NSW drops shark nets

SHARK nets will not be used to protect beachgoers on popular North Coast beaches this summer with the government conceding they can’t guarantee people will be safe from sharks.

Instead swimmers will be protected by up to 35 SMART drumlines, drone and ariel surveillance at Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head, Sharpes, Shelly and Lighthouse beaches at Ballina as well as Main Beach at Evans Head.

Primary Industries minister Niall Blair made the decision to not reinstate the nets – which are removed during winter for whale season – on the North Coast after research found the majority of the community didn’t support them and they caught less targeted sharks than smart drumlines.

The nets at these beaches also trapped and killed much more marine life – such as turtles and dolphins – than smart drumlines.

“We’re going off the numbers. The smart drumlines have intercepted far many more target sharks than the nets. You can never make the ocean 100 per cent safe” Mr Blair said.

The nets were due to be in the ocean for another trial this summer and Mr Blair said he would reinstate them if there was an increase in shark sighting – or a shark bite. Rays, turtles and dolphins were among “non-target” animals caught in the nets, with 57 animals dying.