Just read the story myself.... Very, very poor form.
Even if the spearo's had done something earlier to piss off the fishos, it's still inexcusable.
Only thing I can think of, if anything, was that if the mates (as the report stated) had already bandaged up the wound, then the fisho's may not have seen how bad it really was?
I guess, I wasn't there, so am unable to form an informed opinion... but on face value, I agree, very poor form indeed.