The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is encouraging everyone heading out on the water to wear a lifejacket that fits them following a boating tragedy in Auckland.
Rotorua Lakes Maritime Officer Ross Powell said lifejackets could save lives in emergency situations on the Rotorua lakes.
"The Bay of Plenty Regional Navigation Safety Bylaw 2010 requires, as a minimum, the person in charge of a vessel to have enough appropriately sized lifejackets that are easily accessible for all people on board. It's also compulsory for people to wear them while being towed.
"Last year we issued four infringement warning notices to people on the lakes who were breaching navigation safety bylaws about lifejackets. It was really pleasing that at the opening weekend of the trout fishing season last October we stopped more than 300 vessels and only two weren't complying with the bylaw concerning lifejackets.
"The fact that more people are wearing lifejackets is great, but there's still room to improve."