Victorian rock fishers are to be required to wear lifejackets when at the State’s most dangerous fishing spots from next month as part of a Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) trial.
Announced by Minister for Fishing and Boating, Melissa Horne, the trial aims to reduce the chance of drowning if a rock fisher ended up in the water.
“An increasingly popular form of fishing, rock fishing has also proven to be dangerous following the tragic deaths of several rock fishers swept off rock shelves and reefs in recent years,” Ms Horne said.
“Life jackets save lives and, for rock fishers, they can drastically reduce the risk of drowning should the worst happen,” she said.
Ms Horne said the requirement would be enforced from 1 March at 10 locations across the State, following consultation by the VFA with members of the public, angling clubs, FutureFish and VRFish.
She said the lifejacket requirement would be enforced at Cape Bridgewater; Artillery Rocks; Sheoak Falls; Sorrento Back Beach rocks; Rye back beach number 16; Cape Schanck lighthouse rocks; Bushrangers Bay rocks; Pyramid Rocks; San Remo; and Punchbowl Rocks.
The Minister said lifejackets would need to comply with Australian Standards and be a Type 3 or greater for adults.
“Children under 12 must wear a lifejacket at the 10 sites, even if they are not fishing, and they must be a Type 1 or greater model,” she said.
Ms Horne said the two-year trial would also see the VFA work with key recreational fishing groups and partner Agencies on an improved safety and education program.
