Recreational Fishing Safety

I hope you all enjoyed last month's guest column from Recfishwest Board Member Terry Fuller about fishing from jetties from the ocean. We sure do face some significant challenges to ensure they are maintained into the future! Terry kindly penned this column for me while I was away on leave getting married and travelling around the world on my honeymoon.

This month's column won't be about some of the different fishing opportunities from around the world because I didn't fish at all for my 5 weeks travelling or send any postcards (my fellow staff members didn't let me forget that). Shameful, I know. In total I only managed 15 minutes in a fishing tackle shop in Osaka for the whole trip. They sure have some interesting tackle technology, but I will leave those subjects for the tackle gurus.

I won't bore you with a diary entry from my honeymoon, but instead with school holidays now well and truly upon us and summer in full swing I thought it would be timely to remind everyone of the dangers we face when we go recreational fishing. Many of us will be heading away to our favourite fishing spot as we take our annual leave with one thing on our mind....catching that fish of a lifetime. What we must remember is that a "fish of lifetime" is not worth your own life. Sometimes we can think we are bullet proof.

I realise more than ever how important it is to make sure I return home safely after a days fishing. Who else is going to pay off the wedding and honeymoon if I was gone?

Recreational fishing fatalities.

The fact is recreational fishing has a pretty bad track record for fatalities. As a recreational activity, it is statistically more dangerous than skydiving, rock climbing and drag racing.

I recently received the 2006 Western Australia Drowning Report produced by Royal Life Saving Society Australia with whom we have worked closely in the past. I was saddened to see the number of unnecessary lives lost whilst fishing. The report highlights that of all the recreational activities around water, fishing is one of the highest risk activities, accounting for 17.9% of total drowning deaths in 2006. That equates to five fishing related drowning deaths in 2006. Looking at past years reports the results for 2006 weren't anything out of the ordinary. In 2005 there were 10 fishing related drowning deaths and another 3 in 2004.

These are purely recreational fishing incidents and do not include boating related drowning deaths, which also accounted for a further 17.9% of total drowning deaths in 2006.

Recreational fishers need to be aware that the Western Australian coastline and boating conditions can change rapidly and can be extremely dangerous especially to the inexperienced. Responsible planning and assessment of conditions is vital for the safety of all fishers.

Rock and abalone fishing.

Particularly dangerous fishing pursuits include coastal rock fishing and abalone fishing where the dangers of swell and slippery rocks can be a recipe for tragedy if not treated with respect. However, the risks of fishing are not confined to these forms of fishing, with all recreational fishing pursuits carrying an inherent risk. In past years lives have been lost wading for crabs, pulling rock lobster pots, spearfishing and fishing from boats.

Drowning deaths as a result of inexperienced boat users getting into trouble has been a real problem in recent years. The State Government has reacted with the recreational skippers ticket to make sure all power boat users are properly trained before heading out on the seas. By April 2008 all skippers of power boats must have this qualification.

There are a number of people and organisations that are trying there hardest to make sure the message of safe fishing is getting out there. The Nathan Drew Memorial Trust for Coastal Safety was formed in response to the tragic death of a 15 year old Albany boy in 2003 at Salmon Holes. The program addresses the issue of coastal safety in WA through region specific research and interventions and is doing some phenomenal work.

Along the south west coast, a series of fishing safety anchor points have been installed by local fishermen Ray Walker and Neil Taylor in collaboration with Department of Environment and Conservation. I am personally of the view that if you require yourself to be tied off you probably should not be fishing in such a dangerous place. There will always be people that take risks and these anchor points should help eliminate the danger for these people. As a result of this proactive work by local community members, experienced recreational fishers along the south coast are able to tie themselves off at popular fishing locations and prevent themselves from being washed into the water in the unfortunate event of a freak wave or a moments inattention such as when landing a fish.

Last year Recfishwest released a fishing safety brochure, which has been distributed through its fishing clinic program, tackle stores and is also available on its website at Fishing and Boating Safety Tips. I recommend all people have a read of this to refresh their memory on fishing safety.

Boat fishing.

The issue of compulsory wearing of Personal Floatation Devices (PFD's) surfaced in the media early in 2007 following another unfortunate boating related drowning incident. In Victoria PFD's are required to be worn at all times on boats. Although it sounds a little cumbersome to be wearing a PFD whilst fishing the technology has really advanced in recent years and with inflating horse collar style vests, you would hardly know you are wearing one. This simple addition to your fishing attire could save your life some day. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has said the compulsory wearing of PFD's will not be introduced in Western Australia, however, I think it is makes good sense to be wearing a PFD in small open boats when out in the ocean, especially if there are children or poor swimmers on board. Remember that you, the skipper must take the responsibility for the safety of your 'crew'.

Sometimes in the excitement of going fishing some fundamental safety concerns can easily be overlooked to the detriment of your self and your fishing buddies.

Fishing is a fun activity for family and friends and school holidays can be a very busy time of year for boat and shore based recreational fishers. Western Australia has some of the best fishing in the world, but people must remember that no fish is worth your life.

I urge people to respect prevailing weather conditions before making the decision to go fishing and if the forecast or prevailing conditions raise any doubt, it is simply not worth the risk. I like to use www.seabreeze.com to check the wind and wave conditions before heading out. There is nothing more frustrating than having the days you plan and kept free to go fishing be ruined by poor fishing conditions, however, the sea gods must be respected!!

I hope everyone has a safe and successful fishing year and let's hope that 2008 can be a fatality free year for recreational fishing.

Here is list of tips Recfishwest has compiled for fishing safety. See also Fishing and Boating Safety Tips

Some tips for fishing from rocks

• No fish is worth your life

• Before fishing check weather forecasts and tide charts.

• Observe the prevailing conditions for at least 15 minutes before fishing

• The tide can change conditions dramatically, so continually reassess the prevailing conditions

• Many dangerous spots are signposted, many are not, so be cautious

• Avoid wet/slippery or steep surfaces - black rocks

• Wear shorts and clothes that allow you to swim should you be washed into the water. Heavy wet weather gear or waders, can hamper your swimming ability

• If you get washed in while rock fishing, don't try to swim directly back. Swim clear of the rocks first then assess the safest path to shore

• Don't try to retrieve tackle especially in steep rocky areas

• Wear suitable shoes like rock hopper boots. Thongs, smooth or cleated soles are dangerous in rocky areas

• Keep a flotation device close by if rock fishing and wear one in areas where swells are large

• Don't fish alone, always fish with someone

• If someone is washed into the water, don't jump in to save them. A bucket with a rope or your fishing line can be used as rescue devices or call emergency services

• Always tell someone where you are going and when you will come back

• Beware of freak waves and large swells

• Never turn your back on the ocean

When fishing from a boat always remember:

• Ensure your boat is sea worthy and service the motor regularly

• Seek local information if fishing in unfamiliar waters

• Ensure you have adequate fresh fuel

• Carry tools and spare parts

• Keep bilges clean, ensure no build-up of fuel/fumes

• Ensure all crew are briefed in the use of safety equipment and make sure it is in working order and easily accessible

• Children & poor swimmers should wear life jackets at all times

• Tell someone where you are going and your estimated time of return. Also let the same person know that you have returned

• Never fish alone

• Don't fish in white-water wash zone around rocks and reefs

• Regularly check weather reports

• If the weather looks threatening - head for home

Recfishwest News

At the November Board meeting, Recfishwest elected a new Chairman in Craig Leatt-Hayter. Craig will take over from Des Wood who has decided to stand down from the position after four years of admirable service in the position. Recfishwest also wishes well outgoing board members Keith Tocas, Craig Bibra and Peter Blyth. The organisation has welcomed newly elected Board members Mark Morris, Jamie Chester and Steven Gill. Good luck for the many challenges we face in 2008.

Craig's first duty as Chairman was attending the 2007 Community Services Industry Awards where Recfishwest's Regional Fishing Clinic Program was a finalist in the Category: Strengthening rural and remote communities. Although we didn't take home the award, it was fantastic that this program has been recognised for all the great work it has done.

Also as I write this article the membership for Recfishwest is at 960 and should hopefully be well past the target of 1000 members by January. Thank you to all those readers that have jumped on board Recfishwest during our membership drive. If you haven't joined yet or have been planning to do so, we still need all the support we can get. Just simply fill out the membership form and send it into Recfishwest.

Kane Moyle

Policy Officer

(For an update on the membership numbers since this column was written, see Recfishwest media statement:- Recreational Fishers put their support behind Recfishwest )



This page last updated on 22 March 2008.