More 'Angel Rings' to help save lives

A program helping to reduce deaths associated with one of the State's most dangerous pastimes will be expanded over the next five years.

The NSW Government has announced extra funding to increase the number of 'angel rings' off the coast from 61 to more than 100 by 2009.

Angel rings, or life buoys, have helped save the lives of many rock fishers, who have been washed into the ocean while fishing at known black spots.

Almost $5,000 additional funding has been allocated from the Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust to the NSW branch of the Australian National Sportsfishing Association (ANSA) to boost the Angel Ring program.

The Saltwater Trust has previously allocated $29,000 towards the program.

The Angel Ring program is run by ANSA, with the support of the Department of Sport and Recreation and NSW Sporting Injuries Insurance.

To-date, ANSA have installed 61 of these rings at known fishing black spots along the coast from Forster to Bermagui.

Rock fishing has the highest fatality rate of any sport in NSW. Between 1993 and 2000 there were more than 74 fatalities.

This is another example of anglers' licence funds being used for projects to improve recreational fishing.

All money raised by the NSW recreational fishing licence is placed into saltwater and freshwater trusts, which are overseen by anglers."

As an adjunct to the Angel Ring project, ANSA was embarking on a public education program, in association with NSW Fisheries, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Sport and Recreation.

The aim of the program is to boost public awareness of the location and purpose of angel rings.

40,000 brochures and signage about angel rings will target ethnic communities, such as the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. Half of the people involved in rock fishing fatalities were from Asian backgrounds.

Anglers should follow a safety checklist that includes:
Never fish by yourself - fish in a group of at least three people and within sight of each other.
Always let friends/family know where you are going and when you will be back.
Wear light clothing and suitable non-slip footwear.
Carry safety gear (eg. life jackets, buoyancy vests, ropes and torches).
Never fish in exposed areas during rough or large seas. Always check local weather, swell and tidal conditions before going fishing.
Spend some time watching your intended spot before fishing to get an idea of the conditions over a full swell or wave cycle.
Plan an escape route in case you are washed in.
Always stay alert - never turn your back on the sea.
Ask for advice from locals who know the area.