Dutch fishermen using tridents in the 17th century

Spearfishing is a form of fishing that has been popular the whole world over for centuries. Early civilizations are familiar with the custom of spearing fish out of rivers and streams using sharpened sticks as a means of catching food. The sport of spearfishing however involves holding one’s breath and sinking to great depths with the assistance of a weight belt. In place of a simple spear that would serve little purpose underwater, a spring-loaded speargun is used to strike the hunted fish. Spearfisherman have been known to hold their breath for durations of 2-4 minutes. By sinking to reefs and sunken wreckage (locations which larger fish normally occupy) spearfishing yields significantly larger catches than by the rod and reel method. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Fishing is the activity of hunting for fish. ... Groups Conodonta Hyperoartia Petromyzontidae (lampreys) Pteraspidomorphi (early jawless fish) Thelodonti Anaspida Cephalaspidomorphi (early jawless fish) Galeaspida Pituriaspida Osteostraci Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) Placodermi Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) Acanthodii Osteichthyes (bony fish) Actinopterygii (ray-finned fish) Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fish) Actinistia (coelacanths) Dipnoi (lungfish) A fish is a poikilothermic (cold-blooded)* water-dwelling... For the Second World War frigate class, see River class frigate The Murray River in Australia A waterfall on the Ova da Fedoz, Switzerland A river is a large natural waterway. ... The primary meaning of stream is a body of water, confined within a bed and banks and having a detectable current. ... Divers wear weighting systems, weight belts or weights, generally made of lead, to counteract the buoyancy of other diving equipment, such as diving suits and aluminium diving cylinders. ... Hunting spear and knife, from Mesa Verde National Park. ... Spearfishing is a form of fishing that has been popular the whole world over for centuries. ... Groups Conodonta Hyperoartia Petromyzontidae (lampreys) Pteraspidomorphi (early jawless fish) Thelodonti Anaspida Cephalaspidomorphi (early jawless fish) Galeaspida Pituriaspida Osteostraci Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) Placodermi Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) Acanthodii Osteichthyes (bony fish) Actinopterygii (ray-finned fish) Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fish) Actinistia (coelacanths) Dipnoi (lungfish) A fish is a poikilothermic (cold-blooded)* water-dwelling... A reef surrounding an islet. ... Groups Conodonta Hyperoartia Petromyzontidae (lampreys) Pteraspidomorphi (early jawless fish) Thelodonti Anaspida Cephalaspidomorphi (early jawless fish) Galeaspida Pituriaspida Osteostraci Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) Placodermi Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) Acanthodii Osteichthyes (bony fish) Actinopterygii (ray-finned fish) Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fish) Actinistia (coelacanths) Dipnoi (lungfish) A fish is a poikilothermic (cold-blooded)* water-dwelling... A fishing rod is a tool used to catch fish, usually for sport. ...

History

During the 1960s a campaign was led by Ralph Davies, to have spearfishing recognized as an Olympic sport. This never came to be. There is a long list of World Records for the largest catch by species carrying on to the current day. The International Underwater Spearfishing Association (IUSA) offers a complete set of rules to insure that any world record setting fish is caught under fair conditions. Spearfishing is illegal in many bodies of water, and some locations only allow spearfishing during certain seasons.

Modern-type sport spearfishing started on the French Riviera in the 1930's. At first they used no more aid than ordinary watertight swimming goggles, but it led to development of the modern scuba diver's mask and fins and snorkel. Some Italian sport spearfishers started using oxygen rebreathers, and from that came the Italian commando frogmen. The Promenade des Anglais in Nice on the French Riviera at night. ... Early ideas of autonomous under-water systems appear in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Scuba Diving is the use of independent breathing equipment to stay underwater for long periods for recreational diving and professional diving. ... Inspiration Closed Circuit Diving Rebreather Description A rebreather is a type of breathing equipment that provides a breathing gas containing oxygen and recycles exhaled gas. ... CGI image of two frogmen with Siebe Gorman CDBA rebreathers riding a human torpedo. ...

Spearfishing with breathing apparatus is disliked and in some countries illegal.

In tropical seas some natives spearfish in snorkelling kit for a living, often using home-made kit.

Spearguns have been described in at least one kit catalog intended to be read by armed forces diving organizations rather than by sport divers. That arouses a suspicion that there have been cases of spearguns being used as armed forces weapons.

External links

• Spearfishing World Record Rules
• International Underwater Spearfishing Association (IUSA)
• Spearfishing World Network