Rockfisher Drowns at North Head
A rockfisher is his 30s has been retrieved at Blue Fish Point near Manly after ending up in the water this morning, Sunday 8 June 2025. The tragic incident continues the horror run of rockfishing deaths in NSW since Easter.
Just after 7.30am, the Surf Emergency Response System was activated by NSW Police to respond to a man washed or fallen into the water.
Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command commenced an extensive search operation, assisted by Marine Area Command, the Police Diving Unit, Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter, Marine Rescue Australia NSW, with IRB callout crews from Freshwater, Queenscliff, Manly and North Steyne SLSCs responding.
A short time later Police divers retrieved the 33-year old man who was reported to have been wearing a lifejacket, but it may not have been secured correctly.
Large and powerful surf conditions are being experienced along the coast with strong offshore winds. A Hazardous Surf Warning has been forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology for the southern and central coasts for Monday and Tuesday.
As the volunteer lifesaving patrol season finished at the end of April, and only some NSW locations are patrolled by Australian Lifeguard Service lifeguards over winter, the message is clear - if a beach is closed or the conditions appear treacherous, stay out of the water.
This safety message is also imperative for rock fishers, with rock platforms of particular concern while the swell is large.
Since 1 July 2024 in NSW, there has been 50 coastal drownings. This is the 8th rockfishing drowning with another 4 fatalities in rock related incidents.
"What we're seeing across many of our beaches is really quite dangerous surf conditions that have the potential to catch out rockfishers in particular," SLSNSW CEO, Steve Pearce said.
"We have seen so many rockfishing incidents, rescues and drownings since Easter when six coastal drownings were all a result of people being washed off rock platforms.
"Check BeachSafe before you visit the coastline and do not go in the water if the beach is closed. If you're planning to rock fish, do your research prior to leaving and always wear a lifejacket.”
Rock Fishing Safety Tips
Always wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear
Check tides, swell and weather conditions
Fish with a friend – never fish alone
Carry a mobile phone and let someone know where you’re planning to go and when you plan to be back
Never turn your back to the sea
Always spend time watching the conditions before fishing, and constantly scan for changing conditions
Do NOT jump in if someone is washed into the water
If you are swept into the water don’t panic. Stay calm and swim away from the rocks
If witnessing an in-water emergency dial Triple Zero (000) – Police
See www.beachsafe.org.au for patrolled locations/times and rock fishing safety information
