Shark nets set up to protect swimmers are actually doing more harm to the environment. 

According to Greenpeace Australia Pacific, the marine life are killed by nets through the NSW shark meshing programme. 

Greenpeace representative Alix Foster said that Greenpeace is horrified at the random killing of marine life. 

“There is no conclusive evidence that nets are effective at preventing human-shark encounter,” Ms Foster said. 

“These alarming new government figures show that dolphins, turtles, rays, endangered shark species and other wildlife are being unnecessarily killed by the nets," she added. 

Non-lethal alternatives to shark nets have been encouraged to the NSW Government. 

These alternatives include renewed trial of scientific solutions, such as electromagnetic barriers and spotting programs. They could be proved to be more effective at protecting swimmers. 

“The NSW government’s own Fisheries Scientific Committee shed doubt on meshing. Its own review process recommended trialling a range of non-lethal options. These could even prove more effective at protecting ocean-goers,” Ms Foster said. 

Some NSW Department of Primary Industries reports that support the meshing programs include the Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program 2015-16 Annual Performance Report, NSW North Coast Shark Meshing Trial Report and Shark Deterrents and Detectors: Review of Bather Protection Technologies.