When I posted about the top shifting baselines stories of 2007, including the story on smaller Euro series spearguns (to shoot smaller fish), one kind reader wrote to me asking if I'd heard how, in 1996, the International Underwater Spearfishing Association reset world records, creating 20th century records and a new 21st century category.
I had not.
And I'm floored. The world record reset is likely a result of most fish getting smaller and changes in species for which hunting is encouraged. Here is a quote from the IUSA:
As part of the reorganization, the Board of Directors had to address the problem of establishing a new list of world record species along with more current rules by which a world record fish is to be taken. The IUSA is extremely proud of the past efforts of divers which have resulted in world records and is dedicated to protecting those records already established. Due to the changing technology and the subsequent changing of the rules, the IUSA has hopefully constructed a system by which all future and past world record holders will benefit.
The old rules governing spearfishing world records ended at midnight PST on December 31, 1996. Spearfishing world records established under these rules are designated as 20th Century records and will stand forever. The new spearfishing world record rules took effect at 12:01 PST on January 1, 1997. World records established under these new rules are designated as 21st Century records and are the records which divers can attempt to attain.. Also with the new rules is a list of fish which are ineligible for consideration as world records.
Reset world records for speargunned fish. Just another shifting baseline...
Are those happy faces in response to reset world records?
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Jennifer -
I did a side by side comparison of the record catches for the 20th and 21st century. For those species common to both groups, the 20th century still has 12 records and the 21st 16. So I don't see any particularly strong evidence there of smaller critters caught. It looks like a case where they did a complete overhaul of the system because the system then in place was totally inadequate - controls and standards lacking seriously. They apparently waited for the old guard to wither away, and then did a re-tooling of the rules to bring their sport more in line with modern thinking.
Are those happy faces in response to reset world records?
I don't think so. :~) Boy, this doesn't seem like good news. Like we have passed the point where bigger fish are going to be found, no matter how hard they try.
Dave Briggs :~)
This study, conducted in the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, shows the changes in the spearfishing competitions over time. None of the current champions would have made it into the finals 30 years ago!
Just in case some of you cannot access the article referenced by Dr. Sala, here is the abstract:
Im not sure that the change in rules is a direct example of shifting baselines. A comparison between the two sets of records show that in most case the fish are actually getting larger (the exception, is species that are now protected from spearing or rare, but more on that later). For example: a list of species (some of my favourites) with pre and post record weights Amberjack 91lbs 110.2lb, Cobia 89lbs 104.5lbs, Hogfish 15lbs 21.0, Yellowfin tuna 259.9 316.9, Bluefin tuna 398lbs 643.7, Wahoo 84lbs to 125lbs, Pacific Yellowtail 68lbs 84lbs. For these fish it seems that they are actually getting bigger. (note: there are some records that still hold eg. Dolphinfish 70lbs -58.4lbs and lingcod 61lbs 35.4, however I believe these will change with time) I think they truly wanted to preserve the old records because most of them are going to be broken.
However, I dont believe this is the case of fish getting bigger, but it reflects changes in the gear used to capture the fish. Extensive improvements in freediving equipment such as carbon fins, low profile masks, shooting lines, floats, camouflage wet suits, shafts, and of course beautifully engineered spearguns have allowed spear fishermen to land fish that previously were un-accessible. If you look at the equipment that guys like Jack Prodanovich and Don Pinder; (pioneers of US spearfishing, some might say legendary) and no one today would attempt to shoot large fish with that kind of gear. Not only has the gear improved but faster boats and increase knowledge of fish movements have allowed spear fishermen to chase larger fish. Some of the older records were taken by guys swimming off a beach.
That being said, I believe that if todays spear fishermen had to use to gear of 40 years ago and fish in the same locations, most of the records would remain. Im pretty sure that Jack Prodanovichs record broomtail grouper was one of the last recorded in California waters. Several other species with old records withstanding, including the goliath grouper and giant sea bass, are now illegal to harvest due to overfishing in the past.
I think people differ greatly on this issue. For example, if it were completely unidentifiable as my own, I would have no problem with a picture of my naked ass being posted on the Internet. Others would be absolutely horrified by the prospect.