<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/30/more-than-90-of-marine-animals-caught-in-nsw-shark-nets-over-summer-were-non-target-species>
"More than 90% of marine animals caught in shark nets off New South Wales
beaches over the summer were non-target species, with new documents revealing
division within the government over the controversial program.
More than half of the 208 non-target species – such as turtles, dolphins and
smaller sharks – that were caught in the nets over the past eight months were
killed, data obtained by conservationists show.
The 134 dead animals included five critically endangered grey nurse sharks,
four endangered leatherback turtles and an endangered loggerhead turtle,
according to the figures released on Tuesday as the nets were removed for
another year.
The data, obtained by Humane Society International under the state’s
information access laws, show that of the total non-target animals caught, only
74 animals or 36% were released alive.
There were 15 target animals caught; three tiger sharks and 12 great white
sharks, with five of these killed. The conservation group said no target shark
species were caught at any of Sydney’s metropolitan beaches.
Under NSW’s shark meshing program, nets are installed at 51 beaches between
Newcastle and Wollongong from 1 September to 30 April every year.
Before the nets were installed last year, the department of primary industries
(DPI) advised the agriculture minister, Tara Moriarty, that the nature of the
nets used meant the catch of non-target species was “unavoidable”.
Briefing documents prepared by the department for Moriarty, seen by
Guardian
Australia, also show the shark nets are considered a “key threatening process”
because of how many non-target species, or “bycatch”, are affected.
“The catch in the shark meshing program has always and continues to be
dominated by non-target animals. The average ratio of bycatch to the catch of
target sharks … in recent years has been approximately 12:1,” one of the briefs
said.
The nets were rolled out last year despite the government saying it would wait
until it received feedback from eight coastal councils before making a
decision."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
