THREE shark attacks so far this January have placed swimmer safety in the spotlight.
The first attack occurred on January 3 when a 28-year-old man was bitten on the left arm by a suspected bronze whaler while surfing at North Avoca beach.
The second attack occurred on January 18 at Redhead beach near Newcastle, when a 44-year-old surfer sustained a deep wound to his thigh after being attacked by a suspected bull shark, while the third occurred just a day later, when a 26-year-old snorkelling guide was bitten on the arm by a three-metre tiger shark at a remote beach in Western Australia.
The spike in attacks has prompted discussions on how to provide better warning systems, but Greens MP Cate Faehrmann has a more unusual suggestion.
Ms Faehrmann called for shark nets to be removed from all NSW beaches, noting that the attack near Newcastle occurred at a netted beach.
"Shark nets are little more than psychological comfort to swimmers and don't prevent attacks," Ms Faehrmann said.
She said the nets kill "thousands of turtles, dolphins, rays and other animals which are not a danger to humans".
"We humans are only visitors in the ocean. This is shark habitat, not ours."
At least five beaches in and around Sutherland Shire are netted including Wanda, Elouera, North Cronulla, Cronulla and Garie.
Sutherland Shire Environment Centre chairwoman Jenni Gormley said while she wasn't opposed to shark nets, it was important to note that up to half the sharks caught in nets were swimming back out to sea from the beach side.
The Australian Anti Shark Finning Alliance has supported Ms Faehrmann's position, saying education programs and aerial patrols would be more effective in preventing attacks, and have less of a negative effect on marine animals.
A spokesman for NSW Fisheries said the nets had a "strong track record in helping to provide a safer environment".
"Since the program was first introduced in 1937 there has only been one fatality on a meshed beach," he said.
He said the nets were intended to reduce the chance of a shark establishing its territory near a beach used by swimmers.
The spokesman rejected Ms Faehrmann's claims that the nets killed "thousands" of harmless species.
"An annual average of approximately three dolphins and three turtles are caught, while more than 60 per cent of captured rays are released alive."
SHARK SMART TIPS
Tell an on-duty lifesaver or lifeguard if a shark is spotted near swimmers or surfers.
Don’t swim too far from shore.
Swim in groups.
Avoid swimming and surfing at night or during twilight hours.
Avoid murky water.
Avoid areas used by recreational or commercial fishers.
Avoid areas with signs of bait fish or fish feeding activity; diving seabirds are a good indicator of fish activity.
Do not rely on sightings of dolphins to indicate the absence of sharks; both often feed together on the same food.
Avoid swimming in canals, and swimming or surfing in river/harbour mouths.
Do not swim with pets.
Do not swim/surf near or interfere with shark nets.
Do you support the use of shark nets?
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