Over 90% of Marine Life Caught in NSW Shark Nets are Not the Targeted Species

In a recent revelation about the shark nets off New South Wales (NSW) beaches, data indicates a troubling trend in marine wildlife management. Over the summer, more than 90% of marine animals caught in these nets were not the intended targets. This has highlighted internal disagreements within the government over the continuation of this contentious program.

Source: Sky News/YouTube

Documents obtained under state access laws by Humane Society International show that of 208 non-target species trapped, more than half perished. Among the casualties were critically endangered species including five grey nurse sharks, four leatherback turtles, and one loggerhead turtle. These figures were released as the nets were removed after their seasonal deployment, which runs from September 1 to April 30 annually.

Interestingly, the nets intended to capture dangerous shark species snagged only 15 such targets, including three tiger sharks and 12 great white sharks. Of these, five were killed. Notably, no target shark species were captured at any of Sydney’s metropolitan beaches, raising questions about the efficacy and environmental impact of the nets.

The NSW shark meshing program, which covers 51 beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong, has been under scrutiny for its high bycatch ratio. Historical data shows that the bycatch to target catch ratio in recent years has been approximately 12:1. Despite the known risks to non-target species, the nets were deployed again last year even as discussions continued about their future.

A government spokesperson stated that efforts are ongoing to reassess the use of shark nets, with potential technological alternatives being explored that might enhance swimmer safety without the high environmental cost. Meanwhile, the environment minister has advocated for a phased removal of the nets, in cooperation with local councils, reflecting a shift towards more sustainable, ethical, and community-driven marine management strategies.

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