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WELCOME TO SEMINAR ONE: [INSERT SEMINAR VIDEO HERE] Spearfishing Ethical Standards of Practice: Sustainability: We want to share an ethical philosophy on sustainably and safely getting into spearfishing and underwater foraging. Skills before Kills: For me the entry point should always be a beginner freediving course, getting comfortable in the water first. foraging - learning. This course is NOT a replacement for in-person training from an experienced, certified instructor. Identification: Don’t “Shoot first, ask questions later” Loaded speargun comes last: Remember that this is a loaded weapon and there are a lot of skills involved before you are ready to be safe in the water. Take your time and enjoy: Spend time with the fish and practice your skills before spearing. Golden Rule: Never dive or spear alone. Through this course, I give you the most up to date information to the best of my knowledge, but it is up to you to educate yourself and make sure everything you catch is in line with current regulations, which can change all the time. There is no point in trying to tell a Fisheries Officer as he is trying to take your speargun off you that “But Dave said it was ok!” It’s just not going to fly. The information here covers foundational information, but is not exhaustive. Here we give you a well-rounded view of what is available to you in the waters around Ireland and the UK. We have a jam-packed, streamlined amount of incredible information for you, but if we could we’d talk for hours about it. And beyond that, the ocean is your oyster! There is so much we are constantly learning, exploring, changing, adding, and adapting to in our foraging and spearfishing. So to sum up some introductory reminders as we get going: Learn how to be with the gear. Learn how be stealthy in the water Learn how the different fish behave or react to your actions Learn to take your time and enjoy the process Never dive alone. Abide by the Spearo Code SPEARO CODE Take only what you need Eat what you kill Don’t be trigger-happy We believe spearfishing, when done properly, is an incredible step towards sustainable living. Feel free to watch the video below, grab your mask & snorkel, pen & paper, and let's dive in!

[INSERT SEMINAR VIDEO HERE] EQUIPMENT Dive Float & Flag - It is absolutely paramount to have a float and a flag. it's not always seen and not all water users know what it means unfortunately but it is a step that we can take to protect ourselves. Torch Dive Knife (minimum 2) Catch bag Crab & Lobster Hook Measurement Gauges - These can be bought from various places with different markings for different species. Important to check they are in line with current regulations.

[INSERT SAFETY SEMINAR HERE] [INSERT PHOTOS INTO SEMINAR] WHERE TO GO Sandy beaches (maybe add explanation field is like forest, and sandy beaches like the field/plain) Rocky shorelines Small bays NOT fresh water – inc. rivers! River mouths are okay - consider temperature and vis) Can bring nutrients so can be fishy East coast vs west coast FORESHORE SAFETY Entry and Exit Shore diving Tide height - seasonal tides can be up to 8m in some places Currents Boat diving Slip ramp launch times, etc. IN-WATER SAFETY Consider: Boat traffic pot-lines nets & other marine debris Mitigate the risk: You’re not going to be the only one using that body of water so prepare for that. Stay away from other water users, boats, swimmers etc. Dive knives ( * 2 minimum.) Floats Flags HELPFUL APPS Windy Weather Fishingapp.gps Webapp.navionics More? Links [INSERT APPS HERE|

[INSERT SEMINAR VIDEO HERE] EQUIPMENT Dive Float & Flag - It is absolutely paramount to have a float and a flag. it's not always seen and not all water users know what it means unfortunately but it is a step that we can take to protect ourselves. Torch Dive Knife (minimum 2) Catch bag Crab & Lobster Hook Measurement Gauges - These can be bought from various places with different markings for different species. Important to check they are in line with current regulations.

SPEARGUN IMPORTANT: Keep your gun UNLOADED AT ALL TIMES. Ignore the safety: it can fail. Treat it like any other deadly weapon: only point it at something you want to kill when its loaded. Gun Types Single band 16-18mm Double band 14mm Simpler the better 60cm - hole hunting 90cm - long range 75-80cm - all rounder Which one should I get? Keep it Simple You may be all jazzed-up to get all the coolest gadgets and want to look like the most badass spearo in the sea. But our best advice is to keep it simple at first (also, you won't look as cool if you don't know how to handle your gun, or have the wrong size for where your diving, will ya?) Top Tips: The company Cressi makes excellent value and well made starter guns. A gun with a rail will be more accurate. Stick with the same gun for a while, target practice with it (not with live fish)! 150€ should buy a decent gun Anything bigger than 90cm has limited use and needs excellent visability to be worthwhile. eg offshore pinacle boat diving. Pneumatic guns are considered a firearm in Ireland and need a license, i.e. consider them illegal.

BE PREPARED! DO YOUR RESEARCH! Know your dive plan Know where you’re going Know the conditions Know the weather in the lead up Never dive alone!! This is the number one rule involving anything that involves holding our breath in water (Yes, even if you're chasing a crab in the shallows)! There is safety in going spearfishing or foraging with your fellow trained buddy if both of you enter and exit together, but spend the whole session in different places. Alternate your dives, watch each other and be ready to support one another in case of emergency (and practice discussing where to position yourself so you stay out of the way of a shot as well). Spearfishing is only as safe as it is fun. Small accidents can turn fatal very quickly when we're alone. If we have our trained buddy looking out for us, the danger zone becomes extremely low. Get the right training from an experienced freediving instructor, practice your safety with your buddy and remember: NEVER DIVE ALONE Also - diving with buddies is much more fun! You can make memories and share your harvest.