IN FEBRUARY 2022, the State Government introduced a two-year trial making lifejackets mandatory at 10 of the Victoria’s most treacherous rock-fishing locations.
Three of the 10 are in Bass Coast; at Pyramid Rocks (Phillip Island), San Remo (southern end of Potters Hill Road) and the notorious Punchbowl Rocks (near San Remo).
The trial has already been spectacularly successful, most recently on Monday, November 13.
According to two of the first responders, CFA District 8 Catchment Commander Phil Rogan and Phillip Island First Lieutenant Rhyce Davis, someone was fishing at Punchbowl Rocks when he was swamped by a wave while retrieving a fish, fell in and got swept out.
“Fortunately, he was wearing a PFD (personal flotation device) and no doubt that saved his life,” said Commander Rogan.
“On the day, the weather wasn’t that bad, and the waves weren’t all that big, so it just shows you what can happen,” said Lt Davis.
“We understand he was in the water for quite some hours. The current brought him back in towards the rock shelf, but he was unable to get back up again,” said Commander Rogan.
He was quick to praise the police airwing for their efforts.
“We were just there in a supporting role. The police helicopter winched him out. He was exhausted but alive.
“Look, they don’t want anyone fishing down there (at Punchbowl Rocks), it’s just too dangerous but the message is, if you are going rock fishing, wear a PDF.”
Attending the scene on the day were SES, ambulance, police, Parks Victoria, CFA, and the police airwing.
Parks Victoria staff have contacted the Sentinel-Times about the incident in the hope of highlighting the safety message, about wearing an approved lifejacket ahead of the busy summer holiday season.
Fortunately, it seems, many if not all those rock fishing at Punchbowl Rocks, and also at San Remo and Pyramid Rock have got the message and are wearing their PDFs.
Why anyone would want to run the risk of scaling the goat-track to the Punchbowl Rocks, only to put their life in peril, is anyone’s guess. You’d certainly hope the
fishing is good!
MP seeks mandatory PFDs
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale was contacted for comment about the intentions of the government for making the lifejacket trial provisions mandatory, or at least extending the trial beyond its two-year period, potentially concluding in February 2024.
“I have and will certainly continue to make representations to the relevant minister that lifejacket wearing become law for rock fishing,” said Jordan Crugnale this week.
“Our coastline is unpredictable in terms of its swells, winds and rips and we have lost too many lives over the years which is why we introduced the trial in the first place. It saves lives.
“This is an opportune time to also remind locals and visitors alike to be very sensible in and around our waters and no matter where you are rock fishing, to wear a life jacket as we do when boating, windsurfing, paddleboarding or on other vessels,” she said.
“We are in the top dangerous locations in the state and most recently someone fortunately lives to tell the tale as they were wearing a life jacket when they were swept in.”
On 1 March 2022, the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) began a two-year trial of mandating the use of lifejackets for fishers at 10 high-risk locations around Victoria.
The two-year trial on lifejackets was introduced following consultation by the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) with members of the public, angling clubs, FutureFish and VRFish.
s part of the trial the VFA developed educational material in several languages to ensure fishers were aware of the new rules and which lifejackets complied with Australian Standard (AS 4758).
The trial will conclude on February 29, 2024, at which point data from the trial will be reviewed and the future of the rules will be considered.
“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,” a government spokesperson said at the time.
“Already proven to save lives during emergencies, the trial aims to reduce the chance of drowning with a properly fitted and well-maintained lifejacket, should a rock fisher end up in the water.”
And that’s how it has turned out with several reports of lives saved, and likely to have been numerous others.
It is noticeable that rock fishermen, walking to these beaches with their gear, already have their PFDs on.
The 10 most dangerous rock fishing spots, where mandatory lifejackets has been enforced are at Cape Bridgewater (near the blowholes car park), Artillery Rocks (west of Lorne), Sheoak Falls (south of Lorne), Sorrento Back Beach rocks, Rye back beach number 16, Cape Schanck lighthouse rocks, Bushrangers Bay rocks (east of Cape Schanck), Pyramid Rocks (Phillip Island), San Remo (southern end of Potters Hill Road) and Punchbowl Rocks (near San Remo).
Lifejackets 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.
Although, why children are not banned from attending these high-risk sites is unfathomable.
For more information on the 10 locations and how you can stay safe when rock fishing anywhere in Victoria, head to www.vfa.vic.gov.au/rockfishin
