Fisherman swept out to sea in WA

A man has been swept out to sea from a dangerous rock fishing spot where people have died before, on Western Australia's south coast.

An air and sea search is underway around Albany, five hours south of Perth, after the man was swept off the rocks at popular fishing location Salmon Holes at 1.40pm on Tuesday.

A specialised $14,000 emergency telephone was due to be installed in the area before Christmas - because it is a phone reception black spot - but it has still not arrived, says WA's peak recreational fishing body.

A Recfishwest spokesman told AAP 12 people had died at Salmon Holes since 1983, leading to a range of safety measures being implemented around Albany, including life rings and life jacket hire.

He said it was disappointing the telephone had failed to arrive at the deadly location on time.

"We're waiting and we're pushing pretty hard to get it installed, we're very angry over the process - it should have been here by now," the spokesman said.

Police said strong winds and rough seas were making the search more difficult, with one local aircraft involved and boats deployed.

The police spokesman said rain may have made the rocks slippery.

A severe weather warning has been issued for parts of the Great Southern as a cold front descends on the region, with heavy rain and damaging winds up to 90km/h forecast.

The Bureau of Meteorology also warns of higher than normal tides.

Since 2002, 25 fishers have died in WA waters after being swept from the rocks by large waves.

Racing and Gaming Minister Colin Holt, whose department funded the emergency telephone, said the delay in its installation was unacceptable.

WA Police Superintendent Dominic Wood told reporters two people had spotted the man, who is a 30-year-old Afghanistan national, in the water and raised the alarm.

"They've certainly seen someone in the water and sadly the person has disappeared under the water or disappeared out of sight," Supt Wood said.