There are no existing spearfishing controls and the final scope 

 of the Coral and Coral Reef Resources FMP special management measures are 

 unpredictable. The plan has not been through the EIS public review process 

 and will not likely be implemented until January 1981. The Plan proposes 

 to prohibit spearfishing within the core trapezoid of the 1 nm sq HAPC. 



2. Restrict spearfishing within the sanctuary to pole spears 

 and Hawaiian slings under all boundary alternatives . 



Restricting spearfishing to certain weapons would tend to re- 

 strict this type of fishing to the more experienced divers and snorkel ers 

 and eliminate the use of rubber-powered arbaletes, pneumatic and spring- 

 loaded guns and other types of weapons often used by novice divers. 



In addition, it would tend to reduce both the physical damage 

 to the reefs caused by inexperienced spearfishermen and the chances of 

 human injury. This would probably have minimal economic impact on dive 

 and charter boat captains since only an estimated 15 percent of the Looe 

 Key divers now spearfish (personal communication, Davidson, 1979). 



This alternative would not eliminate the wariness and removal 

 of certain species from the reef, nor would it prevent experienced spearfish- 

 ermen from contributing to the reduction of stocks of important commercial 

 fish species and key ecological species on the reef system. This option 

 would be difficult to enforce. 



3. Prohibit spearfishing and possession of spearfishing gguiPt^gnt 

 within the 5 sq nmi (Boundary Alternative #2 and #3) PREFERRED 

 ALTERNATIVE . 



A primary impact for this alternative is to enhance the quality 

 of resource recreational experiences by divers, snorkel ers and observers. 

 This prohibitipn, will also benefit the ecological system by preventing the 

 continued disturbance and removal of territorial reef predators and would 

 promote the return of larger grouper, snapper and other predators to the 

 reef or perhaps, in time, lead to fish becoming less wary. In addition, it 

 would remove the human injury potential, the inadvertent killing of non- 

 edible tropical reef fish species found within the sanctuary and physical 

 damage to the coral from divers in pursuit of fish. All of the above would 

 help ensure high quality recreational experiences by divers and snorklers. 



Although local residents and visitors will no longer have the 

 opportunity to spearfish in the Looe Key 5 mile area, there are many other 

 areas suitable for spearfishing. 



The oceanic side of the Florida Keys is a desirable area for 

 spearfishing with a submarine bank that varies in width from more than three 

 to nearly seven nautical miles along the length of the Keys. Most of this 

 bank lies in water depths less than 30 feet. The shallow inshore area is 

 not attractive to spearfishermen due to the small number of fish to be found 

 there. However, the many patches of corals scattered along the seaward edge 

 are favorite fishing grounds for spearfishermen (Murdock, 1957). It will not 

 discriminate against novice spearfishermen and will conform with the more 

 enforceable regulation at the Key Largo Marine Sanctuary which prohibits the 

 use of spear guns, slings, harpoons or other kinds of weapons potentially 

 harmful to human safety, fish and wildlife, and the reef structure. 



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