NSW: It's been 85 years, we're done with shark nets!

NSW: It's been 85 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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Email your local MP to support the removal of 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. 

Although it related to Queensland's program, the outcome of Humane Society International (Australia) Inc v Department of Agriculture & Fisheries (Qld) AATA Case in 2019 proved "overwhelmingly" that mesh nets and drumlines do not make any impact on safety, negatively impact the marine ecosystem, and provide beachgoers with a false sense of security. 

"The lethal component of the SCP (Shark Control Program) does not reduce the risk of unprovoked shark interactions. The scientific evidence before us is overwhelming in this regard." Humane Society International (Australia) Inc v Department of Agriculture & Fisheries (Qld)

The "Shark mitigation and deterrent measures" Senate Inquiry (2017) also found substantial evidence that Mesh Nets and Drumlines do not make any impact on safety, negatively impact the marine Ecosystem, and provide beach goers with a false sense of security - and recommended they cease in favour of modern non-lethal technologies.

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To make an even greater impact, edit the email body to ask for a meeting! Don't worry, we know it can be daunting, so we've made some materials to help you out: https://www.envoyfilm.com.au/meet-your-mp

Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program 2021/22 Annual Performance Report can be found here: https://www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1417139/Shark-Meshing-Bather-Protection-Program-2021-22-Annual-Performance-Report.pdf