NETS OUT NOW COALITION
BACKGROUND
STATE-FUNDED SHARK CULLING
Queensland and New South Wales state legislation allows their respective Fisheries departments to operate a shark mitigation program that uses deadly force to reduce shark populations, through the use of both shark nets and catch-and-kill drumlines.
These devices are fishing apparatus designed to catch and kill.
Their use is legislated under Fisheries legislation, and interfering with the equipment is punishable under the Fisheries Act. Public-facing Government communications avoid this fishing reference, but internal and legal references to this program acknowledge that it is a fishing program.
It is designed to selectively slaughter a wild animal, also known as culling.
CULLING METHODS
A 'shark net' is between 150m long (New South Wales) and 183m long (Queensland), 6m deep, and set in 12m deep water. They are often used to "protect" beaches that are many kilometers long. These nets are designed to entangle and kill animals. They are not a barrier, they do not enclose an area.
A 'drumline' is a baited shark fishing-hook, hanging from a bouy, that aims to attract and catch sharks. 'Traditional drumlines', also known as lethal drumlines, or catch-and-kill drumlines, are designed to hook and kill animals.
Both are set approx 500m from shore, and neither prevents sharks from swimming over, under or around them.
As just two examples, there are a total of 2.01km of shark nets used to "protect" the 30km+ of Gold Coast beaches (11 nets x 183m each). These nets do not go more than half-way to the bottom in Queensland.
Bondi Beach spans approximately 1km and is "protected" by one 150m net. These nets do not go more than half-way to the surface in New South Wales.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
A peer-reviewed study conducted using Queensland Shark Control Program data found substantial declines (74–92%) of catch per unit effort of hammerhead (Sphyrnidae), whaler (Carcharhinidae), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) and white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias).
Following the onset of the Shark Control Program program in the 1960s, catch rates in new installations in subsequent decades occurred at a substantially lower rate, indicating regional depletion of shark populations over the past half a century (Roff et al, 2018).
FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY
The outcome of Humane Society International (Australia) Inc v Department of Agriculture & Fisheries (Qld) AATA Case proved "overwhelmingly" that mesh nets and catch-and-kill drumlines used by these programs do not make any impact on safety, negatively impact on the marine ecosystem, and provide beachgoers with a false sense of security.
They ruled that these methods must cease to be used within the bounds of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The 'Shark mitigation and deterrent measures' Senate Inquiry (2017) also found substantial evidence that shark nets and catch-and-kill drumlines (used by the Queensland Shark Control Program and NSW Shark Meshing and Bather Protection Program to cull sharks) do not make any positive impact on safety, negatively impact the marine ecosystem, and provide beach goers with a false sense of security.
They recommended these methods cease in favour of modern non-lethal technologies, however both states have thus far refused to comply with this recommendation.
"The lethal component of the SCP does not reduce the risk of unprovoked shark interactions. The scientific evidence before us is overwhelming in this regard."
Humane Society International (Australia) Inc v Department of Agriculture & Fisheries (Qld)
7 TARGET SPECIES
illustrations by Sharktopia.
These SEVEN species are THE listed target species of the Queensland Shark Control Program as at 2o23.
Twelve harmless species were only very recently removed:
NETS OUT NOW COALITION
POSITION STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION
Since the 1930’s, sharks have been targeted and killed by government-run shark culling programs to “protect” beaches in Australia. These have operated in New South Wales since 1937, and Queensland since 1962. In this time, almost 70 shark bite incidents, including 3 fatalities, have occurred at so-called “protected” beaches.
SHARK BITE MITIGATION AND MODERNISATION
It is the position of the members of the Nets Out Now Coalition that:
1) Shark culling via the use of shark nets and lethal drumlines is an ineffective method for promoting public safety, providing only a false sense of security to beachgoers
2) These methods are extremely detrimental to the health and ecological viability of our marine life and ecosystems, affecting both ‘target’ and ‘non-target' species
3) We directly oppose the continuation of outdated, lethal measures of shark control and beach safety programs that are not supported by scientific evidence, namely shark nets and lethal drumlines, and support the immediate transition away from these methods
4) We support and advocate for the use of scientifically supported, evidence-based approaches using modern and non-lethal alternatives in these programs, in conjunction with community education and support for lifesavers and first responders, and request the rapid implementation of these measures
It is our position that these updated measures will improve protection for both beach-goers and marine life within Australian waters, as well as positioning Australia as a global leader on shark mitigation, leading to improvements in human safety, tourism, conservation and reputation.
CONCLUSIONS
Lethal programs designed to kill target sharks are ineffective at improving beach safety and do not have the social licence to continue, especially those that kill large amounts of by-catch of non-target species such as dolphins, whales and turtles. It is our position that lethal drumlines and shark nets should be replaced with non-lethal mitigation methods as a matter of urgency.
Member organisations may have their own individual position statements with further detail on their organisations position on more specific issues, and are available to be approached directly.
NETS OUT NOW COALITION MEMBERS
criteria for Prospective Coalition Members
01
Alignment with the Position Statement
We seek partners who share our unwavering stance against shark control methods that are lethal. By joining, you or your organisation align with a global effort devoted to embracing alternative approaches for shark mitigation in Australia grounded in scientific evidence.
02
Commitment to Non-Harmful solutions
Demonstrate dedication to the Nets Out Now campaign by actively supporting the implementation of non-lethal mitigation strategies. We encourage coalition members and ambassadors not only to endorse these solutions but also to advocate for their widespread adoption.
03
Expertise or influence
Whether through your unique skills, resources, influential status or through your organisation's scientific research, community outreach capabilities, technological innovation, or prominent position with influence, the contribution you bring will play a pivotal role in advancing our shared objective.
04
Ethical Positioning
Uphold ethical principles surrounding marine life conservation and beach safety. Your alignment with these principles ensures that our coalition remains a beacon for ethical practices in marine conservation.
05
Demonstrated Impact
We invite organisations and individuals with a proven history of successful advocacy, meaningful engagement in marine conservation, or significant influence that will help propel the coalition's impact.
rEADY TO mAKE A dIFFERENCE?
contact us
Image: AMCS/HSI/N McLachlan
NETS OUT NOW
ACTIONS
Together with shark nets and baited 'catch-and-kill' drumlines, over 100,000 sharks other marine animals have been killed. These tactics and methods are cruel, outdated, and have been proved time and again not to protect swimmers and surfers.
These archaic and ineffective methods pose a huge risk — not only to endangered shark populations — but also to whales, dolphins, turtles, dugongs, and many other wildlife species. Even the swimmers and surfers these programs are designed to protect are put at risk by them, by allowing these beachgoers a false sense of security.
Our petition demands decision-makers at all levels stop killing sharks and other marine life, and to modernise shark bite mitigation in Australia.
NETS OUT NOW COALITION AMBASSADORS
Image: Rebecca Griffiths