Salmon Holes should close: rescuers
The closure of notorious fishing spot Salmon Holes looms as an option after the drowning of a rock angler and another who remains missing.
The search for the missing fisherman, who was swept off the rocks last Saturday morning, was officially called off on Tuesday after an extensive air, land and sea search over four days.
Police will now prepare a report for the coroner.
The double tragedy has renewed calls for the fishing spot - where there have been 11 confirmed deaths in the past 32 years - to be closed.
A Department of Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman said a review of the weekend tragedy would be undertaken and "closure or the creation of a restricted area may be part of these discussions".
"The department will continue to work with agencies and groups to identify measures which may contribute to preventing further fatalities," she said.
The two men, who did not speak English, were swept into the water at 7.15am but were understood to be tied together by a rope which was secured to a rock.
Rescuers battled treacherous conditions including swells of up to 8m at times on Saturday, but could not find the second man.
Albany Surf Life Saving Club emergency response team co-ordinator Pat McSweeney said it was his team's view that the road to Salmon Holes should be closed on days of large and dangerous swells.
"I know a lot of people do the right thing, maybe for that short period of time while we have that swell … shut the road and keep people out," he said.
Albany Sea Rescue operations co-ordinator Chris Johns said what he witnessed during the search showed anglers would still risk their lives .
"We were out there searching and there was still people throwing rods into the water, with attitudes like that I just give up," he said.
"If you are going to close it (the road) ... close it full stop."
