FACT CHECK: Shark Nets Removal from Sydney Beaches
CLAIM: Sydney beaches will be less safe after shark nets are removed early on March 31, 2025.
RATING:
Recent media reports have raised concerns about the early removal of shark nets from 51 beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong, including Sydney's most popular beaches. While the NSW government has confirmed nets will be removed on March 31 (one month earlier than usual), claims that this will significantly reduce swimmer safety are misleading based on available evidence.
Detailed Analysis
Key Facts About the Net Removal
The NSW government will remove shark nets on March 31, 2025, instead of the typical April 30 removal date.
The early removal is specifically to reduce bycatch of sea turtles during their April migration period.
Six of eight coastal councils with shark nets have voted in favor of permanent removal.
Alternative shark mitigation technologies are already in place, including drone surveillance, SMART drumlines, and shark listening stations.
Evidence on Shark Net Effectiveness
According to historical data, 63% of all shark bites in NSW have occurred at netted beaches
Shark nets do not create a complete barrier but are typically 150m long, 6m high, and anchored in 12m water, allowing sharks to swim over, under or around them.
Nearly half of sharks caught in nets are caught on the beach side of the net, indicating they do not prevent sharks from reaching swimming areas.
During 2023-24, 93% of marine animals caught in nets were non-target species, with only 36% released alive.
During WWII (1943-1946), shark nets were removed from Sydney beaches with no resulting fatal shark incidents.
Alternative Safety Measures
The NSW government has developed and deployed multiple alternative shark safety technologies:
50 drones for surveillance partnered with Surf Life Saving NSW.
37 tagged shark listening stations along the NSW coast.
305 SMART (Shark-Management-Alert-in-Real-Time) drumlines operating year-round.
Research indicates these modern technologies are more effective at detecting and deterring sharks.
Expert Opinion
Marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck with Humane World for Animals Australia states: "If we truly want to put people's safety first, then we need to stop putting our trust in 100-year-old technology and start relying on modern safety measures."
Additionally, a 2020 report from James Cook University for the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries actually advises people "not to swim or surf near shark nets" — a recommendation that directly contradicts the intended purpose of the nets as a safety measure.
Context and Implications
The debate over shark nets highlights tensions between traditional approaches to beach safety and modern conservation concerns. While emotional responses to potential shark encounters are understandable, evidence suggests nets provide more psychological reassurance than actual protection while causing significant harm to marine ecosystems.
Shark nets were introduced to Sydney beaches in 1937 and have remained largely unchanged despite significant advances in technology and understanding of shark behavior. The current shift toward alternative technologies represents an evidence-based approach to both public safety and marine conservation.
Sources
The Advertiser. (2025, March 24). Shark nets removed from Sydney beaches next week. By Madeleine Bower.
9News. (2025, March 24). Shark nets to come down a month earlier at 51 beaches across NSW. By Yashee Sharma.
City News. (2024, August 2). NSW Government Slammed Over Its New Shark Nets Removal Plan For Sydney Beaches. By Shibu Thomas.
NSW Government. (2024, August 1). Summer shark management approach for the Central Coast. Ministerial Media Release.
The Conversation. (2011, October 13). The untold story of shark nets in Australia. By Christopher Pepin-Neff.
Medianet. (2025, March 24). Misinformation the greatest threat to shark safety. Humane World for Animals Australia.
The Greens. (2024, December 7). Greens bid to end the culture war on sharks.
The Conversation. (2022, February 17). Sydney shark attack triggers calls for a cull – but let's take a deep breath and look at the evidence. By Daryl McPhee.
Humane World for Animals. (2025, March 19). Could removing shark nets make us safer?
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