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Spearing bottomfish in Mozam
- Thread starter vnoordw
- Start date
Just like in South Africa, there are places where you can, and places where you can't. For instance, from Ponta to Inhaca is the new reserve, no bottoms to be taken and there is also a large no-fish zone in the middle.
In general people are told not to shoot or catch bottoms to prevent abuse.
In general people are told not to shoot or catch bottoms to prevent abuse.
On the point of bottom fish in Moz. Last I was on Inhaca the maritimos were handing out pamphlets on rules and regulations relating to fishing and Spearfishing.
Besides protected areas, legally according to the pamphlet I got you allowed 10, (not more of 5 of the same species I recall), fish in total which may include bottom fish with the exception of Potato Bass and Brindles. You also require a spear fishing permit which can usually be bought from the local martimo officers. (note: none of this appears relevant to local Mozambiquens who shoot anything that moves)
However in a lot of areas spearing of bottoms is frowned upon so whilst it may be legal outside of protected areas you run the risk of getting on the wrong side of the locals and general public by spearing bottoms and in many areas the Martimo officers can't differentiate between a Malabar rock cods and a Brindle and simply deem any dull coloured rock cods to be a "garupa" which as far as they concerned is illegal which will end in a "unpleasant" Mozambique experience so I would give rockcods a big miss if you considering bottoms.
Would also avoid taking pictures of trophy fish on the main beaches/ launch areas. For what ever reason people don’t like big dead fish.
Try by all means to be an ambassador for the sport and consider limiting your catch and not catching your limit
Besides protected areas, legally according to the pamphlet I got you allowed 10, (not more of 5 of the same species I recall), fish in total which may include bottom fish with the exception of Potato Bass and Brindles. You also require a spear fishing permit which can usually be bought from the local martimo officers. (note: none of this appears relevant to local Mozambiquens who shoot anything that moves)
However in a lot of areas spearing of bottoms is frowned upon so whilst it may be legal outside of protected areas you run the risk of getting on the wrong side of the locals and general public by spearing bottoms and in many areas the Martimo officers can't differentiate between a Malabar rock cods and a Brindle and simply deem any dull coloured rock cods to be a "garupa" which as far as they concerned is illegal which will end in a "unpleasant" Mozambique experience so I would give rockcods a big miss if you considering bottoms.
Would also avoid taking pictures of trophy fish on the main beaches/ launch areas. For what ever reason people don’t like big dead fish.
Try by all means to be an ambassador for the sport and consider limiting your catch and not catching your limit
Hi Adian
Thanks for the info, this was what we were looking for. You don't by chance still have the pamphlet. I am the chairperson of Huguenote spearfishing club and the members of our club do not shoot any bottoms in Mozam. Even if we have to travel from Cape Town we keep by the limits and only shoot gamefish.
When we saw the last spearfishing video the concern was that the people making the video is creating problems between spearos and Scubadivers/Anglers. We were under the impression that you are no allowed to shoot bottoms. Your info now clarify the part of shooting bottoms, but we still feel that they are no true ambassadors for spearfishing.
Dawie
Thanks for the info, this was what we were looking for. You don't by chance still have the pamphlet. I am the chairperson of Huguenote spearfishing club and the members of our club do not shoot any bottoms in Mozam. Even if we have to travel from Cape Town we keep by the limits and only shoot gamefish.
When we saw the last spearfishing video the concern was that the people making the video is creating problems between spearos and Scubadivers/Anglers. We were under the impression that you are no allowed to shoot bottoms. Your info now clarify the part of shooting bottoms, but we still feel that they are no true ambassadors for spearfishing.
Dawie
Dingleberry
Senior Member
Stripping the rockpools of every living thing, including Red-bait (eaten fresh) and juvenile rockcod is acceptable in Moz, along with spearing sea birds - if the behaviour of the locals is anything to go by. You can also shoot or catch and photo anything so long as you give the catch to the locals, thank them for letting you visit their wonderful country and praise the officials for the phenomenal job they do over a couple of whiskies - if you can stomach it!
Dingleberry wrote:
That is not quite fair. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, I have met people in the 'wilderness' there that has never seen a can of Coke or a bag of sugar. If you had nothing you would also eat anything that is available. Conservation is a great thing when you have a warm belly of food.
Back to the topic, if you want more details on exact regulations, I have a friend there who is a marine biologist and very involved in the regulations and parks, PM me and I can put you in direct contact with him.
Stripping the rockpools of every living thing, including Red-bait (eaten fresh) and juvenile rockcod is acceptable in Moz, along with spearing sea birds - if the behaviour of the locals is anything to go by. You can also shoot or catch and photo anything so long as you give the catch to the locals, thank them for letting you visit their wonderful country and praise the officials for the phenomenal job they do over a couple of whiskies - if you can stomach it!
That is not quite fair. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, I have met people in the 'wilderness' there that has never seen a can of Coke or a bag of sugar. If you had nothing you would also eat anything that is available. Conservation is a great thing when you have a warm belly of food.
Back to the topic, if you want more details on exact regulations, I have a friend there who is a marine biologist and very involved in the regulations and parks, PM me and I can put you in direct contact with him.