NSW: It's been 87 years, we're done with shark nets!

Email your local MP, as well as the Fisheries and Environment Ministers in New South Wales (NSW) to ask them to modernise their archaic approach to shark bite mitigation.

People and wildlife both deserve better than the current indiscriminate culling programs, that don't provide any real protection. These programs are at best a placebo, and at worst are luring large sharks closer to beaches. NSW deserves better.

BACKGROUND

New South Wales state legislation allows their Fisheries department to operate a lethal shark mitigation program, to reduce shark populations, through the use of shark nets.

These devices are fishing apparatus ...

Email your local MP, as well as the Fisheries and Environment Ministers in New South Wales (NSW) to ask them to modernise their archaic approach to shark bite mitigation.

People and wildlife both deserve better than the current indiscriminate culling programs, that don't provide any real protection. These programs are at best a placebo, and at worst are luring large sharks closer to beaches. NSW deserves better.

BACKGROUND

New South Wales state legislation allows their Fisheries department to operate a lethal shark mitigation program, to reduce shark populations, through the use of shark nets.

These devices are fishing apparatus designed to catch and kill. Their use is legislated under Fisheries legislation, and interfering with the equipment is punishable under the Fisheries Act. Public-facing Government communications avoid this fishing reference, but internal and legal references to this program acknowledge that it is a fishing program.

It is designed to selectively slaughter a wild animal, also known as culling.

METHODS

A 'shark net' is 150m long 6m deep, and set in 12m deep water. They are often used to "protect" beaches that are many kilometers long. These nets are designed to entangle and kill animals.

They are not a barrier, they do not enclose an area.

They are set approx 500m from shore, and neither prevents sharks from swimming over, under or around them. Bondi Beach spans approximately 1km and is "protected" by one 150m net. These nets do not go to the surface in New South Wales.

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NSW Cabinet - it's time to end shark nets once and for all!

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While this may not be a frontline issue in every electorate, or in your portfolio, the facts are clear: shark nets are outdated and ineffective as beach safety devices, and environmentally damaging. There is no evidence that they prevent shark bites, yet are responsible for the deaths of countless non-target marine animals, including threatened species.

Since 1989, shark nets have been removed annually from May to September, with no increase in shark incidents while they are removed. We urge you to support Ministers Moriarty and Sharpe in making the recent early removal of shark nets on March 31st, permanent.

Much of the community already believes this to have been a permanent removal, based on the unclear wording of the beach signage erected, and I'm sure you have had little to no pushback.

There is strong public support for modern, science-based alternatives that protect both beachgoers and marine life. This is especially true in coastal electorates, where a greater percentage of the population is well-versed on this issue. Coastal councils, experts, and the NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee are aligned in calling for change.

Still not sure if the other mitigation technologies NSW is already using are up to the job yet?

Here's some quick stats to put your mind at ease:
- Active Shark Surveillance Drones - 0 shark bites
- Active SMART Drumlines - 0 shark bites
- Active electrical shark deterrents - 0 shark bites
- Shark bite resistant wetsuits - 0 shark bites 
- Shark Barriers - 0 shark bites
- Lethal Shark Nets + Catch-and-Kill Drumlines - 139 shark bites (South Africa - 46 shark bites, 36 non-fatal, 10 fatal. NSW - 51 shark bites, 50 non-fatal, 1 fatal. QLD - 42 shark bites, 39 non-fatal, 3 fatal)

You now have the opportunity to take the lead in shark mitigation strategies by scrapping shark nets, and backing the effective non-lethal solutions already funded and deployed.

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