West Auckland rock fishers rate angel rings highly

Angel rings placed at high-risk rock fishing locations have been given the nod by Auckland's west coast fishers.

Preliminary results from year one of a two-year trial show a high level of acceptance for the rescue equipment. Angel rings, also known as life buoys or life rings, were installed at Whatipu, Piha, Whites Beach, Karekare, Bethells and Muriwai.

Seventy-eight per cent of fishers aware of the life-saving devices think angel rings are effective in high-risk locations.

"Since the trial began, only one angel ring has been taken," says Auckland regional councillor Sandra Coney. "This shows that they are valued by rock fishers."

The angel ring trial builds on a rock fishing safety programme run by Auckland Regional Council, WaterSafe Auckland and Surf Life Saving Northern Region since 2005.

In the first year of the overall programme, only 4 per cent of rock fishers reported wearing a life jacket often or always. In 2009 that figure has risen to 26 per cent.