14 Drown In August

6 September 2002

14 Drown In August

Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) today announced that fishing related drownings dominated once again in the month of August.

WSNZ executive director Alan Muir stated that a total of 14 people drowned with six of these recreational drownings, all of them fishing related.

“The message just doesn’t seem to be getting through. Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities in New Zealand and people need to understand that the risks associated with this pastime need to be assessed and managed appropriately. The key consideration must be that whatever people do they should be able to return home to their families – with or without their catch” said Mr Muir.

So far this year 38 people have drowned while participating in recreational fishing (see Recreational Fishing Fact Sheet attached). This is 76% of the total recreational drowning figure and 44% of the overall drowning toll for the year to date.

For those people who are going to go out fishing over the coming months, the message is simple said Mr Muir. “Take precautions, if you understand the risks prepare accordingly for them, ensure equipment is in good working order, check the weather and swell conditions and if in doubt … stay out.”

In addition to the 50 recreational drownings, 36 people have drowned whilst not participating in aquatic related recreation. This is a record low for non-recreational drownings over the past 20 years.

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Recreational Fishing Fact Sheet

Provisional drowning statistics from DrownBase™, WSNZ’s official
drowning
database

38 people have drowned in recreational fishing activities so far in 2002
broken down as follows:

8 Setting nets (from boats)
· 5 Maori, 2 Pacific Islanders, 1 Caucasian
· 4 0-1 km from shore, 2 Rivers, 1 Harbour
· 3 Northland, 2 Canterbury, 1 Wanganui, 1 Marlborough, 1 Bay Of Plenty
· 7 males, 1 female

7 Angling (Land Based)
· 4 Asian, 2 Caucasian, 1 Maori
· 4 Rocky Foreshore, 2 Tidal Currents, 1 River
· 4 Auckland, 1 Northland, 1 Waikato, 1 Taranaki
· All males

6 Angling (from boats)
· 5 Caucasian, 1 Pacific Islander
· 4 0-1 km from shore, 2 Lakes
· 2 Auckland, 2 Gisborne, 2 Southland
· All males

4 Rescuing others during shell fishing
· 4 Maori
· 4 Tidal Currents
· 4 Waikato
· 3 Female, 1 male

4 Shell fishing
· 1 Asian, 1 Caucasian, 1 Maori, 1 Pacific Islander
· 4 Rocky Foreshore, 2 Tidal Currents, 1 River
· 2 Auckland, 1 Otago, 1 Hawkes Bay
· 3 males, 1 female

3 Net fishing
· 2 Caucasian, 1 Pacific Islander
· 2 Surf Beach, 1 River
· 2 Auckland, 1 Marlborough
· 2 males, 1 female

3 Snorkelling
· 2 Caucasian, 1 Maori
· 1 Harbour, 1 0-1 km from shore, 1 5+ km from shore
· 1 Northland, 1 Wellington, 1 Taranaki
· All males

2 Scuba diving
· 1 Caucasian, 1 Maori
· Both 0-1 km from shore
· 1 Waikato, 1 Wellington
· Both males

1 Immersion Accident (while family were shell fishing)
· Maori, Estuary, Auckland

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Water Safety New Zealand
PO Box 10126 Wellington
Phone 04-801 9600. Fax 04-801 9599
Website www.watersafety.org.nz

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