Shark Nets to be Removed from Three Sydney Beaches in Controversial Trial

Although there were encounters with sharks, there has been no fatal attack on a clear beach since 1937. The shark deaths in the entire state are two years on average on an average of about 900 beaches.

A fish and shark scientist Macquarie University Professor Culum Brown said there was no statistical difference.

“There is no scientific evidence… This shows that you are a safer swimming on a beach with a network.“ The reason for this is difficult to model because the deaths of sharks and even shark bites are so rare. ”

Shark nets are only 150 meters long and the gaps on them and the gaps on them can swim around, top and below the sharks. Brown said a large percentage of sharks caught in networks were on the beach side.

This Masthead had previously reported that in Sydney University research, sea creatures caught in networks could really attract sharks and make them inefficient. Brown showed that this research was reliable and that most of the paintings were bitten from them.

For animals, a charity that campaign against shark networks, the Humanitarian World received documents under the laws of freedom of information that the government’s own fishing science committee should be stopped before last summer. There was no difference between the clear and non -clear beaches in the attacks, the networks were an “important threat process for extinct species such as gray nurse sharks.

In 2024-25, 223 animals were arrested in Nets, FOI documents were shown, and more than two out of three were killed. Only 24 animals caught were target species – four bull sharks, two tiger sharks and 18 big white sharks. Four dolphins were killed, 13 turtles were caught, and 11 gray nurses who were four killed were caught.

In 2023-24, 29 turtles were caught on nets. Last year, shark networks were released a month ago due to the increasing turtle activity in April; In March, the control of the networks was increased; More drone supervision was used to make discovery for turtles, and in February and March there was also the trial of lights to deter them turtles in 21 waxing turtles.

Moriarty said that all 51 networks would contain turtle lights this year.

Lawrence Chlebeck, a humane world marine biologist for animals, said that he was disappointed that networks were established on Monday because he would kill the wild life without making the beaches safer, but the hearing was relieved.

32 -year -old Shekhina Maher grew up on the northern beaches and now lives in Bronte, and almost every day, even in the winter when there is no network, she swims in the ocean. Whales and dolphins do not see, but there is never sharks.

“This is the area of ​​this shark – this is their kingdom, Ma Maher said. “It is very important to have the cycle of all animals in the ocean with Apex predators and such things. I am completely interested in balance.”