Calls to eliminate shark nets after dolphin drowns in Bronte shark net
An eastern suburbs mayor wants shark nets banished after a dolphin drowned after becoming entangled in shark nets off Bronte Beach. WATCH THE HEARTBREAKING VIDEO
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An eastern suburbs mayor has joined animal rights groups calling for shark nets to be banished from NSW beaches, after harrowing footage emerged of a dolphin that died struggling to break free of netting.
Popular Instagram account @DroneSharkApp captured the distressing footage at Bronte Beach.
Waverley Council Mayor Paula Masselos said she was “very dissatisfied” with shark nets’ effectiveness across the NSW coast.
The Mayor led a push this summer to have shark nets removed, despite only one fatal attack occurring on a protected beach since nets were introduced in NSW almost 100 years ago.
“Waverley Council supports shark management options that minimise or eliminate impacts on marine biodiversity and we are very dissatisfied with shark nets,” Ms Masselos said.
She said due to their size, location and placement, shark nets had limited effectiveness in reducing the risk for beach users from sharks, while devastating local wildlife.
“They … have significant impacts on marine biodiversity and result in the death of species including turtles, dolphin and dugong at our local beaches,” Ms Masselos said.
Sea Shepherd’s Threatened and Endangered Species Campaigner Lauren Sandeman said the shark net program was “indiscriminate slaughter – not public safety” which was not backed by science.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries manages all shark mitigation strategies in NSW, including shark nets and drones.
Ms Sandeman said the distressing incident showed the outdated technology must be reconsidered.
“If the NSW Government was serious about reducing the indiscriminate suffering these nets cause to our precious marine life and improving swimmer safety, they would follow the years of expert scientific advice they have received to end this program in its entirety,” she said.
Action for Dolphins’ chief operating officer Emilia Michael said the dolphin was left struggling “for hours” in Bronte’s shark net.
“This dolphin would have been desperately trying to get free, eventually drowning in their own home.
“There is no justification for this dolphin’s death because the net that caused this suffering doesn’t protect ocean users.”
Sea Shepherd Australia and Action for Dolphins have called for the permanent replacement of shark nets with more modern shark mitigation measures already being used in New South Wales.
“These modern measures are more effective at protecting ocean users without harming marine life,” the groups said in a joint statement.
A NSW DPI spokeswoman said contractors carried out frequent inspections to minimise the impact on non-target species as part of the NSW Shark Meshing Program.
She said the cause of death of the marine mammal was not yet known.
“The NSW Department of Primary Industries is arranging contractors to attend the net and remove the dolphin, as soon as sea conditions allow,” she said.
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