Spearfishing and coastal foraging is one of the most selective and sustainable ways to harvest wild food, but only when practised responsibly. As spearfishing grows in popularity across the UK, it’s vital that divers uphold behaviours that respect the ocean, protect fish stocks and maintain the reputation of spearfishing as an ethical practice.
This guide outlines the key behaviours that responsible spearfishers should follow, from respecting minimum sizes to avoiding feeding frenzies. Each principle supports the long-term health of British marine ecosystems and ensures spearfishing or underwater foraging and hunting remains a low-impact, environmentally sound activity.
1. Take Only What You Intend to Eat
Responsible spearfishing and underwater foraging is built on intention.
- Take one fish at a time.
- Prioritise fish you will genuinely use, whether fresh or frozen for later.
- Avoid taking fish just because they are easy or plentiful.
Spearfishing’s strength is that it is entirely selective whereby divers choose exactly which fish to take. This advantage disappears if you take fish simply because you can.
Spearfishing’s strength lies in its selectivity – you choose which fish to take and how many. Freezing fish you’ve caught yourself can still be far more sustainable than buying seafood from environmentally damaging commercial sources. What matters is taking fish with purpose, not impulse.
Learn more about whether freezer filling is considered the responsible, sustainable thing to do by checking out our blog on: ‘Stocking the Freezer: Is It Responsible for UK Spearfishers’
2. Respect Minimum Sizes and Local Bylaws
The UK has strict size limits and regional restrictions, particularly for:
- bass
- lobster
- flatfish species
- crab
- scallops
Spearfishers must also be aware of:
- seasonal bass restrictions
- localised bans or MCZ (Marine Conservation Zones) or NTZ (No Take Zones)
- the complete prohibition on taking salmon or sea trout
These rules exist to protect breeding stocks and ensure sustainability. Staying informed is an essential part of being a responsible diver.
3. Avoid Feeding Frenzies
Feeding frenzies are dramatic, exciting, and very tempting, but shooting fish during these events is not responsible.
Why?
- The fish are not behaving naturally.
- They are unusually easy to shoot.
- Many individuals are concentrated in one tiny area, creating the risk of over-harvesting a local group.
- Some “frenzies” are actually pre-spawning gatherings.
- It encourages a ‘take more because they’re easy’ mentality, which contradicts selective fishing principles.
The better approach
Watch the frenzy. Learn from it. Enjoy the spectacle. But take your shot later, once behaviour returns to normal and you can make a thoughtful, selective decision.
4. Rotate Your Spots
Repeatedly taking fish and other seafood from the same reef, gully or headland can cause local depletion even if regional stocks remain healthy. Responsible foragers & spearfishers:
- move between multiple locations
- avoid hammering the same reef
- allow spots time to recover
Rotating sites keeps your own fishing or foraging productive and protects local fish and crustacean populations.
5. Only Take Clean, Ethical Shots
A responsible spearfisher always prioritises clean, effective shots that aim to kill the fish instantly. This means:
- don’t shoot if you’re unsure of your angle or range
- don’t shoot into a shoal or cluster
- aim only at the fish you have fully identified and intend to keep
Missed shots and poorly placed shots harm fish and damage the image of spearfishing. If in doubt, don’t pull the trigger.
Top Tip:
Before pulling the trigger, fully extend your shooting arm and lock it comfortably in line with your shoulder. This helps you absorb any recoil, stabilises the gun, and keeps the shot accurate and controlled.
6. Respect Breeding Behaviour
Many UK species show clear reproductive behaviours, such as:
- nest guarding
- pairing
- pre-spawning schools
- territorial summer behaviour
Avoid taking fish that are actively breeding or displaying protective behaviour. These individuals are vital to maintaining healthy populations.
7. Respect Marine Life You Are Not Targeting
Responsible divers avoid disturbing or harming:
- juvenile fish and breeding or egg bearing individuals.
- rays, seahorses, pipefish and other vulnerable or protected species.
- seals, dolphins and porpoises – never approach or interact.
- seabirds resting on ledges or feeding in shallow bays.
- sensitive habitats such as seagrass beds, soft corals and sponge-covered reefs.
The rule is simple: take what you came for, leave everything else undisturbed. Spearfishing is about taking fish selectively, not interfering with the wider marine environment.
8. Keep the Sea Clean
Spearfishers spend more time in the water than most ocean users, which makes them perfectly placed to help keep our coastline cleaner. Removing small pieces of litter when it is safe to do so can make a real difference to the health of marine habitats.
However, it is vital to only collect debris that poses no risk of entanglement or injury. Items like plastic wrappers, bottles or stray bits of line are usually safe to remove, but larger gear, especially ghost nets, sections of rope, or heavy pots can be extremely dangerous. These can snag, wrap or trap a diver.
If you encounter anything that looks hazardous, do not attempt to free or remove it yourself. Instead, note the location and report it to your local IFCA (Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority), and contact an organisation like Ghost Fishing UK or Water Haul who can arrange safe and proper removal using the correct equipment. This keeps both divers and marine life safe.
A responsible spearfisher leaves the sea in a better state than they found it – but never at the expense of their own safety.
Final Word
Responsible spearfishing is not just about the fish you take, it’s about how you take them. By practising restraint, respecting local ecosystems and avoiding behaviours like exploiting feeding frenzies, spearfishers can continue to enjoy a sustainable, ethical and deeply rewarding relationship with the sea. Good divers don’t just catch well. We behave well. And that’s what keeps spearfishing and underwater foraging sustainable.