New Rock Fishing Safety Program Launched Today

New Rock Fishing Safety Program Launched Today

".....as soon as the wave hit me I knew I was in trouble...."

With new figures confirming rock fishing's reputation as one of the most dangerous pastimes in the country, Surf Life Saving has joined forces with fishing organisations to launch a new safety program, including multi-lingual educational resources, community workshops and additional 'angel rings' (life buoys installed at popular ocean rock fishing spots).

The 2009 National Coastal Safety Report produced by Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) found that of the 94 people who died by drowning around the coast during the twelve months to 30 June 2009, 12 (13%) were fishing on rocks or beaches at the time.

And in a startling indicator of how poorly-prepared many rock fishers are, 75% of respondents recently interviewed *1 admitted to never wearing a lifejacket when they fish.

SLSA CEO Brett Williamson OAM said the new intervention program would target high-risk groups, particularly in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

"Rock fishers need to ensure they fish in a safe manner and, thanks to funding from the Australian Government, we are working with recreational fishing bodies to implement a comprehensive program which focuses on education and intervention," he said.

"Along with new educational resources in a number of community languages, we will conduct a series of workshops in NSW, Victoria and WA, as well as implementing the recommendations of the coastal risk audit conducted in the Randwick local government area, which is the national 'black spot' for rock fishing deaths, with 10 fatalities over the past five years.

"Our simple message to rock fishers is - always wear a lifejacket and don't put your life on the line," Mr Williamson concluded.

The national program was launched by Federal Member for Kingsford Smith, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, at Bondi today, with the first in the series of community workshops to be held around the country.

Participants in the workshop heard from Vietnamese-born Dinh Tranh, from Fairfield in Sydney, who has lived in Australia for 13 years and almost drowned while rock fishing at Avoca Beach in June this year.

"Initially I wear my lifejacket - it was around 2.30 in the afternoon and it was very hot and I took off my lifejacket," Dinh recalled. "I move from my current spot to a different spot and I been swept off into the ocean. I think it was about a 2m wave and as soon as the wave hit me knew I was in trouble. My feet were lifted off and I fall down, then I slide through the edge and fall down to the water.

"I thought I would be dead, because I wear a lot of clothes especially at winter time, so it was very heavy and I can't really swim.

"When my friend saw me fall to the water, he quickly ran to the rock platform where I left my gear there, and he grabbed my lifejacket and his own lifejacket. He quickly ran back to the edge and throw the lifejacket to me.

"As soon as I grabbed my lifejacket I start to swim slowly to grab the other lifejacket. I swam away from the rocks for my own safety. I been hanging around the water for 45 minutes. I was really scared of sharks. I was waiting for the Westpac Helicopter Rescue and they came and rescue me they winched me up and took me back to the rock platform."

Australian National Sportfishing Association (ANSA) National Safety Officer, Stan Konstantaras, said that although Dinh's story was a classic example of how rock fishers get into trouble, once in the water his reactions, and those of his friend, saved his life.

"In swimming towards the flotation devices and away from the rocks, Dinh behaved differently from many others who, in the same situation, desperately try to scramble back on the rocks," he said.

"Lifejackets, appropriate footwear and a quick check of conditions are a few simple rules all rock anglers need to follow - if it's too rough - go home, or find a more protected spot to fish."

Following his near-drowning, Dinh Tranh now feels well-qualified to provide safety advice to his fellow rock fishers.

"First thing, I would say a lifejacket is a must for the rock fishing angler,' he said. "Never ever fish alone, check the weather and make sure the swell is below 1.5 metres, especially for rock fishing. And the most important is wear light clothes. Please, don't put your life on the line."

Community workshops are taking place on Saturday in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. SLSA is also giving away two lifejackets every month for 12 months from November 2009 see www.safefishing.com.au for further details.

The rock fishing safety program is an initiative of Surf Life Saving along with the Australian National Sportfishing Association, the Australian Recreational and Sport Fishing Confederation and the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW.

It has been funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Health and Ageing with assistance from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and is one of three major coastal safety strategies to be launched by SLSA this summer.

*1 Interviews with 62 rock fishers conducted by ANSA volunteers at popular rock fishing locations in Randwick Council during September 2009

www.safefishing.com.au

For further information:

Surf Life Saving Australia
Sean O'Connell Public Affairs Manager
0407 286 619

MMM
Jesse Wong,
Multicultural Marketing & Management
(02) 9687 6788

Surf Life Saving Australia
Surf Life Saving New South Wales
Australian National Sportfishing Association
Australian Recreational and Sport Fishing Confederation
Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW

SOURCE: Surf Life Saving and Others