such exists.
- Keep well clear of areas crowded with swimmers or surfers regardless of what fish might be also there. If you must pass through such areas, always unload your gun and cover your spearhead. If you wish to fish in such areas, go early morning or late afternoon when fewer people are about.
- Respect the feelings of others who may be frightened or intimidated by your appearance and the gun / spear you may be carrying.
- Carry your gun / spear in a lightweight Lycra style bag or wrapping when in populated areas and avoid beaches, walkways, promenades etc. Keep your gear in your car when not going to or from water entry point.
- Enter the water away from other water users, swimmers or snorkelers. Avoid going close to others whilst in the water and never allow your gun / spear to point at anyone. Look around constantly to avoid being to close.
- Never interfere with other’s fishing gear, equipment or catches – and this includes lobster pots, fish traps and fish farm cages. Remember it is an offence to interfere with commercial fishing gear and fines apply.
- Avoid, where possible, confrontational types of behavior when spearfishing or when entering or leaving the water. WALK AWAY FROM CONFLICT.
- Try to be an ambassador for the sport – always be courteous to anyone who approaches you, even if their views do not agree with your own. Never ever show aggression or deliberately intimidate others.
User perception is very important to the future of spearfishing. By adopting the above practices and spreading the word, you can help ensure that the sport has a viable future. The message for spearfishing is simple: “BE RESPONSIBLE OR WE’LL ALL BE GONE”
Cover of Australian Skindiving and Spearfishing Digest advertising the Anglers vs Spearos Competition, 1958. This competition started in 1952 and later became the Canada Cup. NSW Central Coast
Australian Underwater Federation - Spearfishing 