biostudies-literatureUnknown33 Suppl 1Birch RDepartment of Environment and Primary Industries (now Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning) recreational fishing large grants program.Department of Environment and Primary Industries<h4>Issue addressed</h4>Participants engaged in rock fishing are at risk of drowning. Following coronial investigation of fatalities, a 3-year safety campaign targeting rock fishers was developed in Victoria, Australia. Key campaign messages were wearing lifejackets, not fishing alone, and checking sea and weather conditions. The reported study provides results from a campaign evaluation.<h4>Methods</h4>Evaluation by self-report and direct observation of safety attitudes and behaviours was undertaken pre- and during campaign. Data collections were as follows: (a) online survey of rock fishers recruited from panels, social media and rock fishing networks (n = 350) and (b) rock fisher direct observation and self-report at selected Victorian rock fishing platforms (n = 282; n = 58, respectiveHealth promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals399-409https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9790509biostudies-literatureRock fisher behaviours and perceptions regarding drowning risk assessed by direct observation and self-report: A public awareness campaign evaluation.PMC9790509Arch JMatthews BMorgan DBirch RfalseRock fisher behaviours and perceptions regarding drowning risk assessed by direct observation and self-report: A public awareness campaign evaluation.<h4>Issue addressed</h4>Participants engaged in rock fishing are at risk of drowning. Following coronial investigation of fatalities, a 3-year safety campaign targeting rock fishers was developed in Victoria, Australia. Key campaign messages were wearing lifejackets, not fishing alone, and checking sea and weather conditions. The reported study provides results from a campaign evaluation.<h4>Methods</h4>Evaluation by self-report and direct observation of safety attitudes and behaviours was undertaken pre- and during campaign. Data collections were as follows: (a) online survey of rock fishers recruited from panels, social media and rock fishing networks (n = 350) and (b) rock fisher direct observation and self-report at selected Victorian rock fishing platforms (n = 282; n = 58, respective2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Oct2025-04-04T12:10:15.25Z2025-04-04T12:10:15.25ZS-EPMC97905093517981610.1002/hpja.583