Time to End NSW Lethal Shark Nets

Shark nets are indiscriminate, outdated and ineffective. They have been installed at New South Wales beaches since the 1930s, killing hundreds of marine animals every year for nearly a century. They do not provide protection, but instead a false sense of security.

Send this letter to tell the NSW Government to ditch the nets for good and to continue investing in non-lethal alternatives. Let's end the slaughter of dolphins, turtles, sharks, and rays.

Dear Member,
	
I write to object to the NSW Government’s use of lethal shark nets. These death traps are catching and killing hundreds of marine animals every year and provide nothing more than a false sense of security to the public. 

The wanton destruction of Australia’s iconic marine wildlife for no public benefit has driven me to write to you asking that the nets not be reinstalled again in NSW.

These outdated nets have been used since the 1930s, but your own data shows that there have still been 34 unprovoked shark interactions at beaches with nets (NSW DPI). Furthermore, a 2012 study* found that 40% of sharks caught in shark nets were caught on the shore-side of the net.

I support the NSW Government’s investment and progress in developing non-lethal technologies in the Shark Management Strategy to mitigate the risk of shark bites. In particular, I support the use of drone technology, personal shark deterrents, alert systems and education as the main tools to reduce risk of shark bite. 

There is no place for these nets anymore. The cost of the nets is too high on our marine wildlife without any benefit to ocean users. 

I have seen the 2019/2020 shark net catch data, I am appalled, and I hope it’s the last set of data of its kind.

Additional Comments

 Yours sincerely,

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Contact Us:

Phone:	(02) 9973-1728
Email:	a ction@sharkchampions.org.au
Mail:	Humane Society International PO BOX 439 Avalon, NSW 2107

*Likely effectiveness of netting or other capture programs as a shark hazard mitigation strategy in Western Australia (2012) – Associate Professor Daryl McPhee, Bond University

Image: HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan