The tragic spat of drownings across the ACT and NSW continued on Saturday afternoon when a man was swept off rocks while fishing in Tathra.
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Emergency services were called to the area in the state's far south following reports a number of fishermen had been washed out to sea at around 1pm.
A search was launched to retrieve the men with four being rescued from the water and treated by NSW Ambulance for minor injuries.
Another man, believed to be in his 50s, was also rescued and treated but he died at the scene.
The man was yet to be formally identified Saturday evening.
A NSW Surf Lifesaving statement said two of the men who were dragged out to sea by the waves were able to scramble back onto the rocks, with the remaining three pulled out of the water by inflatable rescue boats.
As a result of being immersed in the water two of these men required CPR.
One of the men responded well to the treatment by the volunteer lifesavers, while the other could not be revived.
Conditions at the time of the incident were believed to be "choppy" with strong winds and waves as high as three metres being reported by locals.
"A dangerous surf warning for deceptively powerful surf was issued yesterday (Friday) and will remain in place for at least the remainder of Saturday," the NSW Surf Lifesaving statement read.
"Neither the deceased man or the other man requiring CPR were wearing a lifejacket at the time they were washed into the water, while their colleague who was pulled from the water uninjured did have one on."
After being assessed by paramedics two of the men were transported to hospital for further treatment.
The drowning is the latest chapter in a tragic run of deaths in NSW and ACT.
In less than a month since Christmas Day, more than 20 people have died at the coast or rivers across the region.
NSW Surf Life Saving and the Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning to swimmers, surfers and rock fishers on Friday predicting the swell would be at its most violent on Saturday afternoon.
The Surf Life Saving acting operations manager Andy Kent said warnings shouldn't be taken lightly given the horror holiday drowning toll.
"We strongly urge people to be aware of their environment and the changing conditions. Take the time to study a recent weather forecast before heading out and let others know what your plans are," Mr Kent said.
"It's critically important that we continue to have these discussions about keeping safe in the ocean environment as sadly sometimes these messages aren't getting through."
