Despite the warnings, rock fishing is still one of the most dangerous sports, claiming eight lives every year.
Now an expanded program will target communities most at risk by handing out free life jackets that could help more fishers make it home.
Hadi Thahar always wears a life jacket.
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“It could potentially be the thing that determines whether I get back home,” he says.
Now he runs safety workshops to teach other rock fishermen about the risks.
“It is dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing,” he said.
Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said rock fishermwn were predominantly from non-English speaking backgrounds.
“We’re going to deliver these programs in the communities,” he said.
The surf life-saving program has just been given a $300,000 boost from the state government and is set to give away 1200 life jackets.
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Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said once people completes that training they would get access to free life jackets.
“This is something we want to see expanded across New South Wales,” Moriarty said.
Until now, the message hasn’t cut through.
“I don’t think it’s complacency, I think it’s education and awareness,” Pearce said:
A total of 128 people have died since 2004 and 79 per cent of rock fishermen still don’t wear life jackets.
Kurnell and Little Bay in Sydney’s south are two notorious black spots for rock fishing.
Randwick Council has one of the worst track records in the state when it comes to rock fishing, with eight people dying in ten years.
That’s despite efforts to turn the tide, including mandating life jackets.
It’s of nine councils where rock fishermen are fined if they don’t jacket up.
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