Found this in the Japan Update:

Fish prices soar as temperatures, fuel costs rise
Date Posted: 2007-08-23

Fishermen are bringing in catches 60% below normal, and prices for those fish are 50% higher than only months ago.

Only days ahead of the Okinawa Obon holidays, fishermen and wholesalers are worried there won't be fish available to satisfy market needs. Obon is August 28-29. The Naha City Tomari Fishermen’s Association blames global warming for part of the problem, and rising diesel fuel costs as the rest.

Ocean water temperatures have been rising recently, and as it does, fishing catches get smaller. The fishing association says temperatures are now three degrees Centigrade higher, resulting in June catches 60% below those of a year ago. As ocean water temperatures get warmer, prized, profitable fish move to deeper depths, making fishing more difficult and catches smaller. Fishing Association officials say member boat operators used to net 5-10 tons of fish per day, a volume that has now dwindled to 1-2 tons daily.

Many small boat operators say they can’t make a profit with the higher fuel costs, so have suspended their fishing operations. “I have never had this bad catches in my whole life” said one Naha fisherman. “Whether it’s global warming or some other reason that the water temperature is so much up, the result is that there is no fish to catch, and this business is no more profitable.” The man, who’s been fishing more than 40 years, adds that “with the price of diesel going through the roof, the cost is simply too high. That’s why I have all but stopped going fishing.”

Housewives are rebelling at the higher fish prices, refusing the 50% higher rates. They say prices are simply too much. Fish wholesalers are feeling the pinch, too. Shinzen Kuniyoshi says he is having a hard time too. “My company supplies fish to major hotels and big supermarkets,” he says. “We have contracts with these hotels and supermarkets, so I have to get the fish whatever the cost.” Kuniyoshi laments “It’s almost impossible to get any local fish these days. And even imported tuna and other large fish are difficult to get, and the prices are 30 to 50 percent higher than before.”

Sounds like a bunch of bs from lazy cry babies.

I dont know what they are talking about. I havent seen so many fish since I have been here!
Soon they will be blaming spearos. :bsflag:

It's gotta be because spearos are pulling the missing 5 tons of fish out of the water per year! That's the only reason. :liar:

For all the fish these comercial fisherman are pulling they would be insane to bann spear guns. We don't even scratch the surface. We should ban comercial fishing. There would be a lot of fish then. Every man for himself.

Was there an image of some sort? It didn't come up for me. Maybe this computer is a piece.

It's gotta be because spearos are pulling the missing 5 tons of fish out of the water per year! That's the only reason. :liar:

For all the fish these comercial fisherman are pulling they would be insane to bann spear guns. We don't even scratch the surface. We should ban comercial fishing. There would be a lot of fish then. Every man for himself.

I meant 5 tons daily.

Interesting... I think this is the culprit :rofl:

Dudes let me introduce myself, name's Woody. Would consider myself the "old guy" spearing here. Just turned 46, been on island since 1991. Retired AF and now civilian contractor at Kadena. Have read everybody's stories for the past few months and decided to "come out" since it seems you guys are turning into serious spearos.
Have traveled and speared all of Okinawa, the Keramas, Ie Zena/Heya, Ie Shima and oh yes the Bouys on the west side of the island. Started like all of you with a Hawaiian sling and have been shooting the same old faithful Riffe No Ka Oi for the past 12 years. Just purchased a Riffe Euro 110 for shallow water Makabu and Taman. Finally got off my lazy ass and got a yak.
Always up for an adventure...maybe we can share some fishing secrets or 2
Work normal hours weekly and have Sat and Sunday off. Can meet anywhere just name the time and place. Drop me a line. Cheers!

Im glad you worked up the courage and came out and said hey :yay:
What other kind of gear do you use? Fins, suit, mask, etc. How good a diver are you? What kind of yak you gots?
Welcome to the board!!!!!!! :smthumbup:

Ocean Kayak (Frenzy) got a one man. Small and easier to carry by myself. Bout the only important gear I figure is da gun. Got an old pair of Beau(shit) freediving fins purchased 10 years ago. Long and stiff (so to speak, but can there be any other?) blades. Of course oceanic blue camo suit. Just ordered another. Going over 40 meant a few more inches around the waste and another 2 lbs on the belt. YUKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
Dive experience...thats pretty subjective. Anyhow's I am a certified diving instructor and don't teach anymore. Just takes up too much time and would much rather be spearing fishies anyhow. Besides freediving I also spear on scuba. Best friend is a 60 something yo japanese fisherman. Been spearing with him for almost my entire time on Oki. Go with him all the time and have never had any problems. Spearing on scuba is great spirits but freediving is just as much fun.
Average depths for me on freediving is 30 to 60 feet. I haven't found any reason to go any deeper. Just can't spend enough time at the deeper depths to warrant the risk on my old bones. I was one young and invincible but now older and more cautious.
Seems you dudes have found the good spots here. Everyone that I can determine from your coded messages I have visited a time or 2. Will speak up and say I think I know your Ikei spots. Good fishing over there. Use to be better. Especially Makabu and Taman. Your Hedo areas are also good. Big fish in some of those areas as ya'll have found out....:chuck: has seen some big grouper.

Cool another old guy to make me look bad we will have to dive some time.

Well I would just like to say that beuchat is the best company out there. I have found no other in comparison with fins and wetsuits for the price and quality.
I really cant stand scuba, its annoying, expensive, and I feel like crap all the time after doing it.
Young and invincible isnt the case here. Its all about passion, competition, and reaching goals. One man who really impressed me is this guy Reyton and Ben Parker. Reyton can keep up with me yet he is completly out of shape. Ben is a man who is great shape for his age. I believe I havent dove with anyone quite his age and yet he keeps up and what I thaught out did us in stamina. He dives to about 80' I think since that is about where that napolean was and he was down there to shoot a good size Coral Trout leaving the Napolean alone for me to film. (thanks Ben)
I dove 102ft to shoot the biggest makabu I have ever saw. Went down around that depth to try to shoot a Coral Trout I swear would have been over 100cm long and I have a whitness. Last weekend I dropped my secret fish attractor for my dive bud so he could shoot a Napolean. So I decided to just dive down and see if I could find it. I dove right on it and came up and my watch said 100ft.
Young and invinsible would be diving that deep by yourself.
Okinawa is only the tip of the iceburg. From big bill fish to goatfish its all here in these waters. Our favorite spots havent even been discussed.
Anyway enough of that. Welcome and feel free to pitch any info you have about anything to help everyone out.
Oh and thanks for all your info thus far.

Cool another old guy to make me look bad we will have to dive some time.

But Im younger than you :D

Hey Roberto? Did you see that slippery dick fish? That is no crap a real fish. This friend of mine, she sent me this photo she took at an aquarium. I just :rofl: my butt off when I saw it.

BS,

I was on deeperblue last night and noticed that someone who works at Okuma is looking for someone to teach freediving out of Okuma. Don't know if you would be intersted but thought I would let you know.

Welcome. Anyone hear from Joelovesfishing? He was talking about meeting up in the morning, and then I didn't hear anything after that. Joe.?.?.? I'll be there at 0600.

Rob, What do you have going on tomorrow?

BS,

I was on deeperblue last night and noticed that someone who works at Okuma is looking for someone to teach freediving out of Okuma. Don't know if you would be intersted but thought I would let you know.

Well I guess I could but that is a far drive not to mention I wouldnt feel safe teaching something so dangerous. I havent been to a professional class so I dont feel safe teaching others. That is why I really dont talk much about how to freedive with other people. I just did a bunch of trial and error.
But I appreciate it and I will get on DB and look at that.

Skinner, Joe said he wasnt going to make it.

I know where I will be at 0600 and thats in my bed. I might be able to make it out in the morning later in the week though.

Yeah, I just read that. I guess I'll go it alone. Let me know when you want to get in the water Rob.

BS - are you still wanting to go after work today? I called but the lady says your phone is switched off.

Yeah passion is the key component! My wife (Okinawan) and all her family call me crazy for the things I do. Drive for 2 hours, spearfish for 6, then drive another 2 hours home. I just chalk it up to good ole American culture. I use to teach Japanese to scuba. The society just doesn't have the same drive and passion for issues like spearfishing as Americans. Hey whats going on with the competition? Anybody think Okuma as a good place to do it from? There's lots of good areas within a very short distance.

Skinner,

How was it this morning? I was driving into work this morning, at the ass crack of dawn and was drooling. The seas looked beautiful. Let me know if you want to go tomorrow morning.

Joe

BS - are you still wanting to go after work today? I called but the lady says your phone is switched off.

Ya Ben my cell doesnt get reception in this hanger. Im good to go if you still want to go out. Just let me know when.

Yeah passion is the key component! My wife (Okinawan) and all her family call me crazy for the things I do. Drive for 2 hours, spearfish for 6, then drive another 2 hours home. I just chalk it up to good ole American culture. I use to teach Japanese to scuba. The society just doesn't have the same drive and passion for issues like spearfishing as Americans. Hey whats going on with the competition? Anybody think Okuma as a good place to do it from? There's lots of good areas within a very short distance.

I cant even begin to explain how many looks I have got from the japanese with the things I do. I think I have had my picture taken about 1000 times here in Okinawa and in Hawaii. They think your nuts if you go underwater with a snorkel. They look at you funny when you swim around w/o a tire tube. Applaud you for going to the deep end. Once heard a story of a japanese tourist ask some buds if they were professional freedivers for diving that airplane wreck. They were like of course we are :D
Oh ya the one thing that I think is really funny is the rest stops on the express way. I think you can get from one end of that road to the other in under an hour.

Skinner,

How was it this morning? I was driving into work this morning, at the ass crack of dawn and was drooling. The seas looked beautiful. Let me know if you want to go tomorrow morning.

Joe

:iagree: I hope someone had the chance to get out today!

Skinner,

How was it this morning? I was driving into work this morning, at the ass crack of dawn and was drooling. The seas looked beautiful. Let me know if you want to go tomorrow morning.

Joe

I went South and got in the water a little before 8. The waves were a little bit intimidating at first, but once I got past the break there was only a mild current. I think the vis was in the 40 to 50 foot range. Kinda murky in spots, but the best I've seen this year. It made 50 feet look really close, and ascending to glass on top was definitely something I haven't done yet. It's kinda disorienting.

Since I was alone, I was trying to stay within the 30 to 40 range just to play it safe. I got down and looked at my new computer, which by the way in case anyone is wondering is Really Really cool, :D:bounce::yay: and was like 50 ft? I've realized that my estimations of my previous bottom times/breath holds were pretty much right. I was averaging between 40 seconds to a minute on each dive. I forgot to drink water yesterday so I was dehydrated, and I only slept like 2 hours last night for some damn reason, so I didn't feel a hundred percent. My best dive was 46 feet for 1 min 8 sec.

Oh, I didn't shoot a damn thing. They knew I was there and weren't having any part of what I wanted to do. There were some good sized Mu, some small to medium sized Taman and skads of stupid parrots. I don't know how many times I said to myself "F'n Parrots". Good time though. My new booties made the coral my bitch and they fit perfect in my foot pockets. Nice and snug.

I'm going again tomorrow. Let me know what you want to do.

I'm going again tomorrow. Let me know what you want to do.

I'm glad someone got out today. I'm going to try and sneak out this evening.

If your willing to travel a little north, I run along Zampa in the mornings and have seen fish chasing the baitfish. I think its either doggies or Bonita, but somewhat pelagic fish none the less. Are you interested? If it's too far for you, I'm not opposed to hitting the seawall or Kadena. Let me know.

Joe

It's not too far, I didn't get on the road until about 7 this morning because of the Man. It should be pretty much the same tomorrow. What kind of time do you have? I'll make sure and take care of myself today so I don't feel like shit tomorrow. I just remembered, I didn't even eat dinner at all last night.

I hit a bonita out at Zanpa before. I bet that's what it is. I'm down. When and where is good for you? I think it's good to meet at Foster Shopette so we can get ice and last minute stuff. Whatever works for you, just let me know.

It's not too far, I didn't get on the road until about 7 this morning because of the Man. It should be pretty much the same tomorrow. What kind of time do you have? I'll make sure and take care of myself today so I don't feel like shit tomorrow. I just remembered, I didn't even eat dinner at all last night.

I hit a bonita out at Zanpa before. I bet that's what it is. I'm down. When and where is good for you? I think it's good to meet at Foster Shopette so we can get ice and last minute stuff. Whatever works for you, just let me know.

I live between Zanpa and Foster, so it would be easier just to meet up at Zanpa. I'll PM you my cellphone #. If you can give me a buzz when you hit the road, I'll head out to meet you. We can meet in the parking lot near the lighthouse.

If anyone's interested in plugging some fish this evening around Torii, Zampa, Onna, up North. Let me know, the misses teaches English tonight and I have to stay away from the house.

Joe

Guys,
Ever see this machine parked by the ocean, GUARANTEE I'm in the water with a speargun in hand. Ever see this machine on land its loaded with an arsenal of guns and equipment. Cheers!:chuck:

Hey I just got back from that part of the flightline :)

Guys,
Ever see this machine parked by the ocean, GUARANTEE I'm in the water with a speargun in hand. Ever see this machine on land its loaded with an arsenal of guns and equipment. Cheers!:chuck:

You shouldn't put that out in an open forum. :redcard: Your car might get jacked!
:D

You can find that awsome machine parked at building 3380 on Kadena AB 7 to 4 weekdays. Who knows what a "well packing" spearo might have protecting his gear and machine. Cheers:crazy:

dude who are you? what do you mean beuchat is the best, I tell you right now riffe is the best!! all of my records come from Riffe guns, I dont mess around skinny pipe guns. Reyton? that guy sounds familiar, is he the guy from Hawaii? the former nationally rank spearo? yeah is he still here on Okinawa? last time I saw him he got fat and heavy. and you went down 102ft to shoot a makabu and not land it.................what a waste of time and breath. you must be a novice diver.


Well I would just like to say that beuchat is the best company out there. I have found no other in comparison with fins and wetsuits for the price and quality.
I really cant stand scuba, its annoying, expensive, and I feel like crap all the time after doing it.
Young and invincible isnt the case here. Its all about passion, competition, and reaching goals. One man who really impressed me is this guy Reyton and Ben Parker. Reyton can keep up with me yet he is completly out of shape. Ben is a man who is great shape for his age. I believe I havent dove with anyone quite his age and yet he keeps up and what I thaught out did us in stamina. He dives to about 80' I think since that is about where that napolean was and he was down there to shoot a good size Coral Trout leaving the Napolean alone for me to film. (thanks Ben)
I dove 102ft to shoot the biggest makabu I have ever saw. Went down around that depth to try to shoot a Coral Trout I swear would have been over 100cm long and I have a whitness. Last weekend I dropped my secret fish attractor for my dive bud so he could shoot a Napolean. So I decided to just dive down and see if I could find it. I dove right on it and came up and my watch said 100ft.
Young and invinsible would be diving that deep by yourself.
Okinawa is only the tip of the iceburg. From big bill fish to goatfish its all here in these waters. Our favorite spots havent even been discussed.
Anyway enough of that. Welcome and feel free to pitch any info you have about anything to help everyone out.
Oh and thanks for all your info thus far.

dude who are you? what do you mean beuchat is the best, I tell you right now riffe is the best!! all of my records come from Riffe guns, I dont mess around skinny pipe guns. Reyton? that guy sounds familiar, is he the guy from Hawaii? the former nationally rank spearo? yeah is he still here on Okinawa? last time I saw him he got fat and heavy. and you went down 102ft to shoot a makabu and not land it.................what a waste of time and breath. you must be a novice diver.

Reyton is the pillsburry dough boy from hawaii. He is so bad ass! He has shot some of the biggest fish I have ever seen!
Ya hes still here on Oki but only for a few more weeks. *tear*
Wasnt a terrible waste of breath, I hit a new depth.
Im not novice, Im beginah!