Surfers push for shark nets as NSW Premier expected to back down on greyhound ban
WITH NSW Premier Mike Baird expected to back down today on banning greyhound racing in the State, surfers hope shark nets will be next issue on which he changes his mind.
Gold Coast
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WITH NSW Premier Mike Baird expected to back down today on banning greyhound racing in the State, surfers hope shark nets will be next issue on which he changes his mind.
Northern NSW boardriders say they are furious the Government has decided to use unproven and non-lethal measures to protect beachgoers from shark attacks.
Three people have been killed in shark attacks since 2008 and another eight seriously mauled.
Ballina surfer Cooper Allen, 17, was attacked by a great white at Ballina’s Lighthouse Beach two weeks ago.
It sparked further anger at the Baird Government, coming in the wake of two failed “eco” shark barriers at Lighthouse Beach and Lennox, which cost $2.6 million.
After the attack Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair approved the installation of “smart” drumlines but said he wanted to continue trials of non-lethal ways of deterring sharks.
Just 24 hours later he changed his mind and said he was open to introducing shark nets if the locals wanted them.
Following whirlwind visit to Ballina, Mr Blair announced 85 additional smart drumlines would be installed off the NSW Coast but no nets.
Lennox-Ballina boardriders’ president Don Munro yesterday said smart drumlines were not enough.
Mr Munro said with the Premier’s expected change of mind on the greyhound industry he would push for shark nets in the region.
“We’re looking at meeting with the Government soon and driving home the message that we won’t accept anything less than shark nets,” Mr Munro said.
“The turnaround (with the greyhound industry) is by sheer strength of numbers and people are turning around up here for shark nets every day.
“Hopefully, the sheer strength of numbers up here will make Baird turn around.”
He said the local surf and tourism industries were doing tougher than ever since the latest attack.
“The ramifications from the attacks just continue and we’re still pushing for the nets,” Mr Munro said.
“The other measures they’re trying to put in will be nowhere near as successful as shark nets.”
Professional surfer, surf coach and board shaper James Wood said the Baird Government was having a “shocker” and called for a trial of traditional shark nets to observe the bycatch.
“It blows my mind to see about 80km up the coast there’s something that works,” Mr Wood said.
“For the short term, we know that the nets on the Gold Coast work and I think they’re worth trying for a little while.
“They’re worried about hurting a turtle but, mate, there are kids here getting their legs bitten.
“If that shark came in at a different angle, Cooper Allen would have been dead.”
As the main group of people being attacked, Mr Wood said surfers were upset they had not been listened to.
“It’s like they’re trying to tip-toe around it,” he said.
“As far as I see it, the three biggest issues in this state are lockout laws, greyhounds and shark attacks and (Mike Baird’s) having an absolute shocker with all of them,” Mr Wood said.
“It just seems they don’t have any respect for our opinion.
“We’re the one’s dealing with the issue.”
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