West Coast rock fisherman survey shows interesting results

A survey completed over the 2005/2006 summer at four of Auckland’s West Coast  beaches shows interesting information for planning and safety organisations. 

The survey was part of a rock fishing project undertaken over this time by Auckland Regional Council (ARC), Surf Life Saving Northern Region (SLSNR) and WaterSafe Auckland Inc (WAI). The project saw Rock Fishing Advisers working at four high-risk West Coast beaches - Piha, Muriwai, Bethells Beach and Whatipu - to promote the use of life jackets, compile information on safety beliefs and behaviours and provide information to rock fishers regarding the dangers of fishing at West Coast beaches.

Dr Kevin Moran from the University of Auckland has completed a report with some of his key findings shown below:

• Almost half (49%) of those included in the study were Asian peoples whereas proportionally less European (n = 83; 33%) and Maori (n = 16; 10%) New Zealanders were included. Almost one half (n = 105; 42%) of those surveyed had lived in New Zealand for less than four years.
• Most rock fishers partake in at-risk behaviours, nearly three quarters (72%) of rock fishers never wore a lifejacket and almost one half had gone to the water’s edge to retrieve a snagged line (48%).
• One half (n = 127; 51%) of the fishers agreed that their local knowledge of the site at which they were fishing meant that they were unlikely to get into difficulty. It would appear unlikely that this is the case however, since it was the first visit to the site for one third (n = 91; 36%) of fishers and more than two thirds (n =173; 69%) had only visited the site a maximum of five times.

The extensive results of the survey give recommendations and direction to further water safety campaigns to improve safety for rock fishers.

Water Safety and Auckland's West Coast Rock Fishers - Phase 2

The ARC, SLSNR and WAI jointly conducted a follow-up project that built on the pilot rock fishing safety campaign, West Coast Rock Fishing Safety, initiated in 2006, to address mounting concerns over the increasing number of fishing fatalities on Auckland's west coast.

The purposes of this second phase of the project were threefold:

1. To continue the on-site rock fishing safety education promotion initiated in 2006;
2. To determine the effect of the project on Auckland's west coast fishers' safety practices and beliefs; and
3. To make recommendations for future rock fishing safety promotion based on the information obtained.

Download the Follow Up Report 2007 from the Resources panel (right).

Auckland's West Coast Rock Fishers - Phase 3 'Final Report 2008'

The purposes of the third phase of this 3-year project were to:

1. Continue the on-site rock fishing safe education programme
2. Determine the effect of the project on Auckland's west coast fishers
3. Make recommendations for future rock fishing safety promotion based on the information obtained

Download the Final Report 2008 from the Resources panel (right).

For more information contact teresa.stanley@watersafe.org.nz