How Spearfishing Affects Fish Stocks in the UK

Is Spearfishing Bad for Fish Stocks?

In short: No, not when carried out within UK regulations and with responsible diver behaviour.
Spearfishing is regarded as one of the least damaging methods of taking fish or seafood because:

• it is entirely selective
• there is no by-catch
• fish are taken one at a time
• there is no lost gear, unlike angling hooks, lead sink weights or nets
• divers typically target common, plentiful species

These traits make spearfishing fundamentally different from commercial fishing and even recreational rod and line fishing.

Why Spearfishing Is Considered Sustainable

Spearfishing has several built-in limitations that naturally protect fish numbers.

1. It is 100% selective
   The diver sees the fish before taking the shot, meaning:

• no juvenile fish are taken
• no protected species are harmed
• no unwanted species are caught accidentally
• good breeders can be left alone

Selectivity alone dramatically reduces ecological impact.

2. Low catch volume
   The spearfishing culture in the UK is to only take what you need, and you can only catch as much seafood as you can physically dive for. This places a natural cap on harvest compared to nets or large-scale angling efforts.
3. No habitat damage
   Spearfishing causes zero seabed impact, unlike dredging, trawling or poorly placed lobster pots.
4. No ghost gear
   Lost hooks, nets and lines can kill fish and marine life for years. A speargun cannot continue harming the environment if dropped or lost to sea.
5. No post-catch mortality
   Angling creates “unrecorded deaths” from gut-hooking, stress or deep-water barotrauma. Spearfishing avoids this entirely.

Where Spearfishing Can Have Localised Impact

While spearfishing is broadly sustainable, localised pressure can occur if divers:

• Continuously target the same reef
• Take multiple fish from small, isolated structures
• Take breeding-sized fish during key seasons
• Ignore minimum landing sizes
• Take wrasse in areas where they play a key ecological role

Awareness and self-regulation are essential, particularly in heavily dived regions.

Legal Protections and Minimum Sizes

The UK has strict minimum landing sizes and regional bylaws that help protect fish stocks. Spearfishers must always adhere to:

• Minimum legal sizes (bass, pollack, plaice, etc.)
• Seasonal bass restrictions and bag limits
• No-take zones, UK MCZs and local bans (see designated UK MCZs)
• Bans on spearfishing salmonid species (salmon and sea trout)

These rules exist to ensure long-term sustainability and healthy ecosystems.

How Spearfishers Can Protect Fish Stocks Further

Responsible divers go beyond the legal minimum. To keep spearfishing sustainable:

Choose your shots carefully
Aim only at fish you intend to eat and are confident you can land cleanly.

Avoid breeding aggregations
If you find a nest, large shoal, or feeding frenzy, observe it but do not take advantage of it.

Rotate your spots
Avoid repeatedly harvesting the same reef.

Take only what you need
Fresh is always best

Learn local ecology
Understanding species behaviour helps you make informed, respectful choices.

Does Spearfishing Help Conservation?

In many ways, yes.
Spearfishers are extremely in tune with local marine environments. They notice changes in:

• fish populations
• breeding patterns
• invasive species
• habitat health
• water quality

Many spearfishers contribute valuable citizen science observations and support marine conservation efforts. Knowledgeable divers often advocate strongly for marine protection because they directly witness environmental change.