Shark nets rolled out at attack hot spot
Shark nets will be rolled out on the beaches around Ballina this weekendLegislation passed through NSW Parliament this week, and with bipartisan support, to expedite a trial of shark nets on five NSW North Coast beaches.
"Passing this legislation is an important step towards getting the shark net trial in place on the North Coast by the summer school holidays, by streamlining the approvals process, which is currently spread across various Acts," Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, said.
The NSW Government has applied to the Commonwealth for exemption for the trial from Federal environmental legislation as it pertains to threats to key protected species like the Great White Shark.
The traditional nets will complement the Government’s $16 million NSW Shark Management Strategy, which has increased aerial surveillance and up to 100 smart drumlines being installed, as well as is testing of new technologies including drones.
The trial nets are similar to those used in the Newcastle to Wollongong shark meshing area, where there has been only one fatality at a netted beach in more than 70 years. There may be some possible modifications to operational procedures to suit local conditions.
After extensive consultation with the local community, the beaches at which nets will be trialled are Lighthouse Beach, Shelly Beach and Sharpes Beach at Ballina, Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head and Evans Head Beach.
The nets will be fitted with whale alarms and dolphin ‘pingers’ to deter marine mammals and reduce unintended by-catch.
The NSW Government has also opened this year’s round of funding applications under the Observation Tower Grants program, which has been increased to a total of $200,000 to further support the Shark Management Strategy.
The beaches around Ballina in the Northern Rivers region of NSW are a shark hot spot, with at least six attacks and two tragic deaths in the last two years alone. Tourism and water-related businesses are suffering, not to mention families, but the community is split on the use of shark nets.
Read up on the Shark Smart site and ways to avoid being attacked this summer at
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