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Safety plea for Pacific fishers

Tuesday 1 November 2011, 6:02PM

By WaterSafe Auckland Inc

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AUCKLAND

Be prepared with knowledge of local conditions and dangers, take appropriate safety precautions and above all, wear a lifejacket.

That’s the plea from Auckland’s water safety and Pacific injury prevention sectors following the spate of drownings this past week, all involving net fishing, a popular fishing method in the Pacific Islands.

“Fishing in warm lagoons with little or no surf, is very different to the unpredictable and often treacherous sea conditions we experience here in Auckland, as we have tragically discovered,“ says WaterSafe Auckland (WAI) Chief Executive Sandy Harrop, herself of Samoan heritage and PIPA executive member.

The survival of two fishermen reportedly wearing lifejackets, highlights how valuable and essential this piece of safety equipment is. Not only does it provide flotation, but by allowing the wearer to remain still it helps conserve energy and delay the onset of hypothermia.

Over the past week, surf lifeguards from Kariaotahi and Sunset Beach Surf Life Saving Clubs have been involved in the search and rescue of fishermen who were swept out to sea while net fishing near the mouth of the Waikato River. They have seen first-hand the tragic circumstances that can arise by people not being prepared in and around water.

Says Brett Sullivan, General Manager, Programmes and Services for Surf Life Saving New Zealand, “Everyone who enters the water needs to have taken the proper safety precautions. A few minutes taken in putting a lifejacket on will save lives.”

Since 2006 Pacific peoples have accounted for 23 percent of Auckland’s drowning toll, while representing less than 20 percent of the population. WAI is working closely with PIPA and Auckland’s Pacific community to address this overrepresentation, through educational interventions delivered in partnership with churches, workplaces and community groups.

“This is not just about learning to swim, but having the knowledge to make safer decisions in and around water,” says Sandy. “We hope that valuable learnings will be gained from these tragic events.

Preventing further tragedy will be high on the agenda for Pacific representatives attending WAI’s Aquatic Education and Drowning Prevention Forum on November 11, at the Marine Rescue Centre, which will include presentations on Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Coastal Audit Tool and New Zealand Search and Rescue’s new Water and Boat safety codes. 

Auckland Aquatic Education and Drowning Prevention Forum 2011

Marine Rescue Centre, Solent St, Mechanics Bay, Auckland
9.15am – 11.30am, Friday 11 November 2011

Keynote Address: ‘Auckland – A safer playground for everyone’
Nikki Kaye, MP, Auckland Central


Guest Speakers: Nick Mulcahy (Coastal Public Safety Officer, Surf Life Saving New Zealand), Duncan Ferner (Secretariat Manager, New Zealand Search and Rescue Council), Dr Michael Shepherd (Clinical Director, Paediatric Emergency Medicine Specialist, Starship) and Dr Kevin Moran (Faculty of Education, University of Auckland and Co-Chair of the International Task Force on Open Water Drowning)


Basic Beach Safety Rules from the NZ Water Safety Code

Be prepared - Learn to swim and survive and set rules for safe play in the water. Always use safe and correct equipment and know the weather and water conditions before you get in.

  • Always wear the safe and correct equipment

Be aware of the dangers - Enter shallow and unknown water feet first and obey all safety signs and warning flags. Do not enter the water after drinking alcohol.

  • If in doubt - stay out
  • Learn to recognise rip currents
  • Never swim when tired or cold

Watch out for yourself and others - Always pay close attention to children you are supervising, in or near water. Swim with others and in areas where lifeguards are present.

  • Swim between the flags
  • Have an adult supervise you
  • Listen to the advice from Surf Lifeguards
  • Consider other surf users

Know your limits - Challenge yourself within your physical limits and experience. Learn safe ways of rescuing others without putting yourself in danger.

  • Never swim or surf alone


WaterSafe Auckland is the acknowledged lead agency for water safety coordination and education in the Auckland region. As one of the four service delivery amenities under the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act 2008, WaterSafe Auckland is mandated by the ratepayers of Auckland to deliver water safety education to meet the needs of those living in and visiting the region.

Pasifika Injury Prevention Aukilana (PIPA) is a Pasifika focussed injury prevention group. Membership is drawn from health and safety professionals working within the community and includes Pasifika representation from Safekids NZ, Auckland Council, district health boards, ACC and specialist injury prevention organisations.