On Friday 17th August, NSW DPI announced that a third shark net trial would not go ahead on the NSW North Coast. This follows two previous trials where only 11 target sharks were caught compared to 409 non-targeted animals.
The vast majority of animals caught were bycatch such as rays, turtles and dolphins. Many were also protected species.
Sea Shepherd’s NSW Coordinator Allyson Jennings said, “Today’s announcement is finally a decision for common sense. When 97% of the animals caught in the nets were not target sharks and the local community confidence in the nets is as low as 32%, it was madness that the NSW Government could even consider a third trial. DPI’s data supports how ineffective these nets really are and they have never been able to demonstrate effectiveness in terms of ocean user safety. Shark nets are nothing but passive fishing devices which kill marine life.”
Sea Shepherd’s Queensland Coordinator Jonathan Clark further added, “It is a welcomed announcement that the shark nets will not be going back in for a third trial. Our crews have spent a lot of time on the water documenting the carnage of these ineffective devices since the 2016/17 trial and exposing to the public the collateral damage they cause. Sea Shepherd maintains that shark nets provide only a false sense of safety to ocean users. Sea Shepherd cares very much about human safety and non-lethal mitigation measures can achieve this.”
Ms Jennings added, “We strongly encourage the NSW Government to abandon the remaining trial period and instead to invest money in an array of non-lethal methods such as human and drone shark spotting programs, sonar technology, personal protection, good whale carcass management and public signage which protect ocean users effectively and avoid indiscriminately killing marine life.”
Australian Sea Bird Rescue Manager, Kathrina Southwell said, “We are happy with the announcement today and we look to being able to release rehabilitated turtles locally in Ballina Shire which is a win for local tourism and wildlife.”
“We also thank the Ballina councillors such as Deputy Mayor Keith Williams who saw the damage these nets would inflict on the marine ecosystem and the failure that they are in terms of ocean user safety,” said Ms Jennings.
Adam Burling, Sea Shepherd Australia