Rock fishers at high-risk locations on the NSW coast will soon be required to wear life jackets, in a bid to curb a recent spate of deaths.
Some 37 rock fishers have been killed in NSW in the past four years and only one was wearing a life jacket.
NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott says more needs to be done to stop the number of deaths and near-drownings.
The government will introduce legislation requiring rock fishers to don life jackets along rough stretches of the NSW coast.
Extra warning signs and education campaigns targeting culturally and linguistically diverse communities will also be among the new suite of measures.
Those affected will be given one year's grace before the laws are enforced.
"The message to rock fishers continues to be that they should wear a life jacket at all times, wear appropriate clothing and footwear, check conditions including the weather and never fish alone," Mr Elliott said.
"However, it is clear that more needs to be done to get that through because the number of rock fishers dying each year in NSW is not decreasing."
Six rock fishers have been killed in the Randwick area in the past four years, five people in Wyong, four in Lake Macquarie and three in the Great Lakes.
Marine Rescue NSW commissioner Stacey Tannos said people should not pay for their dinner with their lives.
"We have seen a terrible loss of life from people drowning while rock fishing," Ms Tannos said.
"MRNSW always encourages anyone on or near the water to make safety their highest priority, and that means wearing a life jacket."
Share
