Spearfishing is a method of fishing that involves impaling the fish with a straight pointed object such as a spear, gig or harpoon.

It has been deployed in artisanal fishing throughout the world for millennia. Early civilisations were familiar with the custom of spearing fish from rivers and streams using sharpened sticks.

Modern spearfishing usually involves the use of underwater swimming gear and slingshot-like elastic powered spearguns or compressed gas powered pneumatic spearguns, which launch a tethered underwater projectile to strike the target fish. Specialised techniques and equipment have been developed for various types of aquatic environments and target fish.

Competitive spearfishing is defined by the world governing body CMAS as “the hunting and capture of fish underwater without the aid of artificial breathing devices, using gear that depends entirely on the physical strength of the competitor.“

All Federations affiliated to the CMAS Sports Committee and with voting rights to the discipline concerned are allowed to take part.

CMAS has published a set of competition rules that are used by affiliated organizations, including Albania Diving Federation.