Legislation that promotes safe freediving practices for spearfishers has been introduced in the Hawaii State Legislature.
The Spearfishing Safety Bill (HB1765) formalizes safety practices long supported by the freediving and spearfishing community in Hawaii by requiring a simple warning label on spearguns and pole spears addressing the risk of freediver blackout.
The proposed law states:
“The legislature finds that breath-hold diving associated with spearfishing presents a risk of hypoxia, including shallow-water blackout, which may result in loss of consciousness, serious injury, or death. The legislature further finds that increased public awareness of hypoxic risk has been shown to reduce preventable drowning incidents.
“The legislature recognizes that spearfishing is a lawful activity in the State and includes traditional, cultural, subsistence, and recreational practices.
“Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to promote public health and safety through clear risk disclosure, without restricting lawful fishing practices or traditional uses, by establishing safety-warning requirements regarding spearfishing.”
According to FreediveSafe! Founder Niki Roderick:
“HB1765 does not restrict access to ocean resources. Its purpose is to protect new divers by providing the transparency and safety standards expected in any high-risk activity. This is Hawai’i leading the way — prioritizing ocean safety so our sport can be enjoyed responsibly, now and for generations to come.
“If you’ve ever benefited from a FreediveSafe! presentation or outreach event, you know how vital education and awareness are. Your voice matters. By sharing your support and preparing to submit testimony in the coming weeks, you can help shape a safer future for the next generation of divers.
“Mahalo nui loa to the Hawai’i Water Safety Coalition and Representative Jeanne Kapela (@repkapela) for their leadership and support.”
The bill — the first of its kind worldwide for the freediving and spearfishing community — is dedicated to the memory of spearfishers who have lost their lives, according to Roderick.
“The stories have been heard; now comes action.”
Check out the full bill text at hawaii.gov.
