Shark nets will remain on dozens of NSW beaches this summer despite protests from environmental groups.
The Minns government confirmed on Monday that the Shark Management Program will be kept in its “current form” for the swimming season of 2023/24, including controversial shark nets.
Sea life activists and some local councils have been calling on the state government to outlaw the nets.
New data from the NSW Department of Primary Industries found that last summer, a small fraction of animals caught in the nets were target sharks.
Just 24 of the 228 species caught in shark nets on NSW beaches were target sharks, meaning that 204 non-target species such as turtles, rays, dolphins and small sharks were also trapped and killed.
In Sydney, the shark nets were also found to have not caught any bull, tiger or white sharks.
Nets are in place at 51 beaches across eight local government areas between Newcastle and Wollongong from September to April each year.
Also in place are 305 SMART drumlines, 37 tagged shark listening stations and surveillance drone patrols at50 beaches.
The NSW government is continuing to “assess options” for alternatives in the future, according to Agricultural Minister Tara Moriarty.
“Nets are only set from September to April to avoid the majority of the whale migration season and are fitted with acoustic devices designed to deter marine mammals from interacting with them,” she said.
“The NSW government will continue to listen to coastal councils and their communities to ensure that local preferences are balanced against effective, evidence-based shark mitigation for beachgoers.”
Waverly Council, which encompasses Bondi and Bronte beaches, resolved in August last year that it does not support shark meshing
“The safety of our beach goers, swimmers and surfers is paramount, and we will work with the department to introduce modern shark mitigation strategies that will also ensure the confidence of beach goers,” a council spokesperson said.
“These mitigations strategies need to be in place before nets are removed as there is more to the process than simply just removing the nets.”
There are better alternatives to shark nets according to Humane Society International Australia marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck, such as SMART drum lines, alert systems and drones, which are already in place.
“These figures tell the same tragic story every year when the NSW shark net data is revealed, and it’s why coastal councils and residents are fed up with the nets,” he said.
“Shark nets don’t discriminate. This season, 100 per cent of dolphins and 50 per cent of turtles caught in the nets were killed.”