Hunter Lifesaving has reiterated calls for mandatory life jackets after the death of a fisherman at Redhead.
A 35-year-old man was washed off the rocks at Redhead bluff on Saturday afternoon whilst fishing with friends, he was later found on a rock ledge and pronounced dead at the scene.
New South Whales government put forward a discussion paper about the issue in August this year but there is yet to be any direct action.
Hunter Director of Lifesaving, Mick Motley, says education is not enough
"We've been trying education and people are just not listening, so we're going to have to try to put something in place to enforce it," he said, "I'd like to see mandatory life jackets to be worn by all rock fisherman... there's just too many people getting washed off the rocks and being servery injured or drowned (sic)".
Rock fishermen have been advised to wear appropriate clothing and have safety equipment on them at all times.
"If everyone is going to go to the rocks I would like everyone to check the weather conditions, check that they're safe, and I'd plead to wear a life jacket," Motley said.
During the 2011/2012 financial year twelve people drowned whilst rock fishing.
