Rock fishing safety

Angel rings

Saltwater Trust Allocation:

• 2001-02: $25,300
• 2003-04: $2,630
• 2004-05: $38,500

Aim

Improve angler safety at rock fishing black spots along the NSW coast.

Background

The angel ring project is run by the Australian National Sportfishing Association (NSW Branch) with the support of the Department of Sport and Recreation and NSW Sporting Injuries Insurance.

It involves the installation of angel rings (or life buoys) at known rock fishing black spots. Funds have been allocated towards the expansion of this important fishing safety initiative. This project not only contributes to saving lives but also identifies regional rock fishing black spots and encourages community awareness.

For more information on current locations of angel rings and future proposed sites, head to the Angel Ring Project website.

Rock Fishing Safety Awareness Campaign

Saltwater Trust Allocation:

2005-06: $88,000

Aim

Increase angler awareness about rock fishing safety

Background

The NSW Water Safety Taskforce has undertaken a number of initiatives to improve rock fishing safety including the production and distribution of rock fishing safety education brochures to bait and tackle shops and translated versions to Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese communities. Rock fishing seminars have also been conducted in the Chinese community and radio segments have been produced for Chinese radio.

There is an ongoing need to educate and promote community awareness of rock fishing safety. NSW Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation in collaboration with Angel Ring Project, NSW Fishing Clubs Association and the Recreational Fishing Alliance received funding from the Trust for a Rock Fishing Safety Awareness Campaign.

The program aims to increase understanding of water safety issues that affect particular communities and involves the following initiatives:

• Regular seminars on rock fishing safety and Angel Ring Life Buoy use for Vietnamese and Korean communities
• Provision of resources (educational DVD and brochure ) for individuals, clubs and associations to distribute and disseminate the message of rock fishing safety
• Follow-up community sessions seminars to obtain feedback for further seminars
• Identification of ’blackspots’ that may require the installation of an angel ring, with local anglers and community groups participating and becoming an integral part of the angel ring program.