A trial to remove the shark nets from three of Australia’s most iconic beaches is finally moving forward, after the New South Wales (NSW) government asked the relevant councils to each nominate a site. The move has been applauded by scientists, who say that if it goes well, it could be expanded to more beaches, perhaps even the world-famous Bondi Beach.
The idea has been around for a while. Last September, a group of experts and marine conservation organisations, along with a politician, called for the state to ban the 51 nets that have been strung along the coast since the 1930s. Critics have argued that the nets are ineffective at keeping sharks out and are highly damaging to other marine life. During the summer of 2023, approximately 90% of the animals caught in NSW’s shark nets were not sharks.
Taking this into account, the government has decided to “look at the data” and “use technology” to explore alternative control methods. Scientists have long mocked the nets, saying they create a false sense of security. Lawrence Chlebek, a marine biologist from the global non-profit organisation Humane World for Animals, has compared the nets to “a table tennis net on a soccer pitch”. The nets are around 150 metres long and are installed approximately 500 metres offshore, covering only a small part of the coastline. At Bondi Beach, for example, a net covers just 150 metres of the one-kilometre-long stretch. Chlebek stressed that sharks “could easily swim around, underneath, and over the top”, adding that 40% of the sharks caught were found on the beach side of the net.
You can help sharks! 🦈
— Humane World for Animals (@humaneworldorg) July 25, 2025
Shark Week is the perfect time to stand up for sharks. These incredible animals are being killed by the millions each year—many just for their fins. Add your name to protect sharks and help end this cruelty.
✍️ Sign the petition today and be part of… pic.twitter.com/QE8mBmmHBa
The nets form part of NSW’s broader shark management programme, which includes non-lethal measures such as drone surveillance, shark tagging and tracking, real-time detection and community education. The programme also uses SMART drumlines to humanely catch, tag and remove sharks from populated beaches.
Approaches to shark management differ across Australia. South Australia and Western Australia, for example, have abandoned lethal control methods in favour of monitoring, education and rapid response. Meanwhile, Queensland plans to expand lethal methods.
However, public attitudes have shifted in the last decade. Dr Brianna Le Busque, from the University of South Australia, notes that ‘people want protection and to feel safe in the water, but support for lethal mitigation is dwindling’. She cites a study of 196 unprovoked shark attacks since the 2000s, which found no difference in attack rates between netted and non-netted beaches.
Councils have until 22 August to submit their chosen beaches, with a government decision expected by December. Waverley Council, which oversees Bondi Beach, has said that it will only agree to the removal of nets if other safety measures are enhanced. “The safety of our community comes first,” said Mayor Will Nemesh.
Within the surf community, however, views are mixed. Dave Pearson, founder of Bite Club and a shark attack survivor, supports the use of SMART drumlines, stating that they are ‘quite effective’ and do not kill the sharks. However, Dean Dunstone, who runs a surf school at a net-free beach, says his students still feel safer with nets. This is a view echoed by a Bondi swimmer who had a close encounter with a shark.
Despite the fear, shark encounters are rare. On average, about 20 people a year have been injured by sharks off Australia’s coasts over the past decade, with 2.8 fatalities. By contrast, around 150 people drowned in coastal waters last year. This trial could mark a turning point towards ocean safety that protects both people and marine life.
