Over 90% of marine animals caught in NSW shark nets were non-target species

by LALROHLUI and GRACE JOHNSON

In a startling revelation, more than 90 per cent of marine animals caught in shark nets off the coast of New South Wales over the summer were non-target species. 

According to new data, released by the Humane Society International (HSI) Australia, 208 non-target wildlife have been ensnared and 134 found dead in shark nets in NSW waters.

On Eastern Suburb beaches – Bondi, Bronte, Maroubra, Coogee – a total of 17 non-target animals were caught this season, with 12 found dead. None of the shark nets in these beaches caught target sharks.

According to the ‘catch’ data for NSW’s Shark Meshing Program from 1 September 2023 until 11 April 2024, which HSI Australia was able to attain under a Freedom of Information process, a staggering 93 per cent of marine animals caught in shark nets were non-target species, including whales, turtles, dolphins, rays and smaller or non-aggressive sharks.

Among the 134 dead animals found in this past season included five critically endangered grey nurse sharks, four endangered leatherback turtles and an endangered loggerhead turtle, a devastating blow to already imperilled species.

Of the non-target animals caught, only 36 per cent were released alive (74 animals).

The new data came as the shark nets were due to be removed from beaches in preparation for winter.

Calls are now mounting for the NSW Government to ensure that they don’t return.

Outdated technology 

“Shark nets don’t discriminate,” said Lawrence Chlebeck, Marine Biologist and Campaigner at HSI Australia. 

“Year after year nine out of 10 of the animals caught in the nets are non-target species, and without providing any benefit to public safety. It’s why NSW beachside communities are fed up with these wildlife death traps,” he continued.

“The Minns Government inherited this outdated technology that has been used since the 1930s. But they don’t need to stick with it. There has been over $85 million committed to modern shark management which is now fully operational on our beaches and much more effective at keeping us safe.

“NSW has the best-funded and most advanced shark risk strategy in the world, so it’s time the Minns Government retired the ineffective and destructive nets.”

Shark nets, installed at 51 beaches from Newcastle to Wollongong, have been in place for nearly a century. However, modern alternatives, such as SMART ( Shark-Management-Alert-In-RealTime) drumlines, drone surveillance, and alert systems, have proven to be far more effective in reducing the risk of shark bites while minimising harm to marine life.

Dr Leonardo Guida, shark scientist at the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), supported the calls to use modern alternatives to nets, adding that they in use at every beach where there is a net, “minus the horrific bycatch numbers.”

“Public sentiment and the science are in alignment – let’s keep the nets out and the drones up,” he said.