Need input..........

[Screen Name]

this is a letter that I am drafting to send to Padi. I want it to be as effective as possible, so I would apreciate any input you may have before I send it.

Thanks.

John and Lisa Schmidt
Cert #88200508 and
26 Cypress Dr.
Palm Harbor, FL

Dear Padi:

My wife and I have been avid hook and line anglers and spearfishermen for over 20 years.

Our question is this: Why do you, our certifying agency, not support our right to spearfish? Restrictions unfairly targeting spearfishermen have happened for years and are happening around us today, but I have never seen you lift a finger in our favor. Do you not think that spearfishing is the most challenging and most selective way to fish? Do you not believe that where fishing is allowed, spearfishing must be allowed? Do you not feel that fishing restrictions should apply to everyone, equally? Or do you feel that hook and line, bandit rigs, longlining, traps, and nets are better for the resource? Is it the philosophy of Padi that people should not harvest fish, and all Padi people have sworn off seafood?

What is your position as my certifying agency on these issues? Please advise as to whether you are supporting or fighting the effort eliminate spearfishing, while permitting other types of fishing on Grays Reef in Georgia, the Florida Middlegrounds, and the Elbow in the Gulf of Mexico. We are also interested in your position on the effort to construct a case to unnecessarily further restrict the harvest of Hogfish in Florida, which as you know, targets spearfisherman.

We hope to find that we are terribly mistaken, and you are exerting all of your influence to make fishing fair to divers.

John and Lisa Schmidt
26 Cypress Dr.
Palm Harbor, FL

[OceanEd]

John:

You might want to send a copy to Mike Kurczewski at Mikek@PADI.COM. Mike is the PADI Regional Manager for much of Florida. I am sure he would discuss the matter with you and lay out PADI's policy.

I spent 15 years as a Regional Manager for PADI, but I was in charge of Europe, Scandanavia, Africa, Middle East, and parts of Asia. I can't advise you as to PADI's USA policy because I lived and worked outside America. However, I would be surprised if PADI was anti spearfishing. In my years working for PADI and my 27 years as a Course Director for PADI I never heard any discussions that indicated that PADI was actively against spearfishing.

You also might want to contact Jed Livingston at NAUI. Jed is second in charge at NAUI. If you are hoping to get more visibility for the problem and enlist the help of the diving organizations, talk to more that just PADI.

I used to be a NAUI Instructor Trainer in the 1970's and I am still a NAUI instructor. Once again, I have never heard anyone that works directly for NAUI say anything that would lead me to believe that they were actively opposed to spearfishing.

[junior]

Sounds pretty good John. You might consider that PADI may be unaware of any efforts to limit spearfishing and try to tone down any accusatory feel to the letter. Gently informing them that a diving user group is getting the shaft might be more persuasive.

PADI's primary focus is dive training. If people are dissuaded from diving because they know that spearfishing is no longer allowed, this may be more influential on their stance or action.

I think it is a great idea to pool the resources of the diving public and businesses to create a louder and broader voice. What about the following organizations? Perhaps some of them can be brought to our side.

The American League of Anglers and Boaters includes the American Fisheries Society
American Recreation Coalition
American Sportfishing Association
American Watercraft Association
Aquatic Resources Educators Association
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
Bass Anglers Sportsman Society/ESPN
Boat Owners Association of the U.S.
Boating Trades Association of Texas
Brunswick Corporation
Coast Guard Auxiliary Association
Coastal Conservation Association
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
Greater Coalition for Boating Safety
International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Izaak Walton League of America
Marina Operators Association of America
Marine Retailers Association of America
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
National Boating Federation
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Recreation and Park Association
National Safe Boating Council
Personal Watercraft Industry Association
Pure Fishing
Recreational Fishing Alliance
Sail America
States Organization for Boating Access
National Water Safety Congress
Trout Unlimited
United States Power Squadrons
and U.S. Sailing Association.


Obviously, many of these have nothing to do with spearfishing. But, I think the important thing to focus on is to try and make our cause the same cause as the hook and line fisherman. After all, we purchase the same products and utilize the same resources.

[Denny]

Not being "actively opposed to spearfishing" is a looong way from supporting the sport.
Good job, Screen. Way to open a few eyes. ALL of the certifying agencies should support spearfishing rights AT ALL TIMES.
Here come the emails....

[Steel Shootin']

I agree with Junior. It's sounds too accusatory, and needs to be toned down. That is, unless there is some statement by PADI that I have missed that supports restrictions on spearfishing. However, if your grievance is just that they have not been active, then you would want your letter to be informative and persuasive. Making accusations at this point defeats the purpose, IMO.

[Ed Walker]

Yep me too. Little harsh if you're looking for friends/allies.

[Screen Name]

Dear PADI:

My wife and I have been avid hook and line anglers and spearfishermen for over 20 years.
Our question is this: Why is there no visible effort by PADI to protect our rights as Spearfisherman and to promote the sport? Restrictions unfairly targeting spearfishermen have happened for years and are happening around us today, but I am unaware of any effort PADI makes on our behalf. Let me suggest some reasons why I believe PADI should actively support spearfishing:
• Spearfishing is the most challenging and most selective way to fish.
• Hook and line, bandit rigs, longlining, traps, and nets are not better for the resource.
• There are already many regulations that restrict spearfishing, the least efficient method, while these other methods are permitted.
• Many Marine Sanctuaries prohibit spearfishing while permitting other types of fishing.
• Spearfishermen are the most active divers.
• The cost per fish is far greater with Spearfishing and the economic consequences greater per fish.
• Where fishing is allowed, spearfishing must be allowed.
• Fishing restrictions should apply to everyone, equally. This includes catch limits and size limits.
Please advise what plans PADI has to protect the rights of Diving Fishermen on the following issues:
• The effort to eliminate spearfishing, while permitting other types of fishing on Grays Reef in Georgia.
• The effort to eliminate Spearfishing in the Florida Middlegrounds.
• The effort to eliminate Spearfishing in the Elbow area in the Gulf of Mexico.
• The effort to restrict Hogfish catch limits in Florida further than the already significant restrictions. Hogfish are taken primarily by spearfishermen and represent a very small fraction of fish harvested.
We hope to find that PADI will genuinely exert all of their influence to make fishing fair to divers.

Sincerely,

[mpick]

Screen
I think you are on the right track. I applaud your initiative. If I may, I would suggest that you include some language explaining that spearfishermen usually, at least in my case, acquire the most certs for recreational divers. That, PADI, as a certifying agency should support the rights of any group of divers that would enlist their services. Afterall, how long would a certifying agency exist if diving regulations get so stringent that nobody wants to dive anymore.
I understand the frustration that exist and the effort it takes to not be confrontational when you feel like your getting the shaft. Something we would rather be giving to the fish, lol.
But we need to create as many allies as we can get, and we don't want to alienate anyone.
I hope I have not stuck my nose in when I shouldn't and I want to say than ks for taking care of my rights.
Mike

[Denny]

Screen has been active in the fishing rights arena for years. He knows who does what and he is easily angered by those that don't do their part.

[Slay Ride]

Keep it up Screen. Very admirable to post and ask for comment. And make changes to the approach. Scott does make a valid point (he is a lawyer and all). Everyone needs to do at least ONE thing this year to protect our spearfishing rights. We can make a difference. Les

[Dangerous]

Originally posted by Screen Name
Dear PADI:

Our question is this: Why is there no visible effort....



Sincerely,

You could consider changing the above to "We would appreciate PADI support to...."

Then everything falls into place.

my .05's worth

[Screen Name]

I learned some useful information from this thread and related PM's. I'm going to hold off on this until our meeting tomorrow night. We will decide then what kind of support we will pursue from the certifying agencies.

Thanks for your support everyone.

[OceanEd]

PADI is like many big organizations. There are some ways to approach them that will give you better results than others. I strongly suggest that you contack Mike K. at the E. Mail that I gave you. Bounce the whole issue around with Mike and see if he can answer many of your questions. Also, ask him if he will work with you to not only get your questions answered, but to find a way to solicit support from PADI.

His job is to interface with the Florida diving community on any issues that are of importance, and I would think that this definately falls into that category.

If you have Mike working with you to resolve the issue you will get much more mileage and you will be assured of getting to the right ears at PADI.

If I can be of any help in this, let me know.

[subdude]

I think PADI has an "Underwater Hunter" class/patch? If so then that would show their "support".

Not trying to shoot your VERY valiant efforts down at all but it is something to consider...


subdude

[Screen Name]

Originally posted by OceanEd
PADI is like many big organizations. There are some ways to approach them that will give you better results than others. I strongly suggest that you contack Mike K. at the E. Mail that I gave you. Bounce the whole issue around with Mike and see if he can answer many of your questions. Also, ask him if he will work with you to not only get your questions answered, but to find a way to solicit support from PADI.

His job is to interface with the Florida diving community on any issues that are of importance, and I would think that this definately falls into that category.

If you have Mike working with you to resolve the issue you will get much more mileage and you will be assured of getting to the right ears at PADI.

If I can be of any help in this, let me know.

Thanks Ed. I am going to use those contacts, and I will also not hesitate to contact you. Tomorrow we are going to try to draft what we think is a sound aproach. After that, I probably will contact you for a briefing before I contact them.

John

[junior]

That second letter sounds a bit more tame. I'm making a few edits to your letter and see what you think...

Dear PADI:

My wife and I have been avid hook and line anglers and spearfishermen for over 20 years.
Our question is this: Is PADI aware of the efforts in many states to limit the access of spearfisherman to our natural resources? Does PADI find a vested interest in protecting our rights as Spearfisherman and does PADI promote the sport of spearfishing? Restrictions which unfairly target spearfishermen have happened for years and are happening around us today. But, I am unaware of any effort which PADI makes on our behalf. I realize the main priority at PADI is diver certification and training. However, we believe that it is in PADI's best interest to help preserve the rights of the spearfishing diver. Let me suggest some reasons why I believe PADI should actively support spearfishing:

Good luck John and let us know what responses you receive.

[OceanEd]

Subdude:

PADI has "official" Specialty certifications in many different types of diving such as U/W Photo, Night Diving, etc. When PADI first started the concept of Specialty courses Underwater Hunting was not one of the areas developed. When I was with PADI I used to talk to spearfishing gear manufacturers at the DEMA show each year and they were always asking why PADI did not develop a standard Hunting certification. I can't speak for PADI at this point, but at that time there were many other "Specialty" courses that had a much broader appeal to more divers and PADI could only develop so many courses.

PADI recognized that there would always be many topics that would be of interest to divers and instructors and that all of them could not be put into the official Specialty Course category. So they developed the Distinctive Specialty Course concept. Under the Distinctive specialty category any PADI instructor can submit his experience and an outline for a proposed Specialty course in any subject. PADI will review the experience and outline and if they approve it, they will issue certification cards, even if that instructor is the only one in the world who teaches that particular specialty. I have the PADI Specialty Instructor certification in Underwater Hunter as well as one which teaches the new spearos seafood identification, cleaning, preparation and cooking (if they are going to spear it then they need to know what they are going to do with it) and I know others who have the Underwater Hunter Instructor certification as well. The bottom line is that PADI does recognize underwater hunting, but it is not one of their standard Specialty courses.

[Denny]

But will PADI stand up for the rights of underwater hunters in a public forum? Answers will be forthcoming.

[subdude]

Great explanation Ed, so simple even I can understand it. :D

Thanks,

subdude

[OceanEd]

Great point, Psycho.

PADI just signed an agreement with National Geographic for cross promotion of the two organizations, world wide, when it comes to underwater activities. PADI has had Project Aware and other eco friendly programs which are central to their image for a long time. How spearfishing will fit into the mix is anybody's guess.

That is why it is important to put together a sound query and then work through the proper channels to get not only an answer but hopefully some action that will benefit what we are trying to protect.

NAUI may react very differently than PADI. SSI will react in their own way. So what we need to do is make contacts on all fronts and work with them all if possible.

Another thing to consider is that all 3 are international in scope. PADI alone is not doing over half the certifications worldwide each year. Spearfishing is much more accepted in many countries outside the USA. For this reason alone I do not think these organizations can take an anti spearfishing stance. Whether or not they will actively support it and become visable on the issue is what we are going to try to find out.

[OceanEd]

correction: PADI IS DOING OVER HALF THE CERTIFICATIONS WORLDWIDE EACH YEAR.

[Lou Rector]

As a PADI instructor, I found them to support spearfishing and encouraged us to teach spearfishing as a "specialty course. I expect they will give full support. Lou Rector OWSI #61004

[OceanEd]

Lou:

I have always found over the years that PADI has supported any activity which they recognize through certification.

Stephen Metcalf CD 2141