Turtles, dolphins, rays die as shark nets miss target
The majority of sea animals caught in Australia’s largest shark network died and targeted species were only one of 10 people.
The NSW government has published an annual report that details the number of animals and species circulating by shark networks days after a deadly injury of a surfer on a beach.
Under the program, 51 networks are installed on the state beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong, each extends 150 meters and sitting under the surface.
Networks are established at the beginning of September and remain until after summer.
The government began to withdraw nets a month ago due to the increasing turtle activity in April.
Seven died of 13 turtles in Nets. Green turtles were the main species captured during the 2024/25 reporting period.
The program also tried the LED lights on the 21 network to deter them turtles, and the number was less than half of the previous period.
Only 24 of the 223 sea species captured by Nets are the targeted sharks, the remaining 199 non -target animals are slightly below 90 percent of the captured.
Only one -third of the captured, 74 animals were released live.
The release of the data came after 57 -year -old Mercury Psillakis was handled on Saturday at Long Reef Beach on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Before he was attacked, his other surfers warned his big shark.
Long reef is not clear, but the nearby dee beach.
Emir’s first deadly shark attack on North Beaches within ten years encouraged Premier Chris Minns to make an experiment to remove nets on three beaches that have not yet been identified.
“This would be a stupid decision to give it in the light of this tragedy.” He said.
There were 18 white sharks, four bull sharks and two tiger sharks among the 24 target sharks caught.
117 non -target sharks were caught, 48 caught smooth hammer shark was released live, while Nets 16 bronze whale sharks and 12 brunette whales caught.
Fifty -six rays were traveling, 16 of them are dying.
Four dolphins, threatened or protected species, died after getting caught in networks.
The government report has been dated since July, but Nets was not announced to the public until the next summer was reinstated and after the death of Mr. Plillalakis.
Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty was questioned about the delays that were allegedly published in a budget forecast in the hearing in the early September.
Queensland is the only state of shark nets as part of the management program used more than two dozens between Gold Coast and Mackay.
Western Australia uses solid “eco barriers” instead of network.
All three states are investigating and using alternative methods.
