Increase in ‘non-target’ deaths
A total of 46 non-target animals were caught in shark nets on the Beaches from 1 September 2023 to 30 April 2024, an increase from 34 last season.
The data was supplied to Peninsula Living Pittwater (PL) by Lawrence Chlebeck, a marine biologist with Humane Society International Australia.
This year’s catch included 19 sting rays, 14 non-target sharks, six marine turtles, a tuna and three dolphins. Of these sea species, 46 per cent (21) were dead and 54 per cent (25) were released alive.
These figures include three critically endangered grey nurse sharks and four endangered leatherback turtles. Three target sharks were caught in the nets – compared to none in 2022/23. One was a dead tiger shark, and two white sharks were released alive.
Mr Chlebeck is a strong advocate for banning shark nets and hopes the State Government will stop using them as awareness grows about the dangers of the program.
“Every year, more people learn that (shark nets) are not keeping us safe and (are) costing precious marine wildlife,” Mr Chlebeck told PL. “But as time goes on, we’re continuously closer than we’ve ever been (to a ban).”
Shark nets have been used in NSW since 1937, with 15 erected on the Beaches during the summer season. Since 2013, 685 non-target animals have been trapped by nets, with just 50 per cent surviving.
Northern Beaches Council does not support the use of shark nets, as reported in PL in October 2023.
Mayor Sue Heins told PL at the time: “We support programs and technology that result in lower shark numbers to keep our beach users safe, while reducing non-target mortality.”
In addition to shark nets, there are 30 SMART drumlines in use along the Northern Beaches. Drumlines use bait to snare sharks which are then tagged and released.
Three listening stations located at Palm Beach, North Narrabeen and North Steyne pick up signals from these tagged sharks if they are in the area. The stations detected 52 white, bull and tiger sharks off the Northern Beaches 538 times in 2022/23.
There are also three Surf Life Saving drones that watch for sharks on Palm Beach, North Narrabeen and North Steyne.