What foreign countries CAN you SCUBA-Shoot in?

[Steel Shootin']

It seems like almost every time you hear about spearfishing in a foreign country it is mentioned that you can only freedive, because it is illegal to shoot fish on SCUBA. So, it got me wondering: What foreign (i.e., non-U.S.) countries are you permitted to use SCUBA while harvesting fish?

I just want to know where potential vacation spots are! Hey, can I shoot in Scotland? That destination is high on my list!

[Platypus]

You can use SCUBA in some parts of Australia (Victoria is one state in Aus. I know you can use SCUBA to spearfish).

[richhermes]

Damn Aussies, They think they know everything!

[OceanEd]

Scott:

In the 17 years lived outside the USA and was diving, there were very few times I could use a tank and a gun. Almost all countries think the USA is crazy for letting people on SCUBA spear fish. I will be very interested to see if anyone else pops up and says you can do it.

Here's a thought for you. Do you think the USA might go the same way some day and limit spearfishing only to freedivers? Just give me 6 months notice so I can buy some stock in Speedo.

[Steel Shootin']

Here's a thought for you. Do you think the USA might go the same way some day and limit spearfishing only to freedivers? Just give me 6 months notice so I can buy some stock in Speedo.

I hope not. There is nothing wrong with recreational fishermen using our gear of choice. Gear which is responsible, not destructive of the environment, and has almost no by-catch.

[swimndive]

I think it has to do with the cost of enforcement. We live in a country with tremendous resources. We all pay to have people enforce our often complicted and sometimes convoluted laws. Other countries simply can't afford it. You have to laugh though when these countries will allow dynamite and poisons to be used, but still they say no to scuba. Funny in a sad way.

[Platypus]

Damn Aussies, They think they know everything!
:D That's right Champ-i-on! ;)

Forgot to mention that although you CAN shoot fish in Vic, Australia on SCUBA, you will have a hard time finding people to go with as they aren't too thrilled with the idea. But I know of a few guys down there they wouldn't have a problem with it.

[ErikY.]

In the Provinces in Canada where spearfishing is allowed (including West Coast BC), scuba is allowed. Ontario has no spearfishing at all.
Cheers,
Erik Y.

[Hank49]

I think it has to do with the cost of enforcement. We live in a country with tremendous resources. We all pay to have people enforce our often complicted and sometimes convoluted laws. Other countries simply can't afford it. You have to laugh though when these countries will allow dynamite and poisons to be used, but still they say no to scuba. Funny in a sad way.

I don't know of any country that allows dynamite or cyanide fishing. I lived in the Philippines for 11 years and they don't....but it goes on.....a lot. It's like you said. Enforcement.
I free dive spear in Belize and I scuba dive. Man, so many times on scuba I wish I had a gun. Why is that snappers let you get close on scuba but stay out of range most of the time when you're snorkeling? Especially the big ones.

[Steel Shootin']

Hank, I hear Belize is gorgeous. Are you from there, or are you an American living abroad? How do you like it there?

[Hank49]

Hank, I hear Belize is gorgeous. Are you from there, or are you an American living abroad? How do you like it there?

It sucks. Stay away from this place...Too many bugs....dirty stores...mountain lions...snakes..... :D I'm from the USA but have lived abroad chasing shrimp farming jobs for the last 18 years. I've been here for almost 6 years. It's fricken awesome. I hope to stay here the rest of my life. It's a fisherman's paradise for sure. Not bad diving too.

[Quetzal]

In the UK I here it is legal but frowned upon.http://www.spearboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17342

[IyaDiver]

In Indonesia you can scuba and spearfish, unless in national park. Dynamite & cynide fishing is not allowed but since enforcement is expensive and my country is so broke, probably only 20% of healthy coral left. However if you bring a speargun into Indonesia, you might get lots of question with Custom. If you are a foreigner, in most cases they will allow you.

In Hong Kong I know you can scuba and spear.

In Singapore you can too but the country is so small and water so murky, they need to come to Indonesian waters to do it. Here speargun ownership is almost similiar to fire arm, you need a licence. In fact you need to apply to Ammunition and Explosive department. The annual fee is expensive and you must pay some sort of fee everytime you leave the country with it, not cheap either, I think like US$150 or so. I have an Canadian friend who was working in Jakarta and later transfered to Singapore....he left his speargun with me... :D :D. Even when a tourist buys a speargun from Singapore, the police to deliver the speargun to the airport, you can't carry it and you got to pay for the escort.... :D Don't ever transit to Singapore and do not declare a speargun, if you get caught with it outside the airport....you will get ur a$$ whipped... :eek:

Malaysia is a bit grey area. In the 80's it was OK now I think spearfishing freedive or scuba is not allowed....unless you are VIP.. :D

In Dubai I know I did it, but I heard some people say it is not allowed. Anyhow I freedive and scuba there shooting fish and the Custom at the airport did not say anything about my speargun. The day I left Dubai my Riffe Torpedo Float was checked closely because of the lead in it...the officer thought it was gold... :rolleyes:.

IYA

[gxdoyle]

In Indonesia you can scuba and spearfish, unless in national park. Dynamite & cynide fishing is not allowed but since enforcement is expensive and my country is so broke, probably only 20% of healthy coral left. However if you bring a speargun into Indonesia, you might get lots of question with Custom. If you are a foreigner, in most cases they will allow you.

In Hong Kong I know you can scuba and spear.

In Singapore you can too but the country is so small and water so murky, they need to come to Indonesian waters to do it. Here speargun ownership is almost similiar to fire arm, you need a licence. In fact you need to apply to Ammunition and Explosive department. The annual fee is expensive and you must pay some sort of fee everytime you leave the country with it, not cheap either, I think like US$150 or so. I have an Canadian friend who was working in Jakarta and later transfered to Singapore....he left his speargun with me... :D :D. Even when a tourist buys a speargun from Singapore, the police to deliver the speargun to the airport, you can't carry it and you got to pay for the escort.... :D Don't ever transit to Singapore and do not declare a speargun, if you get caught with it outside the airport....you will get ur a$$ whipped... :eek:

Malaysia is a bit grey area. In the 80's it was OK now I think spearfishing freedive or scuba is not allowed....unless you are VIP.. :D

In Dubai I know I did it, but I heard some people say it is not allowed. Anyhow I freedive and scuba there shooting fish and the Custom at the airport did not say anything about my speargun. The day I left Dubai my Riffe Torpedo Float was checked closely because of the lead in it...the officer thought it was gold... :rolleyes:.

IYA

Selamat Pagi Pak Iya long time no cakap-cakap

I'm coming over to Indonesia in first two weeks of august - very keen to nail a doggie over there - got any suggestions.

[IyaDiver]

Hello Doyle,

How was the Cobia.....any success ?
I should be around in Jakarta at that time.
If you have two days off, I can take you to Ujung Kulon, the mouth of Sunda Straight where it meets the Indian Ocean...weather permitting. We can do day trip, 3 dives at least. It doesn't have to be on weekend, I am quite flexible.

Will PM you my regular email and mobile. Check it asap.

Cheers,
IYA

[jimbo]

Hi Guys, I hate to disagree with the post about spearfishing in Hong Kong but i spent a couple of tense hours on the runway surrounded by red Chinese regulars on the rfunway while they told me to surrender my Riffe Hawaiian or be jailed and brought up on charges by their legal dept. as my plane flew away.... There are signs in the HK airport showing contraband which have spearguns and dive knifes listed on them and I got an extra night there rearranging my flight so I would warn anyone else against it as they told me you need to have a special license to have a speargun there.

The funny thing is I was just transferring planes and it was in checked baggage so it was never in my possesion. They caught it in an xray of the baggage and pulled me off the plane.

In Regards to the person who speared in the Phillipines where were you and who did you go out with? I have been there spearing on 2 seperate trips and had a good time in Cebu which is in the middle Visayan islands.

Cheers
Jim

[IyaDiver]

Jimbo,

You are right, in Hong Kong you need a speargun licence to use and own one, the same goes for Malaysia. I just talked to divers over there last week. This means do not transit in this country with a speargun in your bag unless you declare and they can put it in the airport safe keeping until you leave the country. However the question by Scott is about if you can scuba and spear, not about ownership licence. Thanks for the update.

Philiphine should be loose on spearguns because fire arms are easily available so....


Cheers,
IYA

[jimbo]

IYA,

Yes i never had a problem in the Philippines with my speargun, just changing planes in HK on the way back. I wonder how hard it is to get a license in China and if they are even available to foreigners. Wouldn't want to be be caught with a dive knife either... I threw mine in the restroom garbage just in time before being searched on the way out of the airport. It had been in checked theough baggage which i had to pick up after i was pulled off the plane. Even after surrendering the speargun I wasn't guarenteed no legal problems it took a while to get outta there.

Regards,
Jim

[puravida]

I've just moved to the Philippines. Besides Cebu does anyone know of good spots to shoot and shops to gear up in the country?

[Cuda Sniper]

Barbados for sure. no restrictions on fishing type here