<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/sep/02/shark-nets-removal-call-nsw>
"Experts, marine conservation groups and an MP are urging the New South Wales
government to ban anti-shark nets, which kill large numbers of turtles and
dolphins, after 51 nets were installed along the state’s coastline.
Last summer more than 90% of marine animals caught in shark nets were not
sharks, while more than half of the 208 non-target species caught – such as
turtles, dolphins and smaller sharks – were killed, data showed.
An Australian Marine Conservation Society shark scientist, Leonardo Guida, said
the nets, which are installed from Newcastle to Wollongong, were “redundant”
because there were more effective and less lethal options available for keeping
sharks away from swimmers and surfers.
“The government literally has solutions in their hands – technologies such as
drone surveillance, personal shark deterrents and their leading SharkSmart
education program are improving safety without harming marine life,” he said.
The Animal justice party MP Emma Hurst said hundreds of sharks, dolphins,
stingrays and turtles became entangled in the nets every year, costing
taxpayers millions of dollars and creating a false sense of security for
beachgoers.
“We know they don’t work,” she said. “We know that sharks can swim under them
or around them.”
The shark nets were installed at beaches under the state’s management program
and will remain in place until 31 March. The NSW government had already brought
the end date forward by a month in response to concerns about turtle activity
in April.
Announcing the government’s shark management approach on 31 July, the state
agriculture minister, Tara Moriarty, said: “The NSW government’s priority is
the safety of beachgoers, at the same time we are committed to protecting our
state’s marine life.”"
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
