Police plea for safe fishing: west coast beaches

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Kumeu police are warning fishermen to exercise caution as the warmer weather lures people to west coast beaches.

The plea follows the death of fisherman Liangpeng Lian who fell into the water while fishing on October 5 near Kauwahaia Island.

The 43-year-old's body was recovered on Muriwai Beach after it was spotted by a member of the public from a nearby walking track.

Kumeu community constable Dmitry Pantileev said Lian's family members were "absolutely devastated" by the tragedy.

Friends who were with Lian when he fell off the rocks were very upset, he said.

"I don't think they all do fishing any longer. "

Pantileev urged rock fishermen to avoid areas with extreme waves and tides, to take someone with them and to wear a lifejacket.

"It's not 100 per cent protection as the waves can crash you against the rocks and you can still be badly injured," he said.

"At least the jacket can prevent drowning and keep the person afloat until help arrives."

Pantileev reminded parents to keep a close watch over their children at such notorious swimming spots as Muriwai Beach and Bethells Beach.

"Once when I was at Muriwai, the water level came from below the knees to the chest area," he said.

" It was a split second for that wave to arrive.

"For people who can not swim and even for experienced swimmers, you can struggle because of the strong current and waves dragging you off shore to sea, " he said.