Life Jacket Law Considered for Kiama and Shellharbour After Rock Fishing Deaths
Life jackets may become compulsory for rock fishers in the Shellharbour and Kiama local government areas following a tragic series of drownings along the coastline. Councils are now actively considering whether to opt into existing New South Wales legislation that would declare these regions high-risk zones for recreational fishing.
A Decade of Tragic Incidents
Over the past ten years, ten anglers have been swept to their deaths while fishing from rocks in the Illawarra region, with nine of these fatalities occurring within the Kiama area. The most recent incident happened on January 25, when two fishermen were washed off a rock platform at Gerroa, near Black Head Reserve. One man's body was discovered on rocks the following day, with the second found two days later. Neither individual was wearing a life jacket at the time of the tragedy.
This double drowning followed another heartbreaking incident in August 2024, when Nelson Chan, 47, and his teenage son Joshua, 17, were washed off rocks while fishing at Storm Bay. Their bodies were never recovered, adding to the growing list of fatalities that have prompted urgent safety reviews.
Council Considers Opting Into Safety Legislation
Kiama Council is currently evaluating whether to declare the local government area a high-risk zone under the NSW Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016. This legislation operates on an opt-in model for coastal councils across the state, with Wollongong Council being the only Illawarra municipality to have already adopted these measures.
Kiama councillor Imogen Draisma has been campaigning for the area to be declared high-risk since 2022. "We're not seeing a decrease in the trend of incidents along the coastline," Cr Draisma stated. "Our coastline is particularly dangerous and challenging, even for those who are highly skilled and long-term recreational fishers. We've seen some of those people be involved in being washed off the rocks."
Cr Draisma emphasized that declaring the area high-risk has proven successful in other locations at encouraging life jacket use. "It is a deterrent for high risk behaviour associated with recreational fishing," she explained.
Community Consultation and Expert Input
A comprehensive community consultation process examining local rock fishing practices and safety issues concluded in Kiama on February 1. The consultation gathered input from a wide range of stakeholders including:
- The general public
- Police and emergency services
- Surf lifesavers and lifeguards
- Marine Rescue NSW personnel
- Crown Lands representatives
- Local fishing clubs
- Politicians and government officials
- Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation members
- NSW DPI Fisheries experts
Surf Life Saving South Coast Branch duty officer Shane Wicks expressed strong support for declaring the area a high-risk zone. "We'd much rather pick up someone in a lifejacket who can tell us what happened," he stated plainly, highlighting the practical benefits of mandatory safety equipment.
A Kiama Council spokeswoman noted that feedback from the consultation will be reported to councillors and will inform any decision about opting into the legislation. "Rock fishing incidents can have wider impacts that extend beyond the individuals involved, affecting first responders and witnesses as well," she said. "This approach helps ensure safety, community wellbeing and local experience are considered from multiple perspectives."
Shellharbour Reconsiders Previous Position
Shellharbour Council, which had previously decided against opting into the legislation, is now reconsidering its position following the recent fatalities. A council spokeswoman confirmed that "due to the recent fatalities in the Illawarra, council is considering seeking community feedback on whether Shellharbour should be declared high-risk."
The council continues to encourage safe practices among rock fishers, including the use of life jackets, while evaluating whether stronger measures are needed.
Enforcement and Broader Advocacy
If both councils decide to opt into the legislation and declare rock platforms high-risk zones, life jacket requirements and any associated fines would be enforced by relevant authorities including NSW Police, rather than by council officers directly.
In a broader move, Kiama Council decided in September last year to advocate to the NSW Government that the rock fishing safety legislation should be applied to all coastal councils across the state. "This includes calling for NSW Government funding of required signage to ensure costs are not passed on to local ratepayers," the council spokeswoman explained.
The consideration of mandatory life jacket laws represents a significant step toward improving safety for recreational fishers in these popular but dangerous coastal areas, with councils balancing community input, expert advice, and the urgent need to prevent further tragedies.
