Two rock fishermen drown in Victoria

Rock fishermen are being urged to wear life jackets, after two were swept off rocks and drowned in Victoria this month.

A 67-year-old man was fatally swept into the sea while fishing at Sorrento on January 10, and the same occurred to a 26-year-old man at Portland on January 18.

Life Saving Victoria principal research associate Dr Bernadette Matthews said lifejackets would likely have prevented the deaths.

"In all of the rock fishing drowning cases we have seen in Victoria since 2000, none have been wearing lifejackets," Dr Matthews said on Thursday.

"It's a sad reality that the simple act of wearing a lifejacket would have most likely saved many lives."

Rock fishermen should also watch the water for at least 20 minutes before heading to the water's edge, to get a sense for the reach of larger waves.

"And never turn your back on the sea," Dr Matthews also said.