myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Hi,

An amazing forum you all have here...i visited the site quite a few times but only realized there was a forum today

Anyways...just wanted to know if using a fish gun in Tobago is allowed when snorkeling in reefs....if so, to what extent?

Ali

Is that something you shoot fish with? ... Or is it a gun that shoots fish ?

I am not aware of any rules, but I guess there may need to be precautions when there are other snorkellers swimming near you ... so I sense that carrying fish guns could be a hazardous pastime for all the happy organisms that are swimming around you.

I trust this weapon does not cause any unnecessary pain and suffering.

Regards

Well the fish gun is a weapon ......so yes the gun will cause harm most likely death...but only fish for food will be shot(example big fish passing by....not those pretty reef fish) just as when u catch a fish with a rod .....

maybe a better question would be whether or not fishing is allowed in these reefs?


Ali

Hi Ali

I guess you can fish anywhere you like ... I don't know of any restrictions although there may be some protected areas and some dangerous areas.

I was thinking about other non-fish swimmers (i.e.; humans) are they safe? ... saw a poor chap get a harpoon in the leg once ... ouch!

I reckon your best option could be to go on a fishing trip where there is deeper water and you have an area to yourself, you are more likely to find your intended prey ... if you explain what you want to do to the tour guides when you get there I am sure they can do something that will meet your requirements.

Regards

OUCH!!!

Thanks a lot for that Paul...

I still haven't decided if I'm going to use the fish gun though but if i do I will be extra careful.

If I dont feel too comfy i will just stick to my rod n reel

Thanks again

Ali

Nice one

Sounds like you are a diplomat with places to go and people to upset.

Have a lovely time ... and send us all your feedback on your experiences.

Regards

Ali wrote: maybe a better question would be whether or not fishing is allowed in these reefs?

Hi Ali

No fishing is allowed within the Buccoo Reef Marine Reserve, which stretches from Pigeon Point out to the reef itself and around to the village of Buccoo.

You can get more information here - http://www.buccooreef.org/index.html

or search this site for information on diving and spearfishing, which I think has been covered before.

Some of the local guys spearfish parrotfish and barracuda for food and to sell on if they catch more than they need. Some of the areas they fish are well-known inshore reefs that attract many divers and snorkellers e.g. Arnos Vale and Mount Irvin reef. I've noticed a significant reduction in the numbers of larger parrot fish on some of these reefs in recent years, possibly due to overfishing.

Cheers
Steve

That's interesting Steve ... and thanks for your input on a subject that I am not at all clever with.

I had a sense that fishing would be banned in the Buccoo Reef for fairly obvious reasons.

But I find it strange that Parrot Fish populations are falling ... I thought these fish were poisonous to eat (because of what they eat) and I have read that some Barracuda can be poisonous if they feed off reef fish because of the coral foods that they eat (but this is mostly from other areas away from Tobago).

I have never been offered Parrot Fish in a restaurant ... maybe I need educating here.

Regards

Hi Paul

It isn't so much that parrot fish numbers are falling per se, more that the larger fish seem less numerous than I remember several years ago.

There used to be some very big fish around the reef at Arnos Vale and these appear to have been replaced by much smaller fish of the same species.

O.K so fish don't live forever and maybe it's pure coincidence, but guys using snorkel gear and powered spear guns have been seen taking serious numbers of parrot fish. I remember seeing around 60 -70 on the fish tables by the Inn on the Bay at Lambeau, which were caught over the reef there.

There is certainly a local market for them and I believe they they are baked whole, packed in sea salt, in many parts of the world where they occur.

Ciguatera does build up in certain species of reef fish that graze on the algae that contains the toxin and the bigger the fish the more likely the risk of poisoning.

As with many toxins, heavy metals and pesticides, the apex predators accumulate high levels in their flesh as they consume the smaller (safer) fish. The Ciguatera neuro-toxin becomes concentrated the further up the food chain you go.

Barracuda are one of those fish that I wouldn't eat, but in many places around the world where Ciguatera occurs, indiginous peoples are rarely affected by it. In fact cuda are a delecacy where ever they are caught, although I can't help but wonder what the long-term affects of eating them could be - man being THE apex predator

Cheers
Steve