The shark nets are going back into the water off the NSW coastline this first day of Spring 💔

Last year 86% of marine species caught in NSW shark nets were NON-target species.

We lost three green turtles in the Bate Bay nets in 8 months alone.

On the Central Coast we lost several Leatherback turtles that died in and because of their experience trapped in the nets.

Whales, seals, sea lions, rays, dolphins and non-target sharks are killed by these nets. Many of the animals that get caught in these nets do not survive - they are not rescued fast enough ( more than 1/3 of the netted animals were found deceased in the nets) and many of those that are classified as ‘officially alive on release’ do not survive including the turtles due to injuries and stress from the nets.

We are calling for the use of scientifically smarter and non-lethal technologies such as drones, tagging, personal shark deterrents.

In NSW a shark net is 150 metres by 6 metres, located approximately 500 metres off shore where it is approximately 12 metres deep. They are not barrier, they do not enclose an area, they do not prevent sharks from swimming over, under or around them (as NSW nets do not go to the surface, while in QLD the nets do not go to the bottom).

To learn and understand why we want the #netsoutnow (the removal of the deep water NSW SHARK MESHING NETS , not the removal of ocean pool nets),

SO Shire with Sutherland Shire Environment Centre and thanks to Envoy Foundation are hosting a FREE screening of Envoy: Shark Cull documentary:

https://www.envoyfilm.com.au

📍Hazelhurst Arts Centre Theatrette

🕐 1pm, Saturday 10th September

Q&A will held after the screening (2:40 pm) featuring special guest speakers :

🦈 Sea Shepherd Australia - NSW Shark Defence Coordinator Hunter Jade Derusha

🦈 Lawrence Chlebeck - Marine Biologist and Senior Shark Campaigner Humane Society Australia

🦈 Sarah Han de Beaux - Saving Norman and Spot a Shark

and.....more guests to be announced !

More details and information to come over the next week including statistics about the nets at southern Sydney including Bate Bay beaches.

86.5% non target species over the 8 month reporting period ( 1 sep 2021 - 30 April 2022):
Link to report for statistics to use including mathematical assessment of what these statistics may tell us. https://www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1417139/Shark-Meshing-Bather-Protection-Program-2021-22-Annual-Performance-Report.pdf