WHILE the temptation of a prized catch can lure keen anglers of all levels, the dangers of rock fishing should always be taken seriously.
And this is the strong message that Jasmina Pedić has for anyone visiting the notorious ‘Punchbowl Rocks’ at San Remo.
Jasmina tragically lost her father when he drowned in a rock fishing accident at Punchbowl during 2006.
In 2013, she undertook the "Run to Save a Life’ raising over $6000 to commemorate the 7th anniversary of her father’s passing.
Since then, she has been dedicated to raising awareness and while work and other commitments have hampered this in recent years, she is keen to get the messaging out again.
“I felt like after I started initially (raising awareness) the mortality rate significantly reduced but since working Ambulance Victoria, I didn’t have time to continue and I felt like its reversed unfortunately,” she told the Sentinel-Times.
It was because of her own experiences that she decided to become a paramedic and is now based at Dandenong.
She hopes to begin discussions again with Life Saving Victoria to increase public awareness.
However, she has the following advice for anyone who does want to take the risk.
“Definitely take safety gear, if they’re looking at rock fishing, always check the time when the water is coming in and just really understand where they’re going and that section of the ocean,” she said.
“It can change within seconds and the amount of how much it can rise to come above the rocks can change really quickly.
“Always have a lifejacket on you and always go with someone.”
During early 2022, the State Government implemented a two-year trial for lifejackets to become a requirement for recreational rock fishing at high-risk locations.
Some of the most dangerous locations included Pyramid Rocks (Phillip Island), San Remo (southern end of Potters Hill Road) and Punchbowl Rocks (near San Remo).
For more information, including maps outlining the 10 high-risk locations and details of compliant lifejackets, visit vfa.vic.gov.au/rockfishing.