Kiama Council will opt in to provisions of the Rock Fishing Safety Act following a series of coastal fatalities.
If approved by the Minister, signage will be placed at seven high risk locations where it will be mandatory for anyone engaged in rock fishing to wear a lifejacket.
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said it was important to introduce stronger safety measures as too many lives have been lost.
“Rock fishing is a dangerous pastime and we strongly advise anyone who does so to wear a lifejacket,” Councillor McDonald said.
“More than 78 per cent of community members who voted in an online poll on Kiama Council’s website were in favour of lifejackets being made compulsory for rock fishing.
“We don’t want to see any more tragedies so we will continue to work with the State Government and Surf Life Saving NSW to improve rock fishing safety.
The seven local areas identified as high-risk rock fishing locations are Minnamurra Headland, Cathedral Rocks at Bombo, Blowhole Point, Marsden Head, the Kiama Coastal Walking Track, Gerringong Headland and Black Head.
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said “I want to congratulate Kiama Council on the move to mandate lifejackets at what are some of the highest-risk locations for rockfishing in NSW.”
Council opting in to the Rock Fishing Safety Act comes on the back of Surf Life Saving NSW trialling the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) camera technology at the Kiama Blowhole in a bid to reduce rock fishing drowning deaths.
The SAIL Project – (Surveillance AI for Lifesaving), is a 14-month trial which started in October and uses AI and camera-based platforms to identify incidents at unpatrolled and high-risk locations, enhancing the ability to prevent tragedies and save lives.
Cameras mounted on a post capture continuous video feeds and when AI identifies an emergency event, the SLSNSW State Operations Centre is alerted.
A rock fisherman was rescued from heavy seas at the Kiama Blowhole on January 12 – he was able to stay afloat with the help of his lifejacket until the TOLL Ambulance Rescue Helicopter crew winched him to safety.
“What the AI camera trial at Kiama Blowhole on the South Coast and Little Bay in Sydney has shown us is that by harnessing new and emerging technologies, Surf Life Saving is able to respond quicker to unfolding rock fishing emergencies,” said Steve Pearce.
“While still very much in a trial phase, we have seen multiple rescues as a result of the AI technology picking up a rock fisher washed into the ocean.
“We have also noted the importance of lifejackets in these successful rescues in January. Wearing lifejackets was a key factor in emergency services being able to rescue them.
“Rock fishing related drownings are the second-highest cause of all coastal drownings. I can’t stress enough the importance of doing your research prior to visiting a rock platform and ensure you are wearing a life jacket.
“Surf conditions can change in an instant and the decisions you make before stepping onto that rock platform could save your life.”
Kiama Blowhole is one of two sites in NSW chosen for the AI trial, along with Little Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.