Waverley council could remove shark nets from key Sydney beaches
Image: Waverley council recently passed a motion investigating the removal of shark nets from beaches in the local government area. Photo: Wikimedia commons.
By EVIE MCLOUGHLIN
Waverley council is investigating removing shark nets from some of Sydney’s most popular beaches, after a motion was passed last month recognising the negative impacts that the nets have on marine life.
Shark netting was introduced into Sydney beaches in 1937 to prevent the activity of sharks in proximity to swimmers and surfers. This management strategy has since had multiple negative impacts on the protection of marine animals.
The motion, tabled by Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos, recognises the damages that shark nets at Bondi and Bronte beaches cause to marine animals. Reports from the NSW Department of Primary industries state that “of the 376 marine animals caught in shark nets during the 2021-22 reporting period, only 51 were the target species”.
Cr Masselos said that Waverley council sees these statistics as “unacceptable”.
“This is why we support modern and effective technologies available to track and monitor sharks.”
Cr Masselos said in her motion that shark nets are providing a “false sense of security” for swimmers.
“Current shark nets are only 150m long, six metres high and set at a depth of about 10m. They’re not there to create a barrier between swimmers and sharks, but they sort of help disrupt some of the swimming patterns” the motion states.
The motion reports that between 2009 and 2016, 19 sharks that pose a danger to swimmers were caught in the net, and subsequently 14 of these sharks died. 15 sea turtles were also caught in the net during this time, with most of them not surviving.
Shark expert calls for measures that “actually reduce” chances of shark attacks
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) supports Waverley Council’s decision to push for the removal of shark netting in local beaches.
Dr Leonardo Guida, Senior Sharks Campaigner at the AMCS, said to City Hub that shark nets represent a “hundred-year-old” safety standard.
“Nowhere in our lives, be it schools, hospitals or at work, do we accept 100-year-old safety standards. Why should the beach be any different?” Dr Guida said.
“We need to listen to the science and enact measures that can actually reduce the risk of shark a bite.”
The council’s proposed solution is to investigate the use of drones to patrol for sharks. Cr Masselos said that “there are far better technologies out there, such as drone surveillance, and I look forward to our investigations as they progress”.
Cr Masselos tweeted that “very soon” beachgoers will be protected from sharks through the use of these drones, which will be operated by Waverley lifeguards.
Very soon our professional Waverley lifeguards will be using shark spotting drones to keep swimmers & surfers safe in the water. At last night’s Council meeting I was thrilled my Mayoral Minute calling for the development of Waverley Lifeguards Drone Shark Patrol was supported. pic.twitter.com/bNqdoJBJu3
— Paula Masselos (@paulamasselos) August 17, 2022
