A shattered widow has described the distressing moment of helplessly watching her husband be swept off rocks into rough seas, never to be seen again.

Monitake ‘Moni’ Karakaua, 29, was fishing with friends at Salmon Holes near Albany in West Australia’s Great Southern region on Anzac Day when tragedy struck.

His wife Tongauea and two children had been watching the group from the shore when he lost his balance and fell from the rocks at the notorious spot into the treacherous surf.

It’s understood his lifejacket failed to inflate and he was unable to located by friends who had jumped into the water with buoys to rescue him. 

An extensive multi-day search was launched but the Fijian national has never been found.

Mr Karakaua had just been reunited with his young family in Australia, having moved ahead of them to start a new life in 2020. 

The rest of the family joined the meat processing worker in Katanning, 171km north of Albany just seven months ago.

Mr Karakaua and his wife had also recently celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary.

Monitake 'Moni' Karakaua (pictured with his family) went missing after being swept off rocks in WA's Salmon Holes

Monitake ‘Moni’ Karakaua (pictured with his family) went missing after being swept off rocks in WA’s Salmon Holes 

Monitake's (left) wife Tongauea (left) had arrived in WA with their children just seven months ago

Monitake’s (left) wife Tongauea (left) had arrived in WA with their children just seven months ago

‘I had tried to tell him to come back (off the rocks) to the shore,’ his wife told 7news.com.au. 

‘I witnessed everything. It’s just devastating.

‘I was helpless. My heart breaks.’

She described her husband as a workaholic, a man of faith and the ultimate family figure.  

‘No one can replace him, he’s an incredible person,’ she added.

Mr Karakaua was now the sole breadwinner for his family, who will now return home to Fiji.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by family friend Sharon Muir to help ease the financial burden and provide stability as his young family rebuild their lives.

‘Tonga is left to navigate the devastating grief of her missing partner and soulmate.’ the page states

Monitake Karakaua is survived by his wife Tongauea and their children Sarah and Arima

 Monitake Karakaua is survived by his wife Tongauea and their children Sarah and Arima

‘She faces an uncertain future and the overwhelming responsibility of raising their children alone. 

‘They are now facing the difficult task of leaving Australia and returning to Fiji where they hope to find emotional support, extended family, and a chance to rebuild their lives.

‘This is a time of immense sorrow and transition for the family.’

More than $5,200 has been raised. 

Salmon Holes is renowned as a scenic but dangerous fishing spot, where more than a dozen people have died or gone missing since the 1980s. 

In 2021, the state government made it mandatory for fishermen in the region to wear life jackets, following a two year trial. 

Free lifejackets are available for hire across Albany. 

Salmon Holes (pictured) is known as a scenic but dangerous fishing spot

Salmon Holes (pictured) is known as a scenic but dangerous fishing spot

Parks and Wildlife Service WA warned about the dangers of the Salmon Holes just three weeks before Mr Karakaua went missing, .

‘Don’t risk it’, the Facebook post read.

‘Rock fishing is extremely dangerous and people have lost their lives from slipping or being washed into the ocean by large waves, gusty winds and slippery surfaces. 

‘Even calm days can quickly turn.

‘Use the anchor points installed at Salmon Holes and wear a lifejacket, or better still, fish from the beach and keep the sand between your toes.’

It’s not known if the lifejacket worn by Mr Karakaua had been on loan from the WA government. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted West Australian Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis for comment.

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