Spearfishing Snapper and Salmon in Half Moon Bay, Melbourne

[@shedmanx3640]

Used to snorkel inside the Cerberus back in the 1970’s, before the exclusion zone was mandated. There were big holes in the hull where you could gain entry and swim the length of the hull along corridors. You had to take big breaths as air pockets were very sparse. Back then the central hold was filled with wire, rubbish and a large Conger Eel. Back then you used to be able to climb onto the wooden deck and sun bake as well. I’m 67 now so my diving days are over, but I still recall the good times.

[@bluenick2704]

Thanks for sharing your experience! That would be great to be able to do on a calm day, especially since it’s such a shallow wreck. I’ll just have to find other wrecks I guess!

[@stevehall734]

G'day mate. I'm the same vintage and had the same experience. Went there often from Mentone for a bit of diving. Never had much luck in the way of fish but did enjoy swimming inside the ship. Cheers.

[@JasonWhittle1]

How close can you spearfish near it without a permit? How do you get a permit??

[@bluenick2704]

There’s a 0.5 hectare protected zone demarcated by buoys for the HMVS Cerberus, so you can go as close as that. I briefly looked at getting a permit but it looks onerous and includes a permit application to Heritage Victoria…

[@JasonWhittle1]

@@bluenick2704 0.5ha looks like you can hunt anywhere past 30m from it's edge. Cool.

[@stevepog]

great work, salmon spearing is underrated for how often you can shoot into a big school and either miss the lot or get two in one! That spot is a classic for lost gear as well. Found a knife, masks, snorkel and two weight belts out there

[@bluenick2704]

Thank you - agreed! I took some surface shots and rushed shots which didn't help haha.

[@karenazajicek6873]

What a great experience, thx for sharing it with us.

[@bluenick2704]

Cheers!

[@MR_JESKPLAYS]

We’ve shot huge khawai/australian salmon out at Portsea. They fun and also tasty smoked.

[@bluenick2704]

It’s always a good dive when the salmon schools show up!

[@nickdanne7270]

Great footage! Whats the silver thing on your left hand?

[@bluenick2704]

Thanks! It’s a mirror strapped to the back of my hand - used as a flasher and to check when the GoPro is on/off. It’s so useful

[@gregstuart9783]

Many years ago, we snorkelled there a lot, but one day I saw a BR octopus in the shallows, a toddler was playing with it! The mother was totally oblivious and this was before the distractions of mobile phones!!!

[@bluenick2704]

That’s so scary! The fact that there is no anti-venom for a blue ring octopus bite is still wild to me 😳

[@TimLeary-rw3oq]

Nice. Used too jump of the wreck and swim inside.

[@bluenick2704]

That sounds like it would have been fun on a calm day

[@TimLeary-rw3oq]

@@bluenick2704 never saw fish like that but. Used to catch good flathead and a few pinky’s if u we’re lucky

[@Astonvicfish]

Hey not to be a Karen by any means putting snapper or pinky guts into water is illegal

[@bluenick2704]

Hey mate, I appreciate that you are looking out for fisheries regulations. However, in this instance fisheries literature does not support your claim. Here is what fisheries says about snapper ( vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/recreational-fishing-guide/catch-limits-and-closed-seasons/types-of-fish/marine-and-estuarine-scale-fish/snapper ): "These fish can't be filleted in or on Victorian waters. They must be kept whole or in carcass form until you're away from the water. It's okay to fillet your fish on the cleaning tables at the boat ramp. Carcass (scale fish) - The body of a fish that is not cut or mutilated in any manner other than to remove the gut, gills or scales." There is a specific exemption for gutting fish. I've also called fisheries to confirm. Please link me if there exists further guidance about this practice, but otherwise all the other documentation doesn't support your claim.

[@JasonWhittle1]

Actually, it is not illegal.