How to talk about shark culling, nets and drumlines

Trying to modernise shark culling (via shark nets and drumlines) is surprisingly one of the hardest campaigns in ocean conservation. Many organisations, including Envoy Foundation, spend considerable time and resources on this campaign, public support is growing, yet it continues to fall on deaf ears with the various Governments responsible, particularly Queensland.

The Governments that run these programs (there are only four around the world, and they are state/regional programs, not national) have spent decades trying to confuse the public into thinking they are effective. It’s a strong move politically to play the hero or the “strong man” with such an easy target to villainise. Even though distrust in politicians is at an all-time high, for some reason the myth that shark culling works is one that people still seem to believe the Government on. This makes it a hard area for science, advocacy, and modernisation to improve.

Often, a simple way to start a conversation about shark nets is to check people’s understanding with various scenarios, beginning with the question “did you know?”. It is a quick litmus test to see if they think shark nets work based on facts and science, or based on myths and misunderstandings. 

Here are some examples to help you spread the word about the damage shark nets are causing to our ocean and the false sense of security they provide beachgoers:

Did you know…

1. …that enclosed shark barriers and shark nets are different things?

Shark enclosures provide a barrier between swimming areas and the open ocean, stopping large animals from getting to swimmers. They go from the seabed to the surface and are mostly used in calm bays.

Shark nets are fishing devices that are 150m long and 6m deep, set in 12m deep water, often aiming to protect kilometers of beach. They are designed to capture and kill sharks, but affect any marine animal that comes into contact with them. 

2. …that shark nets were installed during the 1930s to “rid the ocean of sharks”

Their design pre-dates the concept of endangered or protected species, during a time when no marine animal had any protection, and before we realised the migratory nature of large sharks. It was, and continues to be, a cull (defined as ‘reduce the population of (a wild animal) by selective slaughter’) with a target list, and aims to reduce their populations. 

It was also created at a time when people thought white, tiger, or bull sharks would set up ‘residence’ at beaches, and that shark nets would disrupt this habit. There is no scientific literature to support this. It is an urban myth. 

Today, we understand much more about the different species of marine animals, have a greater understanding of marine ecosystems, and know that any shark of concern travels large distances each day and is likely here today, gone tomorrow. We also now know that to rid the ocean of sharks would cause the collapse of the marine ecosystem and lead to the end of industries such as fishing and ocean tourism. A third of all shark species are now considered endangered, including the sharks that shark nets are designed to kill.

3. …that there are modern solutions to swimmer/bather safety?

Modern shark-spotting drones are already deployed in many NSW beaches and are being trialled at some QLD beaches. They alert lifeguards of shark whereabouts, identify species, whilst also helping to spot swimmers caught in rip tides. Listening buoys detect tagged sharks in NSW and signal alarms to lifeguards. Modern medicine and modern training of lifeguards provide the highest chance of safety for swimmers. There are other modern solutions, such as aerial patrols, different types of shark barriers, apps monitoring tagged sharks, and wearable shark deterrents, to name a few.

Drone trials are currently taking place at some beaches in QLD

4. …that Shark nets attract predatory sharks to beaches?

When you think of an animal caught in a net, struggling for its life and then decaying, what do you think might be attracted to the area? Predatory sharks, of course. Evidence from freedom of information requests from NSW and QLD governments shows that many animals caught have bite-sized imprints and injuries, or even giant chunks missing, proving that these caught animals are attracting predatory sharks for a free meal. 

5. …that nearly all animals caught in the nets are non-target species?

92% of animals caught in the nets are non-target animals, such as dolphins, turtles, rays, seals, penguins, birds, and harmless shark species. Almost half the animals caught will die in the nets.

6. …that nets provide swimmers with a false sense of security? 

A key reason the government keeps installing shark nets is that they fear public backlash if they were to remove the nets. Most people in the community think that the shark nets keep them safe, but research supports that it’s the lifeguards and other modern approaches that are really keeping people safe. 

It’s up to all of us to continue educating people and help challenge the misconceptions about the shark nets used by the governments of NSW and QLD.