Rock fishing is very popular in Australia, it’s exciting and challenging. Unfortunately, rock fishing is probably the most dangerous type of angling. Figures tell us that people from Asian backgrounds – Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese - made up almost half of the rock fishing fatality statistics over the past few years.
How can we forget five Hong Kong Chinese migrants lost their lives while rock fishing at Catherine Hill Bay in Newcastle on Mother’s Day this year? It is believed to be the worst rock fishing tragedy in Australian history.
A week before this dreadful accident, a Korean man died fishing rocks nearby. And on May 15, a 29-year-old student from Mainland China was believed to have lost his life while rock fishing alone off North Bondi in Sydney. And about two weeks later, another 41-year-old man was swept into the water off the coast of Kiama in NSW while rock fishing with two friends. (Read the news article here)
This makes May 2010 the worst month in NSW in rock fishing history - EIGHT rock fishing fatalities in a single month!
And nationwide, for the year ended 30 June 2009, there were 13 rock fishing fatalities – it was already higher than Australia’s average 11 per year. But then for the next 12 months, more than 20 lives were again lost in rock fishing.
As multicultural workers working for Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW (RFA),we set up this blog to campaign for rock fishing safety. We want to raise the awareness of anglers, especially those of Asian descent and non-English speaking background, about the dangers of rock fishing and actions needed to reduce the risk. The fishing and safety tips are from RFA. We will see you soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment