The Minns Labor government is ignoring science, evidence-based research and the community by putting shark nets back in our beaches. 

Shark nets do not keep people safe and they kill marine life.

Why do we want nets out:

🌊 Ineffectiveness: Shark nets have repeatedly proven ineffective at keeping swimmers safe from shark encounters. Research shows that they offer a false sense of security, as many species can easily pass through or around them. More than half the sharks caught in nets were on the beachside. Drones, patrolled beaches, swimmer education are proven effective strategies. 

🌏 Environmental Impact: These nets trap and kill countless non-target species, such as dolphins, turtles, and rays, leading to devastating consequences for our delicate marine ecosystems. 26% of animals caught in the 2022/2023 season were species classified as either threatened or protected marine animals under Australian laws.

🦈 Cruelty: All animals caught in these nets suffer greatly. More than half (63%) of all animals caught died as a result of the entanglement. They die slowly and painfully as they struggle to free themselves. 100% of dolphins caught in the nets died and 50% of entangled turtles died. 

 New figures published on the 2022/23 shark net program show that of the 228 animals ensnared at NSW beaches, just 24 were target sharks while the remaining 204 animals were non-target species. The 204 non-target species comprised 120 smaller sharks including the critically endangered grey nurse shark, 58 rays, 14 turtles, 10 mammals (eight dolphins and two seals) and two finfish.

To: Tara Moriarty, Minister for Agriculture
From: [Your Name]

Premier Minns, you have the power to ban shark nets and invest in effective and humane shark deterrents that protect people and marine life.

In 2020, almost 60% of the animals caught in shark nets died! Even the 40% released alive are not guaranteed survival – injuries from their period of entanglement can cause death soon after. Of the 480 animals trapped that season, only 50 were targeted sharks. How many more baby whales and dolphins can we stand to let die slowly in them?

A 2012 study by Bond University found that 40% of sharks were caught on the beachside of shark nets. "The nets have never been a barrier to sharks," their researcher said.

Shark nets  are cruel, indiscriminate and they don’t work. This carnage is not worth a false sense of security!

So what do we want? Leave our marine life alone – no more lethal or harmful interventions. No more shark nets!

We call on the government to invest in effective and cruelty-free alternatives that protect people and do not harm marine life:
• shark listening stations;
• personal shark deterrents;
• drone surveillance;
• helicopter surveillance;
• investment in beach patrol and emergency medical response (proven to reduce the incidence of shark bites and lethality)
• eco shark barriers (developed in Perth) being trialled in three WA beaches have reported success – these are rigid barriers with smaller holes that do not trap marine life,
• and education.