A copy of the rock fishing safety signs installed at Port Kembla. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
Headed out to some of the Illawarra’s spectacular coastline in search of that prized catch? Remember to take your life jacket.
For many, rock fishing is a perfect festive season pastime, but it’s also one of Australia’s most dangerous activities, claiming around 13 lives each year, in most cases when people are not wearing life jackets.
The statistics include six lives lost at Port Kembla since 2021.
On 22 December this year a 34-year-old man went missing after rock fishing near Bushrangers Bay. Despite an extensive search, the only trace of him that has been found are the belongings he left on the rocks.
Wollongong was declared a high-risk rock fishing area under the Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016 and life jackets are mandatory for all participants at high-risk locations.
Locations deemed high-risk include naturally occurring rock platforms or rock formations exposed to ocean swell.
Patrolling NSW Police can issue $100 on-the-spot fines for non-compliance.
Large swells are forecast for the weekend, and Wollongong City Council’s Operations Manager of Beach Services Murray Copas urged all fishers to wear approved life jackets and take all safety precautions when heading out to enjoy the rest of summer.
“People who head out without life jackets are risking a lot more than a fine,” Mr Copas said.
“No matter how experienced or knowledgeable you may be, the ocean can be extremely dangerous and unpredictable and life jackets help save lives.
“People fishing without one are putting their own lives at risk, and potentially those of lifeguard and emergency services personnel called on to respond when someone is swept off the rocks.
“We ask people to check coastal conditions and warnings before venturing out, take note of signage and please wear approved life jackets.
“If you have any doubts about the safety of a location, do not go there.”
Other safety precautions he recommended were to regularly check weather and tide conditions, wear appropriate clothing and footwear with non-slip soles, never fish alone and always carry a mobile phone, EPIRB or two-way radio.
If someone is swept into the water, do not jump in after them. If there is a lifebuoy, angel ring or flotation device nearby, throw it to the person to help them keep afloat and call triple zero (000) immediately.
In Kiama, Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) is trialling the use of artificial intelligence (AI) camera technology at the Kiama Blowhole in a bid to reduce rock fishing drowning deaths.
The SAIL Project (Surveillance AI for Lifesaving) uses AI and innovative camera-based platforms to identify incidents at unpatrolled and high-risk locations.
“Kiama Blowhole has sadly been the site of so many rock fishing accidents and emergencies attended by our lifesavers and callout teams,” SLSNSW CEO Steve Pearce said.
“By using AI to detect when someone gets washed off the rocks, and being able to keep them in sight once in the water, means we can respond so much sooner to perform a rescue.”
Cameras mounted on a post will capture continuous video feeds and when AI identifies an emergency event, the SLSNSW State Operations Centre (SOC) is alerted.
An operator can then monitor the camera stream to validate the emergency and task the closest, most appropriate rescue resource to respond, be it lifesavers or lifeguards, jetskis, IRBs, drones or rescue helicopters.
Post-incident data will be used to refine the AI model.
“Kiama, particularly Blowhole Point, is the second-most deadly place for rock fishing in NSW. We’ve had 11 deaths in the past 15 years just from rock fishing,” said Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald.
“Anything that contributes to the potential safety of people in and around our beautiful coastline and waterways is welcome.”
