Death sparks warning to Australian Rock fishermen - California Fishing

PlatinumHooks · 01-08-2006, 06:01 PM

Death sparks warning to Australian Rock fishermen

New South Wales, Australia - Monday, January 9, 2006. 8:44am. The NSW Government is urging rock fishermen to be careful after the death of 30-year-old man at Coffs Harbour on Thursday.

The Government says most fishing accidents are preventable by taking a few simple steps.

Fishermen are being told not to fish when seas are rough, to fish in groups and to ensure they have proper safety equipment.

The Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, says in the past 10 years about 70 people have died while rock fishing.

"Rock fishing has been one of the most popular fishing sports in Australia, but we have had a lot of deaths over the past decade or so," he said.

"I think the figures were in the order of 70. This is far too high and we need to have fishers who practise this very popular sport [to] just follow those basic safety tips to ensure that we reduce the level of these tragic accidents."

BeachBear · 01-09-2006, 09:03 PM

How exactly are they dying?

PlatinumHooks · 01-09-2006, 10:07 PM

I think they're going out in really bad Seas and not being careful; falling over and drowning, I assume.

WreckinBall · 01-09-2006, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony"PltnmHooks"Z.

I think they're going out in really bad Seas and not being careful; falling over and drowning, I assume.

Nah. They're getting washed off the rocks by big surf and getting bashed and drowned in the rough water. It's been happening for a long time.
It still happens occasionally at Palos Verdes.

umoa · 01-09-2006, 11:19 PM

thats not too much. 7 deaths a year? 2 words COMMON SENSE!

Wahoo! · 01-10-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umoa

thats not too much. 7 deaths a year? 2 words COMMON SENSE!

Sometimes you can't tell. It just takes 1 big set and you're in trouble.

PlatinumHooks · 01-10-2006, 10:02 AM

See, I don't even really pay 100% attention to the news I post....duh. When it said "Rock Fishermen", I thought it meant they were out Rock fishing for Rock fish, not thinking that they probably dont even call that species by the same common name.

umoa · 01-10-2006, 11:51 AM

dont go rockfishing alone unless you can read the waves. it also helps to wear a life vest. you need shoes with good traction, metal studs on the bottom help alot.

PlatinumHooks · 01-10-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umoa

dont go rockfishing alone unless you can read the waves. it also helps to wear a life vest. you need shoes with good traction, metal studs on the bottom help alot.

'Moa,

You're absolutely correct. People don't take enough safety percautions when they go fishing. A life vest in stormy waters on the rocks should be protocol!

The only thing I will say is that metal studs (cleated fishing shoes) are made for streams and rivers; more so for streams and rivers with gravely river beds. You should never wear cleated fishing shoes on the rocks or jetty's near the ocean; you will slip right in, and quick!

umoa · 01-10-2006, 02:25 PM

you'd be surprised tony

they are part of many iso anglers necessity list. they are not the fly fishing kind.

PlatinumHooks · 01-10-2006, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umoa

you'd be surprised tony

they are part of many iso anglers necessity list. they are not the fly fishing kind.

I understand that. But they don't make metal cleated fishing shoes for fishing on the ocean rocks/jetty's.

I've seen ultra soft rubber cleated shoes for ultra slippery rock surfaces, or even more popular are "Felt" bottom shoes and boots, but metal cleated fishing shoes are made for "gravel/pebble laddened" stream and river beds. If I saw an angler wearing metal cleated fishing shoes on a Jetty, i would hand him a gun and say, "Here, use this. Put it to your head, it's quicker".

You can use 'em if you want, but I would recommend not to. Just looking out for you