Shortened shark net season still puts endangered grey nurse sharks at extinction risk   

The Humane Society International (HSI) and Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS)  have advised that new shark net data released today shows shortened shark net season will still put NSW grey nurse sharks at extinction risk.

The figures released on Saturday show that of the 255 marine animals caught in NSW shark nets during the 2023/24 season, only 15 were those targeted: great white, tiger, or bull sharks.

Sixty-five of the marine animals caught—nearly one-quarter—were threatened or Critically Endangered species and are protected under threatened species laws.

Other frequently caught species include turtles, rays, and dolphins.

The full annual shark net catch statistics, released at the weekend by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), show continuation of the NSW Shark Meshing Program risks driving NSW’s grey nurse sharks closer to extinction.

Last week's announcement by NSW Fisheries Minister Tara Moriarty to shorten the shark meshing program period by one month is welcomed but will still push the Critically Endangered grey nurse shark towards extinction, says Humane Society International (HSI) Australia and the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS).

Lawrence Chlebeck, marine biologist with HSI Australia notes “Grey nurse sharks are Critically Endangered and tragically facing extinction on the east coast of Australia. The data released today shows 14 grey nurse sharks were caught off ocean beaches in Lake Macquarie, Central Coast, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs, Sutherland, and Wollongong. All but three of these animals were caught between September and March.

“Distressingly, 84% of the grey nurse sharks caught in the nets since 2012 were breeding-age female sharks.”

HSI has obtained images of large breeding females caught and killed in the nets through freedom of information.

Chlebeck added “By law the Government is charged with protecting and recovering the species, but the Government’s own program is knowingly removing significant numbers from the breeding female population, and it has to stop.”

Last week, Minister Moriarty indicated the Government will consult with local councils on the future of shark nets on their local beaches.

“We are pleased the Government is willing to listen to local government views on the shark nets. Local councils have already spoken, and they overwhelmingly want the nets out. We ask the Government not to delay acting on their wishes,” Chlebeck added.

“We understand that sharks, by their very nature, evoke fear. But we cannot allow that fear to drive public safety policy, and certainly not when it means hundreds of marine animals—many threatened and Critically Endangered like grey nurse sharks—will be killed. It is time to prioritise modern technology over fear-based strategies from the 1930s,” he said.

“There should be trials of net-free beaches this summer. To save the grey nurse shark, which is Critically Endangered and poses no threat to humans, the Minns Government needs to stop procrastinating.”

Dr Leonardo Guida, shark scientist with AMCS advised “the use of shark nets are redundant when for nearly a decade, successive NSW Governments have been using modern, evidence-based solutions including drones, community education programs, and the tagging and tracking of sharks.

“The NSW Government still has the opportunity to retire the nets for good, and fully transition NSW beach safety to the modern era for the benefit of bathers and wildlife alike.”

Humane Society International (HSI) is the world’s largest animal protection organisation and HSI Australia established its office in 1994. They work to create a humane and sustainable world for animals advocating across wildlife conservation and animal welfare policy areas.  

Image. Three dead Critically Endangered grey nurse sharks drowned in NSW sharks nets. Image accessed by HSI Australia and AMCS via FOI.