Diving from Your Own Boat in the Caribbean

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Ram

One thing I might add about spearing in the Bahamas-

It seems to me, that you presented the police with a smoking gun (compressor running as you clean fish). What would you have suspected?
As it turns out, there was no crime; and no prosecution/punnishment.
And they lived happily ever after...

[YOGAO]

Originally Posted by GordMay

It seems to me, that you presented the police with a smoking gun (compressor running as you clean fish).

You guys are a tough audience...

It seems to me that the police were presented with circumstantial evidence that required additional investigation. The police were unwilling to investigate further.

Fair Winds,
Mike

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by YOGAO

You guys are a tough audience...

It seems to me that the police were presented with circumstantial evidence that required additional investigation. The police were unwilling to investigate further.

Fair Winds,
Mike

Yep.

And I will go one further to suggest that they were not just doing their job and enforcing the law as much as acquiring a nice new compressor.

Do they have a storage facility before public auctions for seized items?

Or even laws that address that type of issue?

[Ram]

Originally Posted by GordMay

It seems to me, that you presented the police with a smoking gun (compressor running as you clean fish). What would you have suspected?
As it turns out, there was no crime; and no prosecution/punnishment.
And they lived happily ever after...

I expected nothing, as I did nothing illegal ,or so I thought- but I would do things a bit different today-
Oh yes they wanted that compressor thats for sure, to sell or use!

[barnakiel]

Well,

Diving is one thing spearfishing, fishing, is another.

Then again, why not simply sell licenses for spearfishing, provided there is enough fish for everybody and the place is not a natural (fish) reserve?

Then simply enforce the law and have every trespasser pay a hefty fine.

b.

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Have no fear. One does not dive in the vicinity of GI III with a thin skin.

Personally have no illusions and agree with the common opinion that GI is, how should I say it, a controversial person with an online presence that can be incendiary and who does not suffer fools gladly. He would get booted off this forum in about half a nanosecond.

I do think that 99% of his diving opinions are quite valid and following his lead I feel made me capable of doing some pretty advanced dives quite safely. But there is 1% (maybe more) that I think is BS or just over the edge. You do have to admire the results. Under his leadership and the ongoing adherence to his "rules" there has never been a fatality or serious accident in the project where every other group that I can think of has managed to lose at least one diver in Wakulla.

Yeah I guess you would need some thick skin to dive with him. Wasn't he actually booted from SB a few years back? It is a great system, that unfortunately sometimes gets a little bit of a bad wrap, due to a minority of extremists...usually noobs who just finished fundies, throwing rants on the internet. I was thinking of at least taking the class, until I started training on a death machine.

Did get a few free lessons when setting up next to one of Bob Sherwood's classes, though.

You do know there's not many caves in the ocean?

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Spearfishing: Hawaiian sling is the only approved spearfishing device

Really! So, even pole spears aren't allowed? They function almost the same as a Hawaiian sling.

[Ram]

Originally Posted by grunzster

Really! So, even pole spears aren't allowed? They function almost the same as a Hawaiian sling.

We used to use pole spears, has there been a change in this law?

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by Ram

We used to use pole spears, has there been a change in this law?

I don't know. I was asking?

Forget just diving from your own boat. I think we need to start a strange scuba and snorkeling laws around the world thread.

BTW - Is there any place where you are actually allowed to spear fish on scuba? Seems like the NE US is the only place where it is allowed. Of course we're only allowed to catch bugs with our bare hands.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by grunzster

Really! So, even pole spears aren't allowed? ...

Pole spears ARE allowed, with endorsement.

The Bahamas do not allow any type of triggered spear gun.

A person wishing to use a spear should put this on their application form, for the sports fishing permit. Permission may be granted by the officer issuing the permit for the use of a spear with a hand held sling, referred to as a Hawaiin sling in The Bahamas, or a pole spear. When permission is granted for the use of a spear, this must be endorsed in writing on the permit by the issuing officer.

For more information, contact:

Department of Marine Resources
Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources
P.O. Box N-3028
Nassau, The Bahamas
Email: fisheries@bahamas.gov.bs

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Ram

I expected nothing, as I did nothing illegal ,or so I thought- but I would do things a bit different today-
Oh yes they wanted that compressor thats for sure, to sell or use!

FWIW:
"... Possession of lobsters and scuba gear on the same boat can be construed as a violation, regardless of how you caught the lobsters, according to the Ministry of Tourism. So don’t venture out in the tender with a couple folks who just want to scuba dive and watch. Keep the dive gear on the yacht, and only have snorkel gear with you in the tender ...”

➥ What’s the easiest way to catch Bahamian lobster? | Bahamas Yacht Charters

I’m not trying to pick a fight, nor accuse Ram of any wrong doing.
I just want to point out how things may have looked “suspicious” to the police.

[Ram]

Originally Posted by GordMay

FWIW:
"... Possession of lobsters and scuba gear on the same boat can be construed as a violation, regardless of how you caught the lobsters, according to the Ministry of Tourism. So don’t venture out in the tender with a couple folks who just want to scuba dive and watch. Keep the dive gear on the yacht, and only have snorkel gear with you in the tender ...”

➥ What’s the easiest way to catch Bahamian lobster? | Bahamas Yacht Charters

The trouble with this is, when I return to the Yacht I bring the lobsters onboard to eat and the scuba gear also so its all in the same boat again- what to do?

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Ram

The trouble with this is, when I return to the Yacht I bring the lobsters onboard to eat and the scuba gear also so its all in the same boat again- what to do?

Catch 22 ...

For more information, contact:

Department of Marine Resources
Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources
P.O. Box N-3028
Nassau, The Bahamas
Email: fisheries@bahamas.gov.bs

[off-the-grid]

Would be MUCH easier for both cruisers and for the police to enforce (fairly), if they would just allow spear fishing on scuba, but not allow spearing of lobster. Just like in the US.

To correct my last post, I believe spearing on scuba is allowed in the entire US. But spearing of lobster isn't. And up North, where they have claws, most states don't even allow snares. You have to just grab them by hand.

Be sure not to take ‘em too small and definitely don’t cheat and use air. Not just for legality sake, but this is how the population is preserved and why there are still spiny lobster to be had in the Bahamas.

If this was really true, lobster would be extinct in the entire state of Florida. Referring to the on air part, not the taking them too small.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by Ram

The trouble with this is, when I return to the Yacht I bring the lobsters onboard to eat and the scuba gear also so its all in the same boat again- what to do?

That is the part about whether they like your scuba gear, spears and/or lobster.................or you.