Rings of confidence to boost rock fisher safety

Three new lifesaving angel rings are set to be installed at popular fishing spots in the Shire of Denmark. The angel rings will be installed a Lights Beach, pictured, Peaceful Bay and Parry Beach, bringing the total number of angel rings in the Shire to eight. The Shire and local fishers have worked with Recfishwest to identify locations which are popular and risky. The rings are life buoys designed to help someone who has fallen or been swept out to sea to stay afloat and away from rocks. Recfishwest’s Alanna Hubbard said the best approach to fishing safety was to stay off the rocks. “The Great Southern region has been a key area of focus to reduce rock fishing incidents and ensure everyone returns home safe after a day’s fishing,” she said. “The annual salmon run takes place between March and June which attracts thousands of fishers to the southern parts of the State, and in the past has resulted in a number of rock fishing incidents where proper safety measures have not been taken or taken into consideration. Rock fishing from exposed platforms in poor weather and large swell conditions involves inherent risks and with some of the best beaches in the world here in WA, we recommend you keep the sand between your toes and fish from the beach.” Less than two months ago, Northam couple Geoffrey Bignell, 20, and Victoria McCloy, 22, went missing during a rock fishing trip near Bald Head. Ms Hubbard said Recfishwest was investigating the possibility of installing an angel ring in the Bald Head area.