Sydney Beaches To Trial Shark Net Removals
Image: Instagram @bondibeach
The New South Wales government is starting to trial the removal of shark nets from Sydney and Central Coast beaches, in a move welcomed by scientists and experts.
Waverly, Northern Beaches, and Central Coast have all received a request from the State Government, requesting that they choose a beach where shark nets could be removed.
Bondi Beach, along with several other potential sites in New South Wales, could join the trial of removing shark nets.
Speaking to the ABC, Waverly Mayor Will Nemesh said that “additional measures” would need to be done if shark nets were to be removed in Bondi Beach.
“Waverly Council’s position is clear: the safety of our community comes first,” he said.
Central Coast Council said it will take a “coordinated approach” with the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
NSW Agriculture Minister, Tara Moriarty told The Guardian that the “number one priority” is the safety of people attending the beach.
Moriaty said the government will be taking in the evidence from the last few seasons and feedback from the local council when making a decision and approach.
The decision will be made by December as to which beaches will be joining the trial.
Shark nets- an illusion of safety?
Scientists have welcomed the trial to remove shark nets from beaches, as they fail at preventing shark attacks and create a false sense of security.
The National Parks Association of NSW said sharks can swim below and above the nets, as the nets are not secured to the seafloor or the surface. Sharks can also swim around the net, as the nets are only 150 meters long.
Unfortunately, shark nets also catch other marine life, often killing endangered species.
Lawrence Chlebeck, a marine biologist at Humane World for Animals, has said that “they’re not the barriers that people think they are”.
“Sharks can easily swim around, underneath, over the top. In fact, 40% of sharks are caught on the inside of the net – so these animals have already been to the beach.”
Chlebeck reflected on the NSW government trial as a good first step.
He also mentioned that states such as South Australia and Western Australia have taken a more progressive approach by not implementing shark nets. However, using non-lethal tools, like shark monitoring, public education, and surveillance, which are more effective.
