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Spearfishing facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Spearfishing is a very old way of catching fish. People have used it for thousands of years all over the world. Early humans learned to spear fish in rivers and streams. They used sharpened sticks to catch their food.

A Look Back in Time

Spearfishing has a long history. Ancient people used it to get food. There are cave paintings that show people spearfishing. In ancient Egypt, people used spears to catch fish in the Nile River. The ancient Greeks and Romans also practiced spearfishing. They used tridents, which are spears with three prongs.

How Spearfishing Works Today

Today, spearfishing is often a sport or a hobby. People usually do it underwater while holding their breath. This is called freediving spearfishing. They use special spears or spearguns. These tools help them catch fish in the ocean or in freshwater.

Equipment for Spearfishing

To go spearfishing, you need a few important things:

  • Speargun or Pole Spear: These are the main tools for catching fish. Spearguns use rubber bands or compressed air to shoot a spear. Pole spears are simpler, often just a long pole with a tip.
  • Mask, Snorkel, and Fins: These help you see underwater and move around easily.
  • Wetsuit: A wetsuit keeps you warm in the water.
  • Weight Belt: This helps you sink down into the water more easily.
  • Dive Knife: This is for safety, in case you get tangled.

Safety First

Spearfishing can be fun, but it's important to be safe.

  • Always go with a buddy. Never spearfish alone.
  • Know the rules and laws for spearfishing in your area.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and other people in the water.
  • Learn how to use your equipment safely before you go.

Images for kids

  • SpearfisherMonument

    Spearfisher Monument in Croatia

  • Tomb of Usheret 01

    Fisherman with a spear in a wall painting from the tomb of Usheret in Thebes, 18 Dynasty, around 1430 BC

  • Scenes from every land, second series; a collection of 250 illustracions picturing the people, natural phenomena, and animal life in all parts of the world. With one map and a bibliography of (14767006695)

    A Hawaiian spearfisher (1909).

  • Fishing arrow Guyana

    Head of an arrow used for fishing, from Guyana.

  • Spearfisherman Ryu Kyu Islands July 2007

    Spearfisherman hunting Yellowfin tuna in the Ryukyu Islands

  • Hauki

    Freshwater pike catch in Finland

  • Spear fishing Peru

    Night spear fishing, Amazon basin, Peru

  • PaulKane-HuntingFish-ROM

    Menominees spearfishing salmon at night by torchlight and canoe on Fox River

  • A smoky day at the Sugar Bowl--Hupa

    A Hupa man with his spear

  • Inuit hunter with harpoon

    Inuit hunter with harpoon in kayak, Hudson Bay, circa 1908-1914

  • Hellenic Federation of Underwater Activity & Sport Fishing Office

    Office of the Hellenic Federation of Underwater Activity & Sport Fishing

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pesca submarina para niños

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Spearfishing Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.