Milestone for rock fishing safety as 50th Angel ring installed

Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly has praised the efforts of Recfishwest and land managers across the State for installing 50 Angel rings at some of the State's most popular and dangerous rock fishing locations.
  • 50 Angel rings have now been installed at high-risk locations across the State

  • There have been 26 rock fishing fatalities in Western Australia since 2002

Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly has praised the efforts of Recfishwest and land managers across the State for installing 50 Angel rings at some of the State's most popular and dangerous rock fishing locations.

Angel rings, also known as life rings, are a buoy designed to be thrown to a person in the water and provide them buoyancy until they can be pulled to safety.

The 50th Angel ring was installed in the Capes region in the State's South-West last month, and follows on from installations in Esperance, Albany, Kalbarri, Steep Point and Dirk Hartog Island.

The installation of the safety devices has been facilitated by Recfishwest as part of a contractual arrangement with the Department of Fisheries to lead the fishing safety program 'Fish and Survive'.

Recfishwest have worked with land managers around WA, including the Department of Parks and Wildlife, local governments and station owners, to install the Angel rings across the State.

For more information about rock fishing safety, visit http://recfishwest.org.au/rock-fishing-safety/

 

Comments attributed to Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly:

 

"The McGowan Labor Government has committed $140,000 per year over the next three years for the 'Fish and Survive' program in a bid to reduce fishing-related drownings and incidents in WA.

"Rock fishing is a very dangerous pastime, with 26 fatalities recorded since 2002, and so it is important safety measures are put in place to mitigate the risks.

"It is also essential for stakeholders and land managers to work together to establish better safety measures, including to raise awareness around the dangers of rock fishing and provide more Angel rings for high-risk areas around the State.

"I'd like to thank all those involved in getting to this important safety milestone for the fishing community in our State."

 

Minister's office - 6552 6100