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Our oceans are teeming with life, and we must find better ways to coexist with its inhabitants. Join this group to campaign against the use of shark nets, which kills hudreds of turtles, whales, sting rays, dolphins seals and endangered species like grey nurse sharks. They are archaic, out dated and they do not work. This group will be campaigning to end shark nets and implement safe and effective alternatives.
Nets Out Working Group
Group Status: Active
Shark nets are currently deployed at 51 beaches in NSW. They do not form a barrier and do not prevent shark encounters. Sharks can and do swim over, under, and around them.
What shark nets do reliably cause is harm to marine life. Each season, the majority of animals caught are non-target species, including dolphins, turtles, rays, and threatened sharks. Many animals caught in nets suffer prolonged distress and die as a result of entanglement.
Despite clear scientific evidence and strong community opposition, the NSW Government continues to rely on this outdated and harmful approach rather than scaling up proven non-lethal alternatives.
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What this working group does
The Shark Nets Out Now working group campaigns to permanently end the use of shark nets in NSW. The group focuses on:
• supporting legislative reform to ban shark nets statewide
• supporting our MP Emma Hurst’s work in Parliament
• community education and public awareness
• council and community engagement
• research, submissions, and accountability
The group advocates for modern, science-based, non-lethal approaches that protect both people and marine life.
This working group meets online, usually once a month. Meetings are used to share updates, discuss priorities, and plan next steps for the campaign. You do not need to be based in a particular location to take part.
How to get involved
This is an active working group.
To join, email [email protected] and include:
• Shark Nets Out Now
• Your name and email address
• If you would like, you can also mention how you might like to be involved.
Supporters can contribute in different ways depending on time and skills, including research, submissions, outreach and campaign support.
Campaign achievements and highlights
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• More than 4,000 people signed the Ban Killer Shark Nets in NSW petition calling for a legislated end to the Shark Meshing Program.
• Supporters sent over 400 emails to the Minister for Agriculture through coordinated email actions opposing the reinstallation of shark nets.
• Working group members and regional volunteers conducted outreach at beaches across NSW, including Manly, Terrigal, Merewether, Cronulla, Coogee, and the Central Coast, speaking directly with beachgoers and collecting signatures.
• Community outreach resulted in over 300 hand-signed letters being delivered to Parliament and passed on to Premier Chris Minns, calling for immediate action to ban shark nets.
• Emma Hurst MP raised shark nets in Parliament and supported motions calling for their removal, helping keep the issue on the public and parliamentary record.
• Six NSW coastal councils formally voted against shark nets, reflecting growing community and local government opposition.
The working group continues to build public pressure for a future where beach safety relies on effective, humane, science-backed solutions rather than lethal nets.
Take Action
Sign our petition
