First responders have again urged rock fishers to wear life jackets and be careful after the deaths of two more men at Hill 60 in Port Kembla.
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The men, aged 31 and 38, died after they were swept off the rock platform shortly before 7pm Friday.
Their deaths come three weeks after three other men drowned at the same spot, on January 22.
A third fisherman was also swept off the rocks, but survived. He was taken to hospital with some water inhalation and mild hypothermia.
All three men were from southwestern Sydney and police believed they knew one another.
Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive officer Steven Pearce said it was believed none of the men were wearing life jackets or personal flotation devices, but police continued to investigate.
Mr Pearce said the drownings were a tragedy, but acknowledged that emergency services were frustrated that such incidents continued to occur.
"We are frustrated, we shouldn't have to be put into this situation all the time in these instances, and again, we would just like to reiterate and reinforce the messaging that if you are going to attend a rock platform or go rock fishing, it's so vitally important that you wear a life jacket," Mr Pearce said.
"A life jacket will, in most instances, save your life if you enter the water. And again, you have to let people know if you're rock fishing as well."
The Toll rescue helicopter winches a man from the sea off Honeycomb Rocks. Video taken by off-duty Marine Rescue Port Kembla member, Graeme McCrudden
Superintendent Dean Smith, commander of the Lake Illawarra Police District, said it was important to recognise that rock fishing could be dangerous.
"People need to be aware of the conditions, they need to make sure that they have the appropriate safety equipment with them, and they need to make sure that they accept a level of personal responsibility about where they put themselves and how they go about fishing," Superintendent Smith said.
Mr Pearce also said that people needed to take responsibility when they decided to go fishing in such environments.
"If you intend to go rock fishing in conditions that are deemed dangerous, without the personal protective gear, then that is the risk that you take personally," he said.
"But you have to remember that the risk you take personally is the risk that you then impose on the responders that may have to enter the water to try and save your life."
Video taken by off-duty Marine Rescue Port Kembla member, Graeme McCrudden, of the SLS crew retrieving men from the water
Mr Pearce said Surf Life Saving did an "enormous amount" of work with the western Sydney to community to spread messages about water safety, but the recent incidents at Hill 60 pushed them to do more.
He said they would work harder to ensure people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities understood the dangers of rock fishing.
Superintendent Smith and Mr Pearce praised the efforts of those who responded to the tragedy.
One of the police officers first on scene jumped in the water and swam about 100 metres to reach one of the stricken fisherman.
Superintendent Smith said he was "extremely proud" of this officer, as well as two others who sustained minor injuries when they were hit by a wave while on the rock platform.
Mr Pearce said the situation would have been a scene of "havoc" as responders worked to save the lives of the men, but they put in an "outstanding effort".
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
