Blue Water News

By Rob Torelli
“One Fish” is a new spear fishing adventure film set in the heart of Mozambique as well as showcasing spearfishermen from around the world who are all dreaming of that one fish. That One Fish that defines them as spearfishermen. It is in the pursuit of this dream that South African spearfisherman/producers, Richard Leonard and Chris Coates have been filming some of the best footage from all over the globe. There are Spearo’s from 10 countries participating in this project making this film an array of diverse spearfishing styles and culture. These guys are some of the better freediving underwater videographers in the world. It’s this that sets this film apart from every other spearfishing film ever made.

Taking us on the journey around the world and to Mozambique to find that one fish is Richard Leonard and Chris Coates two friends that have been united by their passion for the sport of spear fishing and their relentless tenacity in chasing the dream of that one fish.

These guys have immense passion for showcasing spearfishing on film and Robert Torelli happily supplied them some footage of my recent pioneering trip to the “Boiling Sea” where l was lucky enough to land a World Record Big Eye Tuna. I was blown away with Cameron Kirkconnell’s capture of a World Record Tuna with a Pole Spear! Some of the other divers you will meet along the way are Phillippe Virgili – France, Matti Pyykko – Finland, Franck Labassa – France, Richard Parkinson – Trinidad & Tobago, Mohammed Jassim Al-Kuwari – Qatar, Wassim Zein from Abu Dhabi, UAE, Gletwyn Rubrige – South Africa, Christopher Ananidias – Brazil, Alfonso Chavez – Peru, Austin Derry – USA.

One fish is the ultimate spear fishing experience with an abundant variety of 45 species landed and over 100 fish shot, 3 world records broken and that one fish. The One fish that Chris Coates has been dreaming of for 20 years now. This action packed adventure proves to be one of the most ambitious spearfishing films ever made and pure ecstasy for any spearfisherman, with a climactic ending few will ever forget. The last fish of the adventure being, an achievement few spearos will ever be able to accomplish, with Chris Coates taking a 500lb Marlin on an untethered 1.3 Rob Allen real gun.

One Fish is being distributed in Australia by Blue Water Hunting International at only $29.95 inclusive of postage and handling.

Get it now in our online shop!

Blue Water Hunting International has just completed their two annual 9-day live a board spearfishing expeditions to the Coral Sea.

Planned for the best “spearfishing” and “weather” time of the year, (November and December) the BWHI crew were blessed with magnificent weather and SENSATIONAL spearfishing.

Both trips were led by BWHI principal and multiple Australian Spearfishing Champion Robert Torelli along with fellow guides Dr. Adam Smith and Murray Peterson. Guests came from across the globe to fish in what many call the “Mount Everest of spearfishing, the pristine and abundant waters of the Coral Sea”.

Divers were mainly targeting blue water species such as the massive Dog Tooth Tuna that this region is famous for. Other species landed included Wahoo, Black Marlin, Dolphin Fish, Yellow fin Tuna, Giant Trevally and the tasty Green Job fish. Visibility varied between 25-40 meters with a toasty warm 29.5 Degrees Celsius water temperature.

Trip one saw the divers depart Port Douglas and return to Cairns and dive the remote reefs of the Coral Sea. Destinations visited included Holmes Reef, Bougainville Reef, Shark Reef, Vema Reef, southern Osprey Reef and various Sea Mounts. Dogtooth Tuna were regularly encountered and specimens up to 200 pound were seen by the selective spearfisherman. Whilst the largest specimen landed was a 120 pound specimen by US based spearfisherman Jim McCollem several divers lost potential National and World Record fish! Blue Marlin were also encountered along with numerous Wahoo. One dead calm afternoon a floating FAD was found and this kept the divers entertained for the afternoon with numerous Wahoo and Dolphin Fish being taken.

The second trip departed Cairns and would return to Port Douglas. Again the seas were very favourable with no wind over 10-15 knots and most days less than 5 knots! A large number of Black Marlin were encountered and divers saw Marlin on most days. US based spearfisherman Nick Lopez landed his heaviest fish ever with a 250 pound Black Marlin whilst his dad George “Doc” Lopez landed a personal best 120 pound Dogtooth Tuna! The “honours” on this trip though went to Australian based spearfisherman Andrew Bateman with a 180 pound Dog Tooth Tuna. Andrew landed this incredible fish single handed with a 1.3 meter double rubber speargun and single point. Andrew had previous seen fish to this size but could not get a good shot. When this monster materialised in front of the flasher Andrew took very careful aim and landed a truly world class Dog Tooth Tuna. Other good fish landed include nice Wahoo to 60 pounds and Yellow fin Tuna to 50 pounds. On this trip the divers fished the northern reefs such as Shark, Vema and Osprey along with several isolated Sea Mounts.

If you would like to see some of the action from the trips please view the slideshow link below:
Trip 1: http://www.bwhi.com.au/slideshow/1/
Trip2: http://www.bwhi.com.au/slideshow/2/

All up both trips proved very entertaining and successful and many of the same divers plan to return again next year. BWHI are at present planning their 2011 Coral Sea expeditions and will be running
several more expeditions to cater for the insatiable demand. For more information, contact Robert Torelli at Blue Water Hunting International at: enquiries@bwhi.com.au or phone: + 613 5998 1116.

Coral Sea Sustainable Spearfishing

The Coral Sea is one of the most important areas for Australian spearfishers because of clear water and big fish such as Dogtooth tuna and other pelagics. The Coral Sea is the trip of a lifetime for selective spearfishers but we have major concerns that future access may be restricted due to proposed large marine protected areas. In order to share information about our sustainable activity and the importance of the Coral Sea, the Australian Underwater Federation is working with key divers and organisations such as Blue Water Hunting International and TV show, “Spearing the Menu” to collect research (eg dogtooth biology, shark counts) and credible information on Sustainable Spearfishing.

A media release and two TV segments (vision from Andy Hallam) see links below, which aim to communicate with our stakeholders and the general public about sustainable Spearfishing and the importance of the Coral Sea.

7 News Report
Win News Report
AUF Media Release

You can help communicate by talking to people about the importance of Spearfishing in the Coral Sea or supporting the AUF with your membership, time or money (www.auf.com.au) or writing to your local or federal Politician with your views.

2011 Coral Sea Expeditions

All up both trips proved very entertaining and successful and many of the same divers plan to return again next year. BWHI are at present planning their 2011 Coral Sea expeditions and will be running

several more expeditions to cater for the insatiable demand. For more information, contact Robert Torelli at Blue Water Hunting International at: enquiries@bwhi.com.au or phone: + 613 5998 1116.

BWHI are proud to launch their new vessel MV Southern Explorer in Victorian in January. They will be conducting spearfishing Charters along the Victorian coast line and offshore islands.

The start of the crayfish season has been good with great catches to date and the Kingfish have started to appear.

Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) have been caught off Lady Julia Percy Island in mid December and things are looking very promising for both the SBT and Albacore season. BWHI are taking bookings out of Portland as of now so do not hesitate to call Rob Torelli and discuss your charter needs.

Destinations include Wilsons Promontory, Phillip Island, Cape Schank, Portland and more. Charters are upon request and need to be booked with Rob Torelli. Contact him on 03 5998 1116 or mobile 0417 55 99 85.