NSW to get shark nets

SHARK nets will again be deployed off the NSW north coast this summer after a hugely successful trial that halted a horror run of deadly attacks in the region.

Former premier Mike Baird was forced to install nets between mid-December and May after a huge spike in shark maulings, including the 2015 death of Japanese surfer Tadashi Nakahara off Ballina.

Mr Baird faced protests by greenie activists as he announced the nets last year, including one who threw a net over him.

Despite the controversy, the policy worked – with zero attacks recorded off the NSW north coast last summer and none since. There were 14 shark attacks at the height of the 2015 crisis and eight last year.

The nets, laid off Lighthouse, Sharpes and Shelly beaches at Ballina, Lennox Heads’ Seven Mile Beach and Evans Head, also led to a welcome resurgence of the areas tourism industry, which took a battering as families felt unsafe to swim or surf there.

Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair will announce today a second trial of the nets will begin in November, covering the same beaches, along with 25 “smart” drumlines designed to catch man-eating sharks. There will also be helicopter and drone patrols.

A further 266 animals were caught in the nets.

“During the (first) sixmonth trial we tested both nets and ‘smart’ drumlines, and while the drumlines proved more effective at catching ‘target’ sharks, a further trial will provide more evidence of the nets’ effectiveness,” Mr Blair said.

Surfers warmly welcomed the first trial of the nets, while businesses noticed an increase in visitor numbers.

Nine deadly sharks – three great whites, three tigers and three bull sharks _ were caught in the nets during the trial, with four released alive. Five of the sharks were caught at Sharpes Beach.

A further 266 animals were caught in the nets, including 16 “non-target” sharks, four dolphins and 11 turtles. The most commonly caught creature was the Australian cownose ray.