BOB LAMAR AND MARCOS

Freedive spearfishing is an intensely personal experience that is laden with individual choices. For me it is the ability to be selective that makes underwater hunting so rewarding. Having just returned from Mexico, I had the privilege of hunting the legendary “El Bajo.” El Bajo is an underwater seamount that rises to within 50 feet of the surface and is renowned for attracting large pelagic fish. At the conclusion of this trip, I returned with a full cooler along with something more meaningful and lasting. At El Bajo, I faced the ultimate challenge as a hunter: staying true to my personal code of honor or shooting the fish of a lifetime.
On the way down to La Paz with my fiancée Lora, I made the conscious choice not to shoot any billfish regardless of size or opportunity. By some estimates the billfish population in the Sea of Cortez is down 80% to 90% from counts done in the 1960’s. Based partially on this data, I made the choice to only target fish from healthy stocks. Little did I know that the next day I would come face to face with the consequences of this decision.
Arriving at the spot in the early morning, conditions were ideal for late June. Calm seas, water temperature in the high 70’s and visibility in excess of 50 feet. My anticipation was running so high, my hands were shaking as I suited up. Once I slipped over the side and felt the reassuring touch of the ocean, my apprehension vanished…in spite of the dozens of hammerhead sharks patrolling the edge of the seamount. Breathing up on the surface, I became the hunter and slowly descended into the cobalt abyss.
Shortly after breaking the surface I noticed a large shape moving just out of visual range. Stopping my descent at about 15 feet, I leveled out and tried to identify the fish as it moved closer… and hopefully within range of my spear. As the outline of the fish slowly sharpened, I gasped as I realized it was a marlin. I found myself in the company of one of the ocean’s most efficient predators and it literally took my breath away. Rather than turn away, the marlin kept coming closer. 50 feet…40…30…20. He was so close I could see his eyeball move as he sized me up as a potential threat. As he turned broadside, I raised my gun for what would clearly be a kill shot and slowly slid my finger on the trigger. As I took aim, I was reminded of my earlier promise not to shoot billfish. My pledge sounded so noble in the airport, but here at El Bajo, facing the fish of a lifetime, I hesitated. In that moment of indecision, the marlin turned and started to swim away. Rising to the surface to take a breath, I could barely contain my frustration. Would I have shot? Should I have shot? It happened so fast I felt like I never got the chance to decide. That is when the marlin turned and started to come back…
Now I have a choice, I thought to myself. Slapping the surface of the water with my hand, I played on the marlin’s curious nature and brought him to within shooting range. This time I didn’t even need to dive. A surface shot on a marlin! It can’t get any easier. Unlike my first encounter moments before, I felt strangely empowered and calm. I was ready to choose. As the marlin turned broadside and offered himself to me, I raised my gun, took careful aim behind the gill plate, smiled to myself…and took my finger off the trigger. Moments later, at a depth of 50 feet, I stoned a beautiful 66 pound amberjack. As I swam the fish back to the boat, I heard Lora shout “MARLIN!” The fish I had earlier released, was leaping out of the water less than 50 yards from the boat. Estimated by our captain as over 200 pounds, was the marlin jumping as if to say “thanks” or “you sucker”? Either way, I felt satisfied with my choice and left El Bajo with the knowledge that above all, I remained true to my personal values as a selective and responsible hunter.
There are many things in the hunting world that are legal, yet some hunters would view as unethical. Within the boundaries of what is legal, it is left up to each individual to set his or her own standards. Even though it may be legal to harvest a certain species of fish it does not mean it is moral to do so. In Mexico, it is lawful to shoot a broomtail grouper but is it just? It is legal to shoot lingcod in California on SCUBA but is it fair? It is up to the hunter to decide what that personal choice should be. Keeping the chase fair and the choices honorable are what I believe, is at the heart of freedive spearfishing.
As spearos, whether we like it or not, we are in the "image business.” Some may argue that spearfishing has such little overall impact, it justifies harvesting rare species. I believe it is just the opposite. Spearos need to hold themselves to higher standards and lead the way for conservation ethics. This doesn’t mean we deny ourselves shooting large game fish. It means we selectively choose the fish we want to harvest. We exercise this notion with the personal choices we make every time we enter the water. By choosing to hunt with greater selectivity, we promote our sport as responsible hunters and conservationists.

BOB LA MAR