Shark attack: Nick Slater death leads to discussion on effectiveness of nets

There are calls once again for shark nets to be banned in the wake of the shark attack on Tuesday which claimed the life of Nick Slater on the Gold Coast.

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The killer shark that claimed the life of a Gold Coast surfer slipped past a defence system that uses 2km of nets to protect a 57km coastline.

The controversial shark net program, which had until Tuesday protected the Gold Coast from a single fatal attack for more than 60 years, is far from the impenetrable fortress that some have long believed it to be.

In all, just 11 stretches of netting, each measuring less than 200 metres in length and 6m deep, are all that stands between surfers, swimmer and a shark population that fishermen and marine experts agree is growing.

The death of real estate agent Nick Slater at one of the Gold Coast’s safest and most beloved beaches has again ignited the shark net debate, with critics of the program calling for an urgent overhaul to protect the lives of humans and the marine creatures caught as collateral damage by nets and baited drumlines along the coast.

Queensland Water Police patrol the scene of the fatal shark attack at Coolangatta. Picture: Scott Powick

Gold Coast shark attack victim Nick Slater.

There are just 27 shark nets at Queensland beaches, along with almost 400 baited drumlines.

Documentary director Andre Borell, who is set to release Envoy Shark Cull, said it was ridiculous to continue to rely on a program installed almost 60 years ago.

“It’s totally unacceptable that our government continue to use safety measures from 1962 that have no scientific backing whatsoever,” he said.

He said there had been almost 30 shark attacks at Queensland beaches protected by either shark nets or drumlines. “That’s far from successful at keeping people safe.”

He said drone technology, which makes it easier to identify sharks, and netted swimming enclosures would be more effective at protecting humans and marine animals.

Originally published as Shark attack: Nick Slater death leads to discussion on effectiveness of nets