Support Grows to Ditch Shark Nets Along Popular Beaches
Communities are increasingly advocating for the removal of shark nets to protect marine life and enhance swimmer safety.
Sydney, Australia, Shark Nets, Marine Life, SMART Drumlines, Swimming Safety
Sydney: The push to remove shark nets from beaches is gaining traction. Many locals are worried about the impact of these nets on marine life.
In New South Wales, shark nets are set up at 51 beaches every summer to keep swimmers safe. But people are starting to question how effective they really are.
More councils are now asking the state government to consider non-lethal options. These include SMART drumlines that catch sharks without harming them, along with drones and listening stations.
Last summer, only 15 target sharks were caught in the nets. Meanwhile, 109 other shark species and 29 turtles were also trapped. It’s clear that the nets are catching a lot of unintended wildlife.
Interestingly, over a third of the animals caught were released alive. This has led to more councils, like Sutherland Shire, to rethink their stance on shark nets.
They voted unanimously to ask the government to remove them, citing strong scientific evidence against their use. Lauren Sanderman from Humane Society International noted that this shift shows a growing awareness of the issue.
She pointed out that decades of research indicate that culling sharks doesn’t really work. More councils are realizing that the nets don’t effectively target sharks and often harm other species.
Five out of seven coastal councils have also expressed a desire to remove the nets. The premier has said he wants to hear from these councils, and they’re making their position clear.
Lake Macquarie City Council is still gathering information on how swimmer safety might be affected if the nets are taken down.
In 2021, Western Australia moved away from lethal drumlines, opting for non-lethal methods instead. Queensland has a similar approach, mixing nets with newer technologies.
Sue Heins, the mayor of Northern Beaches, is all for ditching the nets. She believes regular beachgoers don’t want them around. She compared the nets to a “hanky floating out there in the ocean.”
Heins mentioned that her area isn’t a shark nursery and that they’ve been using SMART drumlines successfully for a while.
As of now, no final decision has been made about the future of shark nets in NSW. Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty stated that the government is still consulting with local councils.
Interestingly, this summer, NSW will remove its shark nets a month earlier than usual, with the season ending on March 31.