Marine conservation and the role of underwater fishermen

Marine conservation and the role of underwater fishermen

Talking about marine conservation and underwater fishing we think almost instinctively about marine protected areas and to the violations that, unfortunately too often, occur there. The question of safeguarding marine ecosystems, however, involves the life of the diving fisherman in a much more profound way: the fact that in Italian seas that there is less and less fish is clear to everyone, and it is now a certainty that if we want to continue to plant prey underwater tomorrow it is necessary to act consciously today.

Underwater fishermen have the opportunity to develop a very direct relationship with the sea, its landscapes and the creatures that populate it: precisely for this reason, the contribution they can make to underwater conservation goes far beyond conscious and sustainable fishing.

Underwater conservation, a topic that concerns everyone

To ensure the survival of marine ecosystems, weakened by pollution and overfishing, it is absolutely necessary to adopt precautions and countermeasures that allow us to re-establish the situation and hand over to future generations a clean sea once again full of fish.

According to a 2019 Istat report, the 92,7% of fish stocks of the western Mediterranean is overexploited, and this trend is increasing. This means that the removal of fish from the sea does not fall within the biologically sustainable parameters to guarantee the reproduction of the different species.

An emblematic case, which closely concerns underwater fishermen, is that of brown grouper, practically disappeared from Italian seas precisely due to the excessive pressure of industrial and recreational fishing. The good news is that it is possible to bring the populations of this Mediterranean icon classified by the IUCN back to growth vulnerable species: this is demonstrated by 30 years of commitment in French waters, where today these apex predators have returned to thrive.

But there are other marine creatures that are now difficult to encounter in our seas: octopus, sea bass, snapper and croaker they are increasingly rare sightings, a huge loss in the eyes of those who practice fishing in the hole and waiting on the shallow waters. And it makes no sense to hope that populations will grow again by persevering in the behaviors that led to their decline.

Marine conservation, the role of diving fishermen

Net of illegal practices such as fishing with lights or scuba, which have contributed significantly to the decline of fish stocks in the Mediterranean, underwater fishing is absolutely the most selective method: being face to face with the prey allows you to evaluate every single capture, as well as to abandon the field without repercussions in case you decide not to continue with the hunting action.

When you lower a net you don't know what you've caught until the end, and you can't do much if half the catch is made up of accidental catches: the net can't make distinctions. The underwater fisherman with a sufficient trainingHowever, he knows how to make these distinctions: he can understand at first glance if a grouper is too small or if a fish has eggs, he can avoid fishing for sea bass during the mating period, he can decide to leave prey in the water even at last second.

Come to think of it, spear fishermen are the only ones who have the ability to practice truly sustainable fishing, and this places the category in a position in which it is very difficult to escape ethical questions. Even if the responsibility for the impoverishment of the seas certainly does not lie with freedivers, therefore, diving fishermen can have a leading role in marine conservation. It all starts, obviously, with the practice of one conscious and sustainable fishing.

Safeguarding marine ecosystems: what can we do?

Awareness and sustainability are terms so inflated that they are often meaningless. When we talk about underwater fishing and marine conservation, however, the question becomes very practical: this activity, in fact, can actively contribute to repopulation of our seas.

Below are some rules of conduct that can make freediving sustainable and in line with the objectives of safeguarding and protecting marine ecosystems:

• Learn about fish and their biological cycle: it may seem obvious, but it isn't. Learn about the reproductive cycle of fish and their seasonality allows you to limit fishing to prey that has already contributed to thickening the new generations. Study the fish habits and their place in the food chain then allows fishing to be made an active protection tool (for example, those who live in areas where the blue crab is spreading and decide to leave the octopuses where they are are actively helping the ecosystem);
• Don't use food as bait: this habit can lead to behavioral changes in fish populations, with possible serious imbalances in the ecosystem;
• Touch as little as possible: it can be difficult when fishing in the hole or on the lookout, but it would be a good habit to try to leave the sea as we found it (albeit lightened by some fish). Trying to limit the size of the equipment, for example, can be useful inavoid impacts and contact with rocks and seabed;
• Collaborate with the competent associations and authorities: the privilege of experiencing the sea "from within" makes scuba divers excellent allies for protection and conservation projects. It is possible to participate in censuses and wildlife monitoring operations, but above all it is important to report any problems related to overfishing or pollution in a specific area;
• Contribute to cleaning the seas: it is difficult to think of "wasting" a precious dive of a few minutes to go and collect a plastic bag stuck on the seabed. The knowledge that no one else will do it, and that that bag could mean death for one or more fish that we would like to see in future game bags, however, should be a sufficient incentive for a diving fisherman who decides to dedicate himself to fishing that contributes to the protection of the ecosystem;
• Share knowledge: when you decide to fish in an environmentally friendly way, it is almost inevitable to have the desire to promote this type of fishing. Well, the sensitization of other fishermen is one of the most important actions in the field of marine conservation. And it is one of the best ways to repay a lifetime of favors to that fascinating and generous world that is the sea.