Kiama Municipal Council will opt in to provisions of the Rock Fishing Safety Act following a series of coastal fatalities.
Councillors voted in favour of the proposal at Tuesday night's meeting and CEO Jane Stroud will request the Minister for Local Government, The Hon. Ron Hoenig MP, to make a declaration under the Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016 that the Kiama local government area is deemed a place where high-risk rock fishing occurs.
If approved by the Minister, signage will be placed at seven locations in the LGA depicting high-risk zones where it will be mandatory for anyone engaged in rock fishing to wear a lifejacket.
Anyone caught not wearing an appropriate lifejacket could receive a $100 on the spot fine from Police or Fisheries Officers.
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said it was important to introduce stronger safety measures as too many lives have been lost on our coastline.
"Rock fishing is a dangerous pastime and we strongly advise anyone who does so to wear a lifejacket," Councillor McDonald said.
"More than 78 per cent of community members who voted in an online poll on Kiama Council's website were in favour of lifejackets being made compulsory for rock fishing.
"We don't want to see any more tragedies so we will continue to work with the State Government and Surf Life Saving NSW to improve rock fishing safety.
"Councillor Imogen Draisma has been the driving force behind these upgraded safety measures and I commend her for her efforts to address this important issue."
The seven local areas identified as high-risk rock fishing locations are Minnamurra Headland, Cathedral Rocks at Bombo, Blowhole Point, Marsden Head, the Kiama Coastal Walking Track, Gerringong Headland and Black Head.
Between November and February, Council undertook a range of community engagement initiatives and Surf Life Saving NSW held a rock fishing safety workshop which attracted more than 100 local anglers.
Council opting in to the Rock Fishing Safety Act comes on the back of Surf Life Saving NSW trialling the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) camera technology at the Kiama Blowhole in a bid to reduce rock fishing drowning deaths.
The AI camera trial at Kiama Blowhole.
The SAIL Project – (Surveillance AI for Lifesaving), is a 14-month trial which started in October and uses AI and camera-based platforms to identify incidents at unpatrolled and high-risk locations, enhancing the ability to prevent tragedies and save lives.
Cameras mounted on a post capture continuous video feeds and when AI identifies an emergency event, the SLSNSW State Operations Centre is alerted.
A rock fisherman was rescued from heavy seas at the Kiama Blowhole on 12 January - he was able to stay afloat with the help of his lifejacket until the TOLL Ambulance Rescue Helicopter crew winched him to safety.
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said the message is simple - lifejackets save lives.
"What the AI camera trial at Kiama Blowhole on the South Coast and Little Bay in Sydney has shown us is that by harnessing new and emerging technologies, Surf Life Saving is able to respond quicker to unfolding rock fishing emergencies," he said.
"While still very much in a trial phase, we have seen multiple rescues as a result of the AI technology picking up a rock fisher washed into the ocean.
"We have also noted the importance of lifejackets in these successful rescues in January. Wearing lifejackets was a key factor in emergency services being able to rescue them.
"Rock fishing related drownings are the second-highest cause of all coastal drownings. I can't stress enough the importance of doing your research prior to visiting a rock platform and ensure you are wearing a lifejacket.
"Surf conditions can change in an instant and the decisions you make before stepping onto that rock platform could save your life."
Kiama Blowhole is one of two sites in NSW chosen for the AI trial, along with Little Bay in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
