Victoria launches compulsory life jacket trial for rock fishers
Two-year trial to see if making rock fishers wear life jackets at known danger spots will prevent more deathsVictoria will trial compulsory wearing of life jackets at nine popular rockfishing spots after identifying them as the most dangerous spots for the hobby in the state.
The two-year-long trial is specifically targeting sites where fishers have either died or had close calls after they were swept into the water. In all, 20 rock fishers have died since 2000.
The trial will be used to gather feedback on a proposal that life jacket use becomes a permanent fixture at the locations. It will coincide with an education program aimed at ensuring rock fishers were aware of the trial.
Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive Travis Dowling said evidence showed that rock fishers were more likely to survive being swept off rocks and into the sea if they were wearing a life jacket.
“Mandating the wearing of life jackets may be necessary to keep more people safe and avoid the preventable loss of life,” Dowling said.
“The proposal is to require fishers wear a lifejacket when fishing at nine dangerous locations, which have been selected based on previous rock fishing-related deaths and near-fatal incidents.”
Locations include:
- Punchbowl Rocks (near San Remo)
- Cape Schanck Lighthouse rocks
- Rocks at the southern end of Potters Hill Road (San Remo)
- Rock platform near the blowholes car park at Cape Bridgewater
- Dragon’s Head at Rye back beach
- Bush Rangers Bay rocks, east of Cape Schanck
- Sorrento back beach rocks
- Artillery Rocks, west of Lorne
- Rock platform opposite Sheoak Falls, south of Lorne
The VFA has not ruled out adding more rock fishing sites to the trial.
Under the proposal, anyone entering a defined rock fishing zone will need to be wearing a Type 1 personal flotation device, or lifejacket, similar to what boaters are required to wear if their boat is 4.8 metres long or less, or if a bigger boat is experiencing heightened risk such as travelling at night or crossing a coastal bar.
“Type 1 lifejackets are relatively cost-effective (under $100 each), provide a high level of buoyancy and keep the wearer in a safe floating position at all times,” a discussion paper outlining the trial said.
“AS4758-approved lifejackets are also made in high visibility colours with reflective patches which helps ensure the wearer can be seen in the water.”
The paper says anyone on the rock platform who was not fishing would also be encouraged to wear a life jacket, although under the terms of the trial they could not be forced to wear one.
The life jacket mandate also does not apply to divers and spearfishers.
VRFish, the state’s recreational fishing lobby, has advocated for life jacket use by rock fishers.
Several other Australian states have trialled compulsory life jacket use at known rock fishing hotspots.
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