Common sense sometimes on the rocks

17.05.2010

ROCK fishing can be a very
enjoyable experience, be it for the
first-timer who wishes to learn more.
or for the fisho with years of
experience. The risks are the same,
and no one wants to become a frontpage
headline or end up a statistic.
The Recreational Fishing
Alliance's sympathies go out to all
the families and friends who have
lost loved ones pursuing their
fishing passion. We also praise the
efforts of various agencies, rescuers
and those who risk their lives and
get involved in the aftermath that
results from such tragedies.
The real issue we all need to deal
with is prevention.
The call for mandatory life jackets
for rock fishers and testing their
fishing safety knowledge raises
more questions that need strategies
and answers. Whether it is a
recreational fisher, or a person
walking on a coastal rock platform,
their own instinct and level of
common sense should not allow
them to place their life at risk.
Who will fund, manage and
resource each proposed strategy?
It's not only recreational fishers who
have required rescuing or have lost
their lives on coastal rock platforms.
Life jackets do save lives, the
same as seatbelts have reduced
vehicle fatalities. Education and
awareness campaigns along with
practical experience will also play
their part in reducing any future
fatalities.
Some dedicated volunteer
recreational fishers and the fishing
tackle industry have continued to
pursue the education and
awareness angle for all fishers. The
NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts
continue to support a number of safe
fishing initiatives, which have
produced and support websites
containing valuable tips.
We all need to use all our senses
and ask ourselves and fishing
friends questions, seeking rational
answers that lead to appropriate
solutions, decisions and action.
When you go fishing you need to
cover some basic rules.
This preparation starts well
before you wet a line and continues
after you arrive and all the time you
are fishing up until you return back
home safe and sound.
When you arrive take some time,
look around. Are the rocks wet? Why
are they wet?
Watch the water and waves.
Where is the tide? Where is the
escape route and plan if anyone gets
into trouble? Then while fishing you
should always be assessing your
location.
The nanny state approach of
trying to legislate common sense
may not be the right answer.
In any case the alliance will
continue to engage and build the
knowledge of all recreational
fishers through the use of
multilingual information, DVDs,
media campaigns and workshops
regardless of whether any
government develops and
implements safety laws.
Information portals are
rfansw.coin.au, safefishing.com.au
and dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/
recreational, angelrings.com.au.
Safe fishing to all.