Loopholes in federal legislation used by the states to deploy lethal shark nets would be closed and non-lethal shark control measures supercharged in a plan launched today by the Greens.
Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Whish-Wilson:
“Shark nets are lethal fisheries devices masquerading as sensible protective barriers for humans, but the truth is they merely give a false sense of security to ocean-goers while indiscriminately killing marine wildlife.
“Decades of data reveals 63% of all shark bites in NSW have occurred at netted beaches. Meanwhile most marine wildlife captured in our shark nets are threatened or protected species, including whales, dolphins, and turtles.
“The federal government has a legal responsibility to protect endangered marine species, including those killed in shark nets – but shark nets won’t be removed until increased investment is made to keep ocean-goers safe. It’s time the federal government stopped palming this responsibility off to the states.
“That’s why the Greens are pushing the federal government to remove existing exemptions to state-controlled lethal shark net programs that risk federally protected species, and roll out modern-day alternatives to shark nets across Australia that better protect ocean-goers and the environment. These include shark shield personal deterrent devices, shark spotter programs, eco-shark barriers, and increased public education.
“The states can’t be left to roll these out alone when it’s the federal government that has the legal responsibility of protecting endangered marine wildlife.
“It’s possible to protect sharks and other marine wildlife in Australia, and protect the people who share the ocean with them. It’s time to end the culture war on sharks. Safety in our oceans and the protection of vulnerable species aren’t binary options; both are possible and
can be done much more effectively.”
The Greens will:
- Fund $50 million over ten years to supercharge research and development of non-lethal shark control measures that can replace nets and drum lines;
- Fund $5m to establish a National Sharks Working Group across all states that will look at multiple ways to make ocean goers safer.
- Fund $5m to establish a publicly accessible national database of interactions with shark control measures, critical for research and education/awareness programs.
- End Federal exemptions used by the states for lethal shark control measures
- Have the ACCC investigate all existing shark mitigation technologies for efficacy and establish national advertising and product promotion standards;