Central Coast council will opt-in to laws to make life jackets mandatory for those rock fishing on certain parts of the area’s coastline.
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The council declared it would enter into the Rock Fishing Safety Act in a bid to prevent further loss of life on the area’s coastline.
Under the Act, all rock platforms exposed to ocean swell on the Central Coast will be considered ‘high risk rock fishing locations’ as a result of the council deciding to opt in.
Mayor Jane Smith said Council supported the use of life jackets to ensure the safety of the community.
“We support the mandatory use of life jackets at all rock fishing platforms across the Central Coast,” Mayor Smith said.
“We want to ensure that our community are made aware of the dangers of rock fishing and how to keep safe.
“The use of life jackets at locations deemed high risk will be enforced.”
The council will determine the most at risk locations, place signage at these locations, conduct information sessions and undertake additional monitoring as required. The Lakes Mail reported in April that coastal councils that adopted the rules would also receive up to $30,000 to spend on education programs for anglers, and signage at fishing locations and that rock fishers caught flouting the law could receive $100 on-the-spot fines. The legislation follows the government’s analysis of data from a 12-month trial at Sydney's Randwick City Council beaches, which ended last November.
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