Environmentalists say nets’ bycatch unacceptable but premier Chris Minns says alternative technologies not as good a replacement

Shark nets will be retained on New South Wales beaches despite widespread opposition to what environmentalists say is an “Ineffective” safety measure.

The Labor leader said removing shark nets in Sydney is a “Good ambition but we’ve got a ways to go when it comes to that shark detection technology”.

The decision defies this month’s Department of Primary Industries report, which found almost 90% of marine animals caught in shark nets off NSW beaches over the past year were non-target species such as turtles, rays and dolphins.

In Sydney, the nets did not catch a single tiger or white shark during the 2022-23 summer season, according to the DPI’s Shark Meshing Program data.

The Central Coast council said its opposition to shark mesh nets had not changed and that it had not been informed of the DPI’s decision to retain the nets.

    • No1@aussie.zone
      4·
      1 year ago

      I always think that shark nets would be OK if the sharks were coming out of the ocean, attacking humans and we put the nets up on land.

      But if it’s humans choosing to go into the ocean, it seems unfair and stupid to put nets in that just tangle up any random sea life.

  • AutoTL;DR@lemmings.worldBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:

    The state’s premier, Chris Minns, confirmed that the government will install shark nets across 51 beaches from Newcastle to Wollongong in time for the summer season.

    The decision defies this month’s Department of Primary Industries report, which found almost 90% of marine animals caught in shark nets off NSW beaches over the past year were non-target species such as turtles, rays and dolphins.

    The mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, who oversees some of Sydney’s most famous beaches including Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte, said the state government must embrace 21st-century technologies that are more effective, such as surveillance drones and Smart drumlines.

    Dr Vanessa Pirotta from Macquarie University’s Marine Predator Research Group said Smart drumline technology should be used as an alternative to shark nets.

    In February last year, British expat Simon Nellist was killed by a 3-metre great white shark at Little Bay in Sydney’s Randwick council area.

    Animal Justice party MP Emma Hurst said the premier’s decision to put shark nets back in the water was “cowardly” and urged the government to implement alternatives.

    The original article contains 731 words, the summary contains 175 words. Saved 76%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!