Think before firing your torpedo
<p>Fly a flag if you fish and plan to use a torpedo or kontiki at the beach this summer.<br />
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That is the safety message Te Hiku Community Board has for Far North residents and holiday makers.<br />
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Board chairman Dennis Bowman says fishing torpedoes and kontikis are great inventions that allow people to fish up to 900 metres from the beach.<br />
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However, using them to tow fishing lines beyond the breakers at popular swimming beaches during summer may result in injuries to other beach users if simple safety precautions aren’t followed.<br />
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The board asks torpedo and kontiki users to:<br />
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- not launch the motorised, propellor-driven devices within 100 metres of swimmers, surfers, body boarders and boats or where people are gathering shellfish<br />
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- fit them with an orange flag so people in or on the water are alerted to their whereabouts <br />
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- stay with their fishing line at all times to minimise the chances of swimmers or other beach users becoming entangled in the line.<br />
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The board also asks kite surfers to observe a 100 metre exclusion zone near swimmers.<br />
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"Kite surfers have been observed surfing at excessive speeds near swimmers," Mr Bowman says.<br />
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People who fish at popular swimming beaches, including Tokerau and Rangiputa are urged, not to leave fish frames and offal on the beach because they attract stingrays and sharks.<br />
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“We don’t want to spoil anybody’s fun or day at the beach. We’re just asking people to exercise a little common sense and show consideration for other beach users.”<br />
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