The idyllic beaches of Maroubra, along with other Sydney shorelines, are at the centre of a heated debate over the use of shark nets. The recent release of alarming data has intensified calls for removing these nets, revealing that over 90% of marine animals caught in them over the summer were non-target species.
According to the Humane Society International (HSI) Australia, 208 non-target wildlife were trapped, and 134 were found dead in shark nets in NSW waters over the summer, including critically endangered grey nurse sharks, endangered leatherback turtles, and an endangered loggerhead turtle. This has sparked outrage among environmentalists and coastal communities, who argue that these nets are indiscriminate killers, causing more harm than good.
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Premier Chris Minns faces mounting pressure to address the issue. He finds himself in a dilemma, caught between protecting marine life and ensuring the safety of beachgoers. While he has expressed his desire to eliminate shark nets eventually, he maintains that they will remain in place until a viable alternative is found.
The government is investing in SMART drum lines, listening stations, and drones as potential replacements.
While Minns has expressed his desire to eliminate shark nets eventually, he maintains that they will remain in place until a viable alternative is found. The government is investing in SMART drum lines, listening stations, and drones as potential replacements. Marine biologists and environmentalists have pushed for these alternatives, claiming they are significantly more effective at lowering the risk of shark bites while minimising harm to aquatic life.
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As a compromise, the government has announced that shark nets will be removed a month earlier than usual this year. Additionally, local councils will have a more significant say in the future use of shark nets. Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty suggests that councils could bypass nets altogether if they develop their own “local safety arrangements.”
The specifics of these arrangements remain unclear, but Moriarty emphasised that councils would need to share responsibility for ensuring public safety. Sydney’s beaches are a significant tourist attraction, and government data indicates that increased shark attacks could significantly impact tourism. However, the recent data on non-target species caught in shark nets has raised questions about this method’s effectiveness and ethical implications.
Minns faces the challenge of balancing turtle conservation with swimmer safety. In his efforts to protect one, he cannot afford to jeopardise the other. The debate over shark netting continues, with both sides advocating for their priorities. The release of the bycatch data has added a new dimension to this debate, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution that protects human life and marine biodiversity.
Published Date 02-August-2024
