Rock fishoes hooked on danger zones

19.05.2010

IT seems the thrill of big swell and
a prize catch were too strong for
some on the Central Coast over the
weekend despite the potential for
disaster.
Despite warnings urging
fishermen, swimmers and surfers
to stay away, some couldn't resist
the temptation.
Meanwhile police still haven't
found the body of a woman who
went missing during a rock fishing
trip at Catherine Hill Bay last
weekend.
The bodies of her four fishing
companions, three men and a
woman, were found last Monday
and Tuesday.
Police continued to patrol the
coastline on Thursday with members
of the marine command
combing the water.
Surf Life Saving Central Coast
chief executive officer Chad
Griffith said people were playing
Russian roulette with their lives
when it came to rock fishing.
"It seems while most people
adhered to the safety warnings,
there are still those people who are
choosing to ignore them," Mr
Griffith said.
"People really are risking their
lives, especially when it comes to
rock fishing in conditions like we
saw on the weekend, especially
with a southerly coming across
Avoca Point."
At the end of the day, we can
only urge people to listen to the
safety warnings and wear the
correct safety gear, because we are
getting tired of picking up the
pieces."
Fisherman weren't the only
ones drawn to the large swell, with
surfers across the Central Coast
revelling in the big conditions.