Most dangerous sport in Australia, rock fishing, kills 158 in 13 years

THE most dangerous sport in Australia has claimed more than 150 lives and is not what you’d expect: it has zero to do with fast cars, skydiving or smashing your head on a sports field.

THE most dangerous sport in Australia has claimed more than 150 lives and is not what you’d expect.

It has nothing to do with fast cars, jumping out of a plane or the relentless smashing of one’s head on a sports field.

What appears to be the humble sport of rock fishing, has been outed as the most dangerous sport in the country by our nation’s surf life saving association.

Fishing at sunset may look idyllic but it can be incredibly dangerous. Picture: iStock

Fisherman Osamu Matsuda wears a life jacket when seas are rough at Little Bay in NSW.

Shocking statistics reveal in the past 13 years 158 people have died while rock fishing, with eleven of those deaths in Victoria.

The latest death in the state was near Blairgowrie on October 29 last year.

The figures come days after two men drowned over the Easter holiday while rock fishing at Albany in Western Australia, and Wollongong in New South Wales.

“Some fisherman may have taken risks before and gotten away with it and start to think they don’t need to take safety precautions like wearing a life jacket,” Surf Life Saving Australia’s national coastal safety manager Shane Daw said.

Is A Fish Really Worth It ? Big seas, driving rain and no life jacket is a recipe for rock fishing disaster at Newcastle's dangerous Bogey Hole. Picture: Peter Lorimer

He said in the vast majority of drownings people weren’t wearing a life jacket, many didn’t check conditions or weren’t familiar with the area.

“It’s simple, life jackets save lives and we really want to drive that home for these fisherman,” Mr Daw said.

A man fishes from the top of a cliff in Maroubra. Photo: Simon Chillingworth

The average rock fisherman who drowns in Victoria is a male, aged between 25 to 44 and is typically of Asian background, the data shows.

The most common location for people to die while rock fishing is on the Bass Coast which includes beach hot spots like Inverloch and Philip Island.

FISHERMAN DRAGGED INTO WATER BY SHARK

Victor Fan was lucky not to become another statistic when washed off rocks at Pyramid Rock in 2012, and says people don’t realise the risks.

“I urge people to learn from my mistake and ensure they prepare for changing conditions and always wear a lifejacket. No fish is worth risking your life,” Mr Fan said after two men drowned in 2006.

Surf Life Saving Australia urged fisherman to wear a lifejacket, fish with a friend, check the conditions, carry safety gear including ropes and a mobile phone.

[e-mail]