Shark nets are contraptions designed to deter sharks from reaching beachgoers and keep swimmers safe in Australia.
They do, however, kill marine life more than anything else.
Thousands of protected animals such as dolphins, turtles, rays, and whales are ensnared and often killed by the terrible devices.
The issue does not appear to be getting any better.
According to new data, 480 marine species were taken in over 50 shark nets between September 2019 and April 2020.
Sadly, 300 of those animals were slaughtered – dolphins, turtles, sharks, and rays who had no right to die in such a cruel way.
It’s obvious that this issue will not go away on its own!
According to world champion surfer Layne Beachley, who spent most of her life in the ocean, these nets pose more of a threat to marine life than they do helping to protect swimmers.
The majority of sharks, and marine life for that matter, caught in the nets have been caught on the beachside or on their way back out to sea, posing no threat to ocean users, yet senselessly losing their lives, she said.
Sign this petition and ask the Australian government to find a less harmful and more effective way to protect beachgoers. It’s time to remove the shark nets.
This article by Holly Woodbury was first published by OneGreenPlanet on 26 March 2022. Lead Image Source : VisionDive/shutterstock.
What you can do
Support ‘Fighting for Wildlife’ by donating as little as $1 – It only takes a minute. Thank you.
Fighting for Wildlife supports approved wildlife conservation organizations, which spend at least 80 percent of the money they raise on actual fieldwork, rather than administration and fundraising. When making a donation you can designate for which type of initiative it should be used – wildlife, oceans, forests or climate.
Leave a Reply