What is Spearfishing?

Spearfishing, also known as underwater hunting or harpooning, is a traditional method of catching fish. Although spearfishing is banned in Switzerland, it has a long tradition in many cultures, especially in the Mediterranean region of Europe. Popular destinations for spearfishing include Italy, France, and Croatia.

Pros and Cons of Spearfishing

Spearfishing is controversial. The seas are considered overfished, and like hunting, some people condemn the killing of animals for sport. On the other hand, fish is a valuable food source, and spearfishing is the most eco-friendly and sustainable method of catching fish. There is no unwanted bycatch, and ecosystems are not excessively strained, unlike commercial fishing with trawl nets. Because the prey is selected before the shot, no undersized animals are harmed.

How Difficult is Spearfishing?

Many people, especially SCUBA divers, underestimate the difficulty of spearfishing. While fish generally show little fear of divers and approach out of curiosity, marine creatures behave completely differently towards spearfishers. Fish are constantly surrounded by predators and have learned through evolution to distinguish between peaceful fish and predators. They can also sense whether a predator is approaching with hostile intent or behaving passively.

Spearfishing Equipment

Before embarking on your spearfishing adventure and hunting for a substantial sarago or bass, it is important to have the right equipment. You will need one or preferably two spearguns: a longer speargun about 100-120 cm in length for hunting in open areas, and a shorter speargun of 70-90 cm for shooting fish in caves and rock crevices. A knife is necessary to quickly and painlessly kill the fish after the shot, as the shot is rarely immediately fatal. A fish stringer is used to attach your catch to your weight belt. A flashlight helps to spot fish in dark caves.

You can also use an old, worn-out freediving open-cell wetsuit for spearfishing. However, hiding behind rocks and lying on the seabed puts a lot of strain on the material, and your old suit will soon have holes and tears. It is worth getting a special spearfishing suit in camouflage colors, with a chest pad and possibly a urine relief system (a neoprene tube for urinating during long spearfishing sessions).

The rest of the equipment