Shark nets are back in NSW waters from 1 September, but they don’t make our communities safe. 

In the last year we’ve seen the devastating impacts of shark bites, with several deaths and serious injuries in NSW waters. But shark nets are not the answer.

Because they don’t form a barrier between sharks and swimmers, sharks can swim over, under and around nets, with nearly 40% of sharks found beachside, trapped when trying to return to open water.

Meanwhile around 90% of animals caught in the nets are non-target animals including critically endangered grey nurse sharks, endangered turtles, dolphins, rays and whales. Most are found dead.

The government’s own review found strong community support for technologies that are non-lethal and proven to keep people safe, such as drones and listening stations. And when the eight coastal councils with netted beaches were asked about the future of the program, not one of them supported keeping shark nets.

Labor promised to explore new technologies and make its decision about shark nets in line with the evidence. Well shark nets do not keep us safe, and they come at a devastating cost to marine life.

It’s time for the nets to go.