A BODY believed to be missing 19-year-old fisherman Brenden Hurd has been found off the NSW south coast after he was swept off rocks earlier this week.
It has yet to be formally identified but police believe it is the missing Berkeley teenager.
A report will now be prepared for the coroner.
The incident has reignited the debate over mandating protective equipment like lifejackets for rock fisherman.
Last year, five anglers were killed after they were swept from the same rock platform in Hill 60.
Wollongong Council erected a sign containing warnings in multiple languages to alert anglers to the risks of fishing from the platform.
“It is dangerous, we all acknowledge that but relying on a sign alone is not the complete solution,” Member for Wollongong Paul Scully told ABC News.
“I repeat my calls for action to make it safer.”
Scully said the Minister for Local government had the powers to act to make life jackets mandatory for Hill 60 if the council would not.
“What I’ve suggested to the Minister for Local Government is that there should be action taken if the council is needlessly delaying action here,” he said.
“It remains one of the most dangerous rock fishing platforms in the country.”
The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party introduced a bill in NSW parliament last year to mandate specific footwear and wetsuits for rock fishing.
What are your thoughts on mandatory lifejackets for rock fishers?
Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-27/brenden-hurd-fisherman-body-found-/101020598
