Key Points
- There are safety rules, not respecting them may lead to paying hefty fines and risking your life
- If someone you are fishing with is washed into the water, don’t jump after them
- This summer possible flash flooding and heavy erosion are expected in Queensland, NSW and Victoria
Out of 248 people drowned in Australian waterways, 80 percent were males, according to the .
Between 1st July 2019 and 30th June 2020, the report estimates a further 504 people experienced a non-fatal drowning incident.
Most commonly, drowning incidents occur in rivers and creeks, 21 per cent, followed by accidents in ocean and harbours at 20 per cent and on the beach, 18 per cent.
Natashar Wills from Victorian Fisheries Authority says the top three activities that have an impact on the rate of drowning incidents are swimming, boating or falling when fishing.
She says members of multicultural community are not always familiar with rules set in place for water safety activities.
It’s important to know there are fishing rules, and you need to follow them because the fines are really large.
On the the information on safe fishing is available in English, simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Malay language.
Natashar Wills says safety measures are essential because they save lives.
A view from the walk Byron Bay to the Cape Byron Lighthouse. Source: Getty Images/Paris Jefferson
Arrange to fish with, at least, two more people so that you can all look after each other, and always wear a life jacket when you go fishing.
Natashar Wills advises, once you choose your fishing spot to spend some time thinking about an escape route for the worst-case scenario.
She also warns about jumping in if someone you are fishing with is washed into the water.
Many people have overestimated their swimming ability. We had had people who have drowned because they’ve tried to save somebody else.
Natashar Wills says the best thing to do in those situations is to use a rope or something that floats to throw to the person in the water, and to dial 000 or 112 on your mobile phone to get help.
Zulfi Hydari migrated to Australia eight years ago.
Source: Getty Images/Ingetje Tadros
For the last three years, he has been volunteering with State Emergency Service, SES, at the Greater Dandenong Unit in Victoria.
So, with SES we pretty much do everything like ground support, rescuing people, flood, storms...everything except fires.
He says many volunteers at SES are from multicultural background and speak many languages.
I can speak up to four languages. So, we will definitely have somebody in our crew or in our unit that can their concerns and stuff. So, that’s really handy that way.
Source: Getty Images/Sean Garnsworthy
The risk of flooding will be higher than average for Queensland, for New South Wales, and for Victoria as well.
He is concerned about flash flooding and heavy erosion in areas that have experienced significant bushfires last summer.
So, in those bushfires area, we are concerned about the increase risk of flash flooding, and also the increase risk of heavy erosion events or even landslips.
Zulfi Hydari says, when it comes to floods, it’s often silly behaviour that gets people into trouble.
People don’t understand that they are not supposed to drive in the flood water because it’s not safe.
From his experience, Zulfi Hydari thinks many of these drowning accidents could be prevented.
The ocean is pretty dangerous, if you don't know how to swim then stay away from the water.
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For up-to-date information about emergencies from around Australia, along with advice to protect you and your property go to
Fly Fishing South Esk River Tasmania Source: Getty Images/Lesley McEwan Images