Coroner recommends lifejackets be mandated when rock fishing

Coroner Michael Robb has recommended lifejackets be mandated by law while rock fishing after the deaths of three men at Waikato's Papanui Point.

The Coroner made the recommendation after an inquiry into the deaths of Raymond Barcenas Bensig, Nicholas Manish Narayan, and Yaojun Li, who all died at the popular fishing spot near Raglan in two separate incidents.

The first incident involved Bensig and Narayan, who were swept into the waters at Papanui Pt while fishing from the rocks with their friends on August 5, 2023.

The second incident involved Li, who either slipped or was washed into the water on January 29, 2024, while fishing with his brother, a work colleague, and his son.

It was concluded all three died from drowning.

Again on Monday, a search was launched after reports someone fell into the water at Papanui Pt. At the time, police said the person had not been located and a search was ongoing.

Eighteen to 20 people had died in the area between 1980 and 2023.

The Coroner said restricting permission to access Papanui Pt might reduce the risk of rock fishers dying by drowning, it "will not in and of itself reduce the risk of rock fishers dying by drowning".

"The reality appears to be that rock fishers are willing to go to extraordinary lengths to position themselves at a fishing location that may, to many, appear to be inherently dangerous in the hope that it results in the best opportunity to catch fish."

"Changing that willingness to seek out such a location may prove difficult, if possible, at all."

The Coroner said imposing a "mandatory and enforceable requirement" to wear a lifejacket while rock fishing "may bring about a cultural shift to taking personal responsibility through a relatively straightforward habit".

"For anyone rock fishing, who ends up in the water at Papanui Pt or any other area of rugged rocky New Zealand coastline, being able to stay afloat for an extended period is the only thing that is going to allow emergency services to successfully save a life.

"I consider mandating that rock fishers wear a lifejacket as a matter of standard fishing equipment, is the only matter that could have significantly increased the chances of survival of those who have drowned while rock fishing. I consider mandating the wearing of a lifejacket while rock fishing has the greatest likelihood of reducing the risk of avoidable drownings within the recreational fishing community."

He said a cultural attitude shift was needed for lifejackets to be looked at as an essential part of fishing equipment.

"In the face of the up to 20 rock fishing deaths, just at Papanui Pt, I recommend that steps be undertaken to introduce that legislation as a matter of urgency."

The Coroner also made recommendations to the Department of Conservation and Waikato District Council, including the need for new signage in some areas and for the re-introduction of buoyancy aids.

Buoyancy aids were previously available at Papanui Pt, however the Coroner said they had been stolen by members of the public.

The Waikato District Council regularly undertook routine checks and replaced the buoyancy aids when it became aware they were missing, the approach changed in 2023 due to damage from Cyclone Gabrielle.

In the Coroner's report, a spokesperson for the council said: "It does not appear from the information that council holds that the buoyancy aid remains in place, or that inspections have been undertaken since that time.

"The area poses a hazard to not only the general public accessing the site, but also to staff and contractors. While council appreciates the significance of the buoyancy aid, it is also cognisant of its obligations to ensure the health and safety of staff and contractors."

The Coroner also recommended the formation of a working group to "help reduce the amount of avoidable deaths" occurring at Papanui Pt, and to look for a national approach for recreational rockfishers".

Under his recommendation, the working group would include the New Zealand Sportfishing Council, the New Zealand Angling and Casting Association, and recreational fishing industry partners.

While he acknowledged these solutions were limited, he said lifejackets could have "significantly increased the chances of survival for those who have drowned while rock fishing".

The four recommendations were broadly supported by interested parties, the coroner said, although the key recommendation to mandate lifejackets was subject to reservations voiced by Water Safety New Zealand, the New Zealand Sportfishing Council, the New Zealand Angling, Casting Association and recreational fishing industry partners due to a request for further consultation.

When the Coroner followed up on whether consultation had been undertaken he said he received no response.

In a statement, Water Safety NZ said it supported the call for rock fishers to wear life jackets.

"Rock fishing is dangerous, and fishing at Papanui Point in particular has claimed many lives," interim chief executive Gavin Walker said.

"The risks are known. Wearing a lifejacket is the single most important step that can be taken to save lives and reduce drowning statistics."