ROCK fishers face fines if they fish in the Randwick area while wearing “Iso” fishing jackets instead of an approved lifejacket.
Randwick is the first NSW Council to implement the Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016 (RFSA), which mandates wearing of lifejackets when rock fishing. Other coastal councils are currently in discussions with DPI about implementing the Act in their local areas.
Iso is a form of rock fishing developed in Japan and South Korea. Iso fishing is growing in popularity in NSW.
Specialist Iso jackets are produced for the Asian fishing market by a number of high profile Japanese tackle companies, as well as by Korean and Chinese outfits. The products are imported and sold by a small number of fishing tackle shops in Sydney and are widely available online.
The jackets, some of which retail for more than $400, feature internal foam buoyancy and are often marketed as “floating vests” or “leisure lifejackets”.
Iso jackets currently available in the Australian market examined by DPI do not appear to comply with any Australian or international lifejacket standards.
Anglers who have purchased an Iso style jacket from a tackle shop or online, or who are considering getting one of these products, are advised that if the jacket does not have a certification label, then it is likely that it is NOT compliant under the RFSA.
If you wear a non-compliant Iso jacket when fishing from the rocks in the Randwick Local Government Area, or any other area where the RFSA applies, you risk being fined.
In order to be compliant under the RFSA, you MUST wear a lifejacket or other flotation product clearly marked as being certified under AS4758 or another relevant standard.
This certification is usually prominently marked on the inside of the jacket and provides users with confidence that the product is designed to help save lives. Click HERE for full details on lifejackets suitable for rock fishing.
Wearing a lifejacket or flotation device is only one aspect of being a safe and responsible rock fisher. DPI encourages all rock fishers to always follow these basic safety protocols:
- Always wear a life jacket
- Stay alert to the weather conditions
- Plan an escape route in case you are washed in
- Never turn your back on the ocean
- Wear appropriate non-slip footwear and light clothing
- Do not jump in if someone is washed into the water – call 000 or go and get help
- Never fish alone
Make sure you check out laws about wearing lifejackets when rock fishing in NSW. Click HERE for more info.
Remember, always fish safe off the rocks. If in doubt, don’t go out!
For more information on rock fishing laws in NSW, click HERE.
