An Unpredictable Year in the NSW Shark Culling Program

The 2024/25 shark culling season in New South Wales has been characterised by uncertainty and controversy. Marked by ongoing scrutiny, shifting policy proposals, withdrawals, and widespread misinformation, the season has drawn significant public and political attention. In the aftermath of the recent shark bite fatality at Dee Why, the Department of Primary Industries has quietly released its 2024/25 annual performance report, notably overdue and later than in previous years.

DPI’s report outlines the key points of the shark culling programs operations over 2024-2025, shedding light on its shortcomings and failures. Below are the main points highlighted in the DPI’s 2024/25 findings:

• A total of 223 marine animals were caught during the culling season, a staggering 90% of which were non-target species

• Only 74 animals (33%) were released alive, without any post release mortality data available to understand if they actually survive in the short, medium or long term

• The nets reportedly underwent 20 separate damage incidents over the culling season

• There were 4 reports of nets or part of nets being lost at sea, meaning they are ghost nets, likely to entangle and kill for years or decades to come

• At least 9 confirmed whale entanglements occurred, all of which whales had managed to release themselves by breaking the net (which is why the DPI instead uses the term 'whale strike'), along with 8 other unverified cases involving whales, sharks, or other large marine animals.

• 106 sharks spotted with drone surveillance throughout the season vs 24 target sharks caught in culling nets

Taken together, these points continue to represent the clear narrative that reliable scientists and organisations have been saying all along: the NSW shark culling program kills far more non-target marine animals than target species, whilst failing to deliver any real evidence of improved safety in the water.

Despite the abundance of evidence available, the Minns Government has scrapped its plan to begin a long overdue transition of the program, with the trial removal of three shark nets from NSW waters. Instead, the Minns government has endorsed the installation of LED lights on all shark nets after what it deemed a successful trial at the end of last meshing season. These LED lights are a measure that deters all marine life, including target shark species, thereby contradicting the stated purpose of the culling program.

Approximately $2.6 million in public funds continues to be allocated annually to maintain this outdated and ineffective system. These resources would be better directed towards transitioning net contractors into roles that support non-lethal alternatives, which prioritise both human safety and marine conservation. Our advocacy efforts will persist throughout 2025 and 2026, with the goal of achieving the complete abolition of shark nets in NSW.