Conservation groups and local communities welcome the decision, while urging the Government to remove all nets as soon as possible.

“This is a big win for marine life, and it’s a credit to thousands of people who raised their voices for change,” said Hope Robins, CEO of Action for Dolphins. “But we can’t forget that 89% of the animals caught in the nets last season were non-target species. Every beach where the nets remain, dolphins, turtles and countless precious marine animals – including endangered species – are at risk of drowning in their ocean home.”

Freedom of Information data from the 2024/25 season shows 223 animals were caught in shark nets. Only 11% were target sharks, while 89% were unintended bycatch. Among those killed were dolphins, threatened turtles, and critically endangered grey nurse sharks.

The NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee has concluded there is no evidence that shark nets reduce shark bite risk. “This decision recognises that shark nets don’t keep people safe, and they never have. With every season nets remain in the water, we risk losing more of our most iconic marine wildlife” Robins says.

“The sustained use of shark nets continues to put public safety at risk. The Department of Primary Industries’ own images suggest larger sharks are preying on smaller marine animals entangled in the nets, yet no formal studies have been done. It shows just how little we understand the true impact of these nets, and yet they will continue to be blindly deployed at 48 NSW beaches.”

Key statistics about shark nets in New South Wales

  • Shark nets are installed at 51 beaches across Newcastle, Sydney, and Wollongong.
  • Shark nets do not form a barrier. They are 150 metres long and 6 metres high, suspended in 12 metres of water.
  • Shark nets give a false sense of security while failing to reduce the risk of a shark bite.
  • The NSW Government’s own scientific advisors have discredited the program’s effectiveness. The NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee found there is no evidence that shark nets reduce fatalities. The Committee also could not detect any difference in shark bite risk between netted and non-netted beaches.
  • In the 2024/25 consultation period, not a single coastal council from Newcastle to Wollongong supported keeping shark nets in the water.
  • Public sentiment, expert advice, and available technology all support removing the nets permanently.
  • In the 2024/25 season:
    • 89% of animals caught in NSW shark nets were non-target species, including dolphins, turtles, and endangered sharks.
    • 223 animals were caught in the nets. 149 died – a 67% mortality rate.
    • Only 11% (24 animals) were target sharks (tiger, bull, white). The remaining 199 animals were unintended bycatch.
    • The catch included:
      • 4 dolphins, all killed.
      • 13 turtles (all threatened species), 7 killed.
      • 11 grey nurse sharks (critically endangered on the east coast), 4 killed.
    • Non-lethal alternatives are already in use across NSW and have proven to be more effective:
      • Listening stations (2023/24): 473 target sharks detected.
      • Drones (2023/24): 362 sharks spotted.
      • These modern technologies are more effective, more humane, and better supported by science.

For media enquiries, contact Hope at media@afd.org.au