Shark nets have again been installed off Illawarra beaches ahead of summer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Fifty-one beaches from Wollongong to Newcastle are netted between September 1 and April 30 each year, as part of the NSW government’s shark meshing program.
Contractors place nets off five Illawarra beaches – Coledale, Austinmer, Thirroul, North Wollongong and Wollongong City.
The “sunk nets” are placed in about 10 to 12 metres of water, and within 500 metres of shore.
Milton-based Greens MLC, and the party’s marine spokesman, Justin Field has called for the government to phase out shark nets in favour of non-lethal strategies.
Mr Field said the nets were an “outdated technology that is failing people and taking a toll on marine life”.
“Shark nets may make oceangoers feel better but the evidence shows they are not effective against target sharks and don’t make swimmers or surfers significantly safe,” he said.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
