The lure of snagging the big one is getting recreational fishers out on the water during winter.
Maritime NZ wants everyone on the water to be safe. That's why, in collaboration with The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, we decided to get our safety messaging out to those heading off-shore looking to haul in fish like marlin and bluefin tuna.
The piece focused on planning off-shore trips, what the risks are in winter, why people go out at this time of year, and how to keep safe if something goes wrong on the water.
Last winter was a tragic one, with 11 people losing their lives during a day out on the water. There were several other close calls as well.
The story on Seven Sharp aligned with the marketing campaign, "Better your odds," which focuses on teaching boaties how to give themselves the best chance of coming home safely by stacking the odds in their favour and making the right choices on the water.
Principal Advisor Recreational Craft, Matt Wood, says this story came together well and linked in several key risks to winter boating through innovative and interesting story telling.
"I don't normally get into the water fully clothed, but if it helps reduce harm on the water, it is well worth it," he says.
Matt Wood went into the water fully clothed to replicate what happens when people fall overboard.
