Half Moon Bay Spearfisherman Lands World Record For 37-Pound Lingcod

Dan Silveira of Half Moon Bay landed a new century world record for lingcod at this year’s U.S. National Freediving Spearfishing Championships, hosted by CenCal, the Central California Council of Diving Clubs, Inc. on Thursday, Aug. 2 in Albion, Calif.

The prestigious National Championships are held annually in select locations throughout the U.S. where, along with being crowned National Champion, divers are competing for their place on Team U.S.A where they achieve the opportunity of representing the United States in all world competitions.

Silveira shot the fish in a hole at a depth of 45 feet then spent another hour of diving to dig the big fish from its cave. His 37-pound ling bested the previous record speared by Dennis Haussler at the Nationals held in Russian Gulch in 2000.

Forty six competitors in 17 teams from Florida, the Midwest, Washington and all over California freedove in a range two miles north and south of the Albion River for six hours in 6-8 foot swells and thick kelp. 

The 48-degree water was harsh for the Florida divers and several competitors swamped their kayaks in the current.  Individual divers made up to 70 decents at depths up to 75 feet. Scouts spent two to 30 days diving in advance preparation for the contest.

Championship rules allow a catch of up to 20 fish with no more than four per species (no eels, finless fish, sharks or shellfish). Length limits are sometimes longer than allowed by DFG. One point is awarded per fish and one point awarded per pound (up to 25 pounds per fish).

Even after team member Dave Edlund swamped his kayak and was disqualified for needing safety boat assistance, his remaining teammates Harold Gibson and Dan Silveira on Cencal Team 3 scored 198.98 points to take the first place team award.   

The catch (except the record winning fish) was donated to the Point Arena Senior Center where volunteers clean and freeze the fish for meals at the Center.

The sport of competitive freedive spearfishing is governed by the Underwater Society of America (USOA) in the United States , and the Confederation Mondiale Des Activities Subaquatiques (C.M.A.S) Worldwide. The World championships date back to 1954.

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