Shark Nets in Australia are Inhumane and Heartless, EVERY SPECIES HAS A RIGHT TO LIVE!
December 02, 2009
Contractors inhumanely towing Black Tip Reef Sharks through the water after a terrible death in the Gold Coast shark nets. Photo: Graham Long
Recent news articles in Australia are down playing the hundreds of marine life caught in Shark Nets in 2009.
At what number of catch do the QLD government think that it is no longer acceptable to do this practice? Hundreds? thousands? until they are all gone? Then what will the government do?
Sharks are Beautiful
We are all on this planet together, when we kill our kin we in turn kill ourselves
Rays are important too; hundreds of rays are caught every year in the Shark Control Nets
Every species has a right to live
Open your heart, see sharks through new eyes; they are amazing!
Pic above right: Harmless Black Tip Reef sharks are victims of the Shark Nets in Australia. They are pulled dead from the nets and now are being towed by the QLD Govt contractors to dump the carcass out to sea.
Sign the petition right to remove the shark nets from Australian waters.
Sharks Nets In Australia – Wiping Out Vulnerable Marine Species
November 28, 2009
A 3.5m Great White Shark was caught and died in the shark nets off Sydney beach, at Bronte; on Saturday November 28, 2009.
Great whites are naturally curious and studies have proven that humans are not actually on the great white’s menu. Their main prey items include sea lions, seals, small toothed whales, sea turtles and carrion.
Scientists around the world agree that great white shark numbers are decreasing due to overfishing, fisheries by-catch, shark nets, shark finning and other factors. They are also listed as vulnerable species in NSW.
May the shark rest in peace and may no more suffer an uncalled for fate.
Please sign the petition right to remove these harmful nets.
Innocent Dugong Dies in Shark Nets in Sydney
November 25, 2009
Dugong, sea grass eating marine mammal. Reuters: stringer, file photo. Image Source: http://abc.net.au
Sea grass eating Dugongs are harmless marine mammals and are yet again victims of the shark nets. Like us humans, Dugongs require air to breathe and after getting tangled in the shark nets at Coogee Beach in Sydney (November 25, 2009) the Dugong could no longer surface for air to breathe and it drowned.
The unfortunate Dugong was approximately 2m long, so was not yet a full sized adult and still had many years in it’s 70 year life span remaining.
Usually Dugongs are found in sub-tropical to tropical waters but occasionally they do travel south and there have been a number of Dugongs caught within the NSW shark nets since there inception in 1937.
Get these shark nets removed, sign the petition (right).
6 Humpback Whales Caught in Gold Coast Shark Nets since September 09
November 07, 2009
Juvenile Humpback Whale gets caught in Shark Net off Mermaid Beach, 7th November 09. Photographer: Grahame Long/Sea World
A juvenile humpback whale about 4.5m long, was entangled in a Gold Coast shark net for hours off Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast on Saturday morning 7th November.
The young whale was caught by netting around one pectoral fin, this shows the vulnerability of the whales to entanglement as they move past the shark nets.
It is the sixth whale caught in Gold Coast nets this migration season.
Please sign petition right to help Remove the Shark Nets.
Gold Coast Councilor Pushes for Shark Net Ban on GC beaches
November 05, 2009
Five whales have been trapped in Gold Coast shark nets this migration season. (AAP Image/Seaworld : Grahame Long)
John Wayne, Gold Coast Councilor for Division 2 has called for a ban on the shark nets on Gold Coast beaches.
“In my opinion the by-catch that we get – the non-target species – isn’t worth the damage that we cause.”
Councillor Wayne says the nets kill dozens of dolphins, rays, and turtles.
“They get caught in the net and drown or get caught on the hooks and drown,” he said. “It is a terrible waste.”
For the full story click here http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/05/2734040.htm
Information source www.abc.net.au
1000 Signatures… We need more!
November 04, 2009
Humpback Whale Caught at Miami Beach in Shark Nets, September 09. Photographer: Grahame Long/Sea World
We currently have gathered about 1000 signatures, but WE NEED MORE!
The government will listen to the public voice, we are aiming for 500,000 signatures.
Please help us attain our goal to show the Australian NSW and QLD governments that we do not need the shark nets in Australian waters.
Are you a proud Australian?
Are you proud that marine life die everyday so that we can go swimming, surfing etc?
Come on Aussies, we don’t put nets in the bush to protect us from snakes… get these Shark Nets Removed!
Channel Ten’s 7PM Project Reports on Shark Nets
Oct 19, 2009
7PM Project James Mathison’s Report on Shark Nets, Oct 19, 2009
10m Humpback Whale Caught in Gold Coast Shark Net September 09. Photographer: Grahame Long/Sea World
What are your views on this issue?
Personally I think that the Shark Control Program Managers role and should be reviewed immediately. This position of authority gives permission for killing wildlife to protect beach users; this role needs urgent review and attention.
Sign the petition right to show your support for the removal of the shark nets.
1 Humpback Whale Caught Every 10 Days!
October 13, 2009
The 5th Humpback Caught in Gold Coast Shark Nets since September. Image Courtesy of www.goldcoast.com.au: Grahame Long/Sea World
Another Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) was caught off Burleigh in a Shark Net off the Gold Coast on October 13, 2009. Since September 2009, this is an average of 1 humpback whale caught every 10 days.
That’s 5 humpback whales caught in Gold Coast Shark Nets since early September.
The entangled Humpback Whale calf was accompanied by a number of mature Humpback whales who were clearly distressed, particularly the mother who was displaying thrashing motions.
As humpback whale populations increase these shark nets are clearly a major threat to the survival of individual species that get caught in the nets. There are no studies that follow the movements of whales once they have been released, lesions from the nets can get infected and cause the whales to die on their migration.
Humpback Whale Trapped in Gold Coast Shark Net 2009. Photographer: Grahame Long/Sea World
Come on Gold Coast residents, lets act now! Lets show Tony Ham, QLD Dept of Primary Industries and Fisheries Shark Control Manager, the Qld Premiere and the Minister for Environment that we do not need the shark nets to protect us at the beach. We believe SA, WA, VIC and NT employ better strategies to monitor beaches (aerial surveys) – there are no shark nets or baited drumlines in any of these states.
There should be a NO HARM and NO KILL policy to protect humans, we live with nature on this planet.
Send a letter to the govt, school kids make a poster and send it to the govt… we can make a difference.
Kirra Surfstock Festival Nov 8, 2009. We will be there and very happy to meet people who want to get involved to see the shark nets removed.
Sign petition right to show your support.
Dolphin Dies in Shark Nets at Freshwater Beach, Sydney NSW
October 10, 2009
Dolphin Floating Dead After Shark Net Entanglement at Freshwater Beach, Sydney, NSW. 10 October 2009. Image courtesy of Ecodivers.
An innocent dolphin was found caught in the Shark Nets at Freshwater Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the dolphin was found floating dead and entangled in the indiscriminate net on October 10, 2009.
Why is marine life suffering because of human fears? There should be a NO KILL policy in the aim to protect beach users.
ABANDON YOUR FEARS! If we do nothing we are responsible for the death of this dolphin. We must act now to remove the nets.
For more information on how you can get involved to remove the shark nets contact us
Join the Remove Shark Nets Cause on Facebook
2.3m White Shark is beached on the Gold Coast on dislogded drum line; October 2008. Photo: Luke Sorensen.
Do you want to voice your opinion about the shark nets? Get onto Facebook, join the Remove Shark Nets cause and share your stories, photos and videos.
Lets get these nets removed.
Why do humans think that we are better than all the other species on this planet?
Every species has a right to live.
Shark Meshing: Saving Swimmers or Hurting Wildlife?
Humpback Whale Entanglement in Shark Net Viewed from Underwater. Photographer: Grahame Long/Sea World
Associate Professor Clyde Wild the Dean (Academic) of Griffith University’s Science, Environment, Engineering & Technology group has written this insightful news report for Griffith News Now.
Excerpt from Griffith News Now Story:
“Of course, no action on the scale of meshing beaches is without unplanned effects, and, in addition to catching a couple of hundred sharks each year, the Gold Coast shark meshing program also catches a few whales and dugong, a dozen or so dolphins and sea turtles, and a lot of other medium-sized sea creatures such as rays and larger fish. A small number of endangered sharks such as grey nurse are caught, and even an occasional great white. Most of these creatures are killed in the process. This is a real cost to our marine environment, and it ought to have real benefits to be justified”.
3rd Humpback Whale Caught in Gold Coast Shark Nets in a Month
October 03, 2009
Humpback Whale Entangled in Shark Net Gold Coast, September 2009. Photographer: Grahame Long/Sea World
Two out of the three Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) have been caught in the Kirra, Gold Coast Shark Nets; with the most recent entanglement occurring on Saturday morning 03 October 2009.
The victim of entanglement in the Shark Net was a month-old humpback whale calf, approximately 5-6m long; it was migrating south to Antarctica with its mother. The baby humpback was caught for hours and the mother and calf were both very distressed displaying large amounts of thrashing in the water.
The Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has recently invested millions of dollars to bring back Kirra reef, which is enticing marine life to the area where there are shark nets present. So it would only be responsible to remove the nets and invest in better bather protection strategies that do not harm marine life.
We Need Your Petition Signature!
Humpback Whale entangled in Gold Coast Shark Net, 2009. Photographer: Grahame Long/Sea World
This campaign to Remove Shark Nets from Australian beaches is largely built around gathering large numbers of support from locals, visitors or those passionate about protecting marine life from the outdated use of shark nets.
If you think that the Shark Nets are not needed any more in Australian beaches, please sign the petition.
If you think that it is time to stop killing marine life on a daily basis, please sign the petition.
If you are an Australian who prides themselves on living in a naturally amazing country, then protect the beautiful life that makes it so, please sign the petition.
Remember this: Once people feared whales, they were called monsters of the sea and were killed at an instance if seen. It is possible that we can change our perceptions on sharks. Sharks are beautiful, they should be treasured and admired for eternity.
Kirra Surf Stock Festival
White shark Has NO INTEREST in swimmers and surfers at Byron Bay. Photo: Glenn Hampson
Come and meet the Remove Shark Nets team, we will be at the Surfrider Foundation tent at the Kirra Surf Stock Festival on Sunday, 8 November 2009.
Come along to sign the petition to Remove Shark Nets from Australian Beaches... see how you can get involved, get information about shark nets.
Date: Sunday 8th November 2009
Place: Kirra Beach, Gold Coast QLD
Time: 9am – 5pm
What are Shark Nets and Drum-Lines?
Exposing a Section of a Gold Coast Shark Net, 2009. Photographer: Grahame Long/Sea World
The nets employed in the Shark Control Programs do not stretch across the entire length of the selected beach, nor do they extend from the sea floor to the water’s surface, they only act as an obstruction to the shark’s path when they enter beaches.
Click Here for Shark Net Image
The nets are attached to buoys and anchors at each end, in Queensland they are 186m long and 6m deep with a mesh size of 500mm; the large mesh nets target sharks with a length of 2m or more.
The nets are placed offshore and run along the shoreline.
The drum-lines (only used in QLD) have a large hook that hangs from a chain that falls from the buoy and is freshly baited with mullet or shark. This attracts feeding sharks - the Irony!
Click Here for Shark Drum-line Image
The Shark Control Program employs independent contractors to maintain the nets and drum-lines approximately once every 2nd day depending on weather conditions.
Images Courtesy of QLD DPI&F.
Transparentsea 700 km Voyage for Marine Life
“Transparentsea”, the odyssey is an initiative of professional surfer Dave Rastovich, an environmental crusader who is joined on his quest by Californian surfer and artist Chris Del Moro (San Diego, CA, USA), Musician Will Conner (AUS), Photographer Hilton Dawe (Byron Bay, NSW, AUS) and Surfrider Foundation’s Kristy Theissling (Coolangatta, QLD, AUS).
Transparentsea Voyage - Dave Rastovich and Crew, Byron Bay September 2009. Image by Grambeau.
Paddling single-seat “trimaran” sea kayaks, the participants will use only the wind and the waves to assist them on their journey, as they trace the migration paths of the whales destined for the Southern Ocean.
During their frequent stops along the East Coast, the team will also engage local communities to assist in beach clean-ups, as well as highlighting and recording other areas of environmental concern including the effects of the commercial fishing industry on marine mammals and fish stocks; run-off issues to do with agricultural, domestic and industrial human activities; the shark nets and the state of rivers and estuaries.
For more info visit http://transparentseavoyage.com/
Source: http://transparentseavoyage.com/
Another Distressed Humpback Whale Caught in the Gold Coast Shark Nets – 2nd Whale Entanglement in September 09
September 27, 2009
Humpback Whale Severly Entangled off Miami, Gold Coast Sept 09. Photo by Grahame Long/ Sea World
In a shark net [186m (l) x 6m (w)] at Miami beach on Queensland’s Gold Coast a 9m (sub-adult) humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) was caught and entangled.
This is the second entanglement of a humpback whale in the Gold Coast shark nets in the month of September.
It was spotted early in the morning by a local surfer, therefore it may be possible that it was entangled over night.
It wasn’t until after mid morning that the humpback whale was released from the shark net.
Humpback Whale Entangled in Shark Nets off Miami, Gold Coast, Sept 09. Photo by Grahame Long/ Sea World.
The humpback was clearly distressed displaying extreme thrashing motions with the tail and body lunging out of the water.
The whale’s tail, pectoral fin and head had the net tightly twisted around it. The whales tail was bleeding after trying to free itself from the net.
This is a call for all Gold Coast, QLD and Australian residents, and all toursits that have come to Australia or plan to visit this country, or anyone concerned about this issue to sign this petition (right) and help get these shark nets removed.
Lets choose a more humane and sustainable method of beach protection (such as education campaigns to residents and tourists, and aerial monitoring).
Why are Sharks Important?
Sharks play an important role in the oceans food webs (as top predators) if sharks are removed effects will be felt down the food web and could cause harm to other species survival.
Fossil records show that sharks are about 100 million years older than dinosaurs; they are therefore more than 400 million years old.
Sharks are Important for Marine Ecology
In recent years sharks have become threatened by:
- Overfishing
- NEGATIVE MEDIA ATTENTION
- Shark finning
- Capture for the aquarium trade
- Shark Net programs
- Polluted habitats
- Reduced food supply
The worldwide fall in shark populations has been recognised by the United Nations who developed the ‘International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks’ (IPOA-Sharks) in 1999. Australia also produced its own plan in 2004, the ‘National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (Shark-Plan)’ (NPOA-Sharks).
Why are People Afraid of Sharks?
Public perceptions of sharks have been generally filled with fear, through the media sharks have received unfavourable attention through dramatic movies, books and news stories. Sharks are often portrayed as ferocious predators that are on the prowl for human flesh, which is clearly NOT true.
Contrary to popular belief human beings are NOT in the diet plan for sharks.
Most shark species (class Chondrichthyes, sub-class Elasmobranchii) are harmless to humans; Port Jackson sharks (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) feed on urchins, and the two largest sharks in world whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) feed on plankton.
Sharks like all species have a right to live.
June 6-11, 2010 – Sharks International Conference, Cairns QLD, Australia
Key note speaker: Geremy Cliff (KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga, South Africa)
Sharks International Conference Cairns, QLD Australia, June 6-11, 2010
The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board are responsible for the destructive practice of installing shark nets for “bather protection” in South Africa. Harmless sharks, turtles, dolphins, and rays die each year by entanglement in the approximately 28 km of nets off South African beaches.
If you live in Cairns or are visiting Cairns in June 2010, voice your concern about the Shark netting program – see you there! The Rydges Esplanade, Cairns.
The Queensland Great Barrier Reef Region Shark Net Toll – “Protecting” Tourists, Killing Locals
The following were caught in shark nets in the Great Barrier Reef region since the introduction of the QLD Shark Control Program in the late 1960s to the mid 1990’s.
- 2140 turtles
- 552 dugongs
- 216 dolphins
During this period it is estimated that only 7 percent of dugongs, and 10 percent of dolphins, were released alive.
Source: CRC Reef Research
Gold Coast, QLD, Australia; Catch Data in Shark Nets 2000-2008
Open attachment below to have a look at what was recorded as By Catch in the shark nets on Gold Coast beaches from 2000-2008. There is no reason to be catching and killing these species.
Hammerhead Shark gets caught in Gold Coast Shark Control Equipment, Dec 2008. Photo: Nine News
Gold Coast By-catch 2000 to 2008 (pdf)
Open attachment below to have a look at what was recorded as Shark Catches in the shark nets on Gold Coast beaches from 2000-2008. There is no reason to be catching and killing these species.
Gold Coast Shark Catch 2000 to 2008 (pdf)
Note: This data is recorded by the contractors who clear the nets for Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries.
NSW Shark Nets Are Back – Set to Catch and Kill
September, 2009
In early September 2009 the Shark nets (51 of them) were placed in NSW waters from Woollongong to Newcastle. They will remain in place until the end of April.
Endangered Grey Nurse Shark Threatened by Shark Nets. Pic Courtesy of NSW DPI, © David Harasti
This means:
51 nets x 900m2 net area = 45, 900m2 of netting was placed in Sydney and Central Coast waters to catch and kill sharks
The shark nets do not act as a complete barrier, they do not extend the whole length of the beach, nor from the water surface to the seabed.
Catch data shows that almost half of shark net catches are on the beach side of the nets.
Sharks swim over and around the nets.
Why are Shark Nets placed in Australian Waters?
To supposedly calm fears of people who believe the media hype about sharks – these fears are costing the lives of innocent marine life.
What does that mean?
Peoples fears are condoning the killing of sharks and other innocent species such as dolphins, rays, whales, fish and dugongs.
What can you to get the nets removed?
- Sign the petition on this website
- Learn more about sharks – Abandon Your Fear!
- Watch the movies Sharkwater and The Cove
The Victims
Endangered species Grey Nurse Sharks (Carcharias taurus), Dugongs (Dugong dugon) and Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta).
Vulnerable species Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), Green turtles (Chelonia mydas), Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Australian fur-seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus).
Humpback whales are still migrating down the coast, lets hope that they don’t fall victim to the NSW Shark Meshing Program.
The Irony
The NSW Department of Primary Industries have listed the Shark meshing program in New South Wales waters as a KEY THREATENING PROCESS; therefore it is recognised as a process that the Fisheries Scientific Committee determined adversely affects threatened species, populations or ecological communities or could cause species, populations or ecological communities that are not threatened to become threatened (NSW DPI 2005).
However it is the NSW Department of Primary Industries that continue to deploy the nets each year.
Stop the Entanglement of Humpback Whales (and other marine life) in Australian Shark Nets – Humpback Whale Gets Caught in Gold Coast Shark Nets September 2009
September 01, 2009
On September 01, 2009 a juvenile humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) was found entangled in shark nets off the Kirra coastline, Gold Coast QLD, Australia.
For video footage click here
Juvenile Humpback Whale Struggling in Shark Net at Kirra. Pic Courtesy of Channel Nine
DPI&F (Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries) should not be seen as the rescue team who freed the whale, they are the ones who put the nets out there and caught the whale in the first place. They are setting the traps, they are supporting the capture of marine life.
Here is a different view to what you may have read in the media.
The capture of the humpback whale within the shark nets at Kirra on 01 September, 2009 may have inflicted unnecessary stress upon the whale including:
1) Stress and anxiety at the initial entanglement stage
2) The juvenile humpback whale in the shark net at Kirra would be struggling to get out of the shark net, but unfortunately this causes more entanglement.
3) Whales are mammals, therefore they need air to breathe so there would be extra pressure (with the weight and drag of the shark net and buoys) on the humpback whale (caught in the net at Kirra, Gold Coast) to maintain regular surface breathing and diving actions.
4) Separating from the pod would have been a very stressful and upsetting time for the humpback whale. The mother to calf relationship in humpback whales is similar to that of humans, where the mother and the young humpback whale are closely together most of the time. The calf is often reliant on the mother at this stage for protection, food, sense of direction and communication.
5) The stress would have been at high levels for the humpback whale when DPI&F disentangled the humpback whale from the shark net.
6) The humpback whale that was entangled had an adult nearby, this adult was also experiencing high levels of stress.
The issue here is – this humpback whale should never have been caught; the shark nets are not required on Australian beaches.
We all enter the ocean aware of the inherent risks, as we do when we get in our cars.
SAVE MARINE LIFE – ALL OF MARINE LIFE! REMOVE THE SHARK NETS FROM AUSTRALIAN WATERS!
Each year the following number of people are killed by:
Starvation 8,000,000
Road Accidents 1,200,000
Illegal Drugs 22,000
Execution 2,400
Elephants and tigers 100
Sharks 5
DON’T LET THE OCEAN PAY FOR OUR FEAR….
REMOVE SHARK NETS….
COME ON AUSTRALIA THIS IS A NATURE LOVING, NOT A NATURE HARMING NATION!
Shark Nets Threaten Rare Australian Snub-fin Dolphin
June 22, 2009
Queensland's Snubfin Dolphin Surfaces for Air. Pic Courtesy of Guido Parra.
The Snubfin dolphin Orcaella heinsohni (recently recognised species) lives on the QLD coast and has a small population of only about 100 left. This population is an inshore coastal species preferring shallow waters, and is suffering from capture within nets - both gill nets and shark nets. As a marine mammal this species must (like us) breathe air to survive, unfortunately the net entanglement does not allow the dolphin to surface for air so it falls victim to the Shark Control Program. This species was only recognised about 3 years ago – how long does it have left?
For more information about the unique Snubfin dolphin visit the QLD EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) here
School Visit to Coomera Anglican College
June 12, 2009
We went to Coomera Anglican College on the Gold Coast to share with a Year 10 Biology class information about the Shark Nets and the effects of having nets within the ocean. This section is for the Year 10 students, family and friends to upload some comments to this website (click on Comment tag below).
If you have photos, video footage or if you would like to have your poster/ powerpoint assignment about the Shark Nets shared online simply send it to info@removesharknets.com and we will upload it for you!
World Environment Day 2009 – Remove Shark Nets Australia
June 8, 2009
Remove Shark Nets at World Environment Festival, Currumbin, Gold Coast Australia.
Thanks to all the supporters who signed the “Remove Shark Nets” petition at the World Environment Day festival at Winders Park, Currumbin, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia – Sunday 7th June from 10am-5pm.
Despite the wet start we gathered over 160 signatures and educated many people about the impacts of the Shark Nets on many marine mammals particularly dolphins and also the catch of sharks that pose no direct threat to humans.
We met many locals and visitors who were supporting the Removal of the Shark Nets as they had seen first hand some of the harm that has been caused to marine life.
At www.removesharknets.com we hope to have more factual information available for you soon where you can learn about the strategy used (is it effective?) to protect beach users from incidental encounters with sharks. And if you want to find out more then simply contact info@removesharknets.com and we will help you out as much as we can!
We were happy to meet many young school students who have done school projects on Shark Nets, we will endeavor to put resources online for schools so that all teachers and children can have some resources and facts about the shark nets.
Stay tuned for more events where you can find our petition stall!
Focus on Removing Australian Shark Nets
Port Jackson Shark Caught in Sydney Shark Net. Pic Courtesy of Humane Society International Australia.
For over 70 years shark nets in NSW and QLD, Australia have been catching sharks, dolphins, whales, rays, turtles, dugongs and fish and as a result many die. This happens 24 hours a day while the nets are in operation – this is the largest fishing effort ever made on any species.
Shark nets operate in the Shark Control Program in the state of Queensland (QLD) since 1962, and in the Shark Meshing Program in New South Wales (NSW) since 1937 to protect swimmers from unlikely incidents with sharks. The other states South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA), Victoria (VIC) and the Northern Territory (NT) effectively use aerial and beach monitoring; while the public practice safe swimming habits see Surf Life Saving Australia Fact Sheet .
In QLD from 1985 – 2008 (23 years) 28,830 Sharks were caught and subsequently died within the shark control program see QLD Dept of Primary Industries and Fisheries for a full report on the entire catch of sharks across the state. To see the scope of the species caught click here. Please note that there is more tables below these see CSV files and not all species have been recorded so this number is a minimum value.
If sharks are found alive within the equipment then they are often euthanised to further protect beach users.
QLD use a mix of drum-lines (more species selective) and nets (highly unselective), however NSW only use nets.
Despite the fact that NSW has a pulse fishing operation (shark nets are in place from September to April (inclusive) there is evidence of strong declines in shark catch populations in NSW as well as QLD – are Shark species dying off faster than we realise?
Sign the petition here (see left) to get governments to act on the removal of these nets.