Calls to get shark nets removed from Australia's beaches from country's leading biologists

[Still Waters]

Australia's leading shark biologists and conservationists are campaigning for shark nets to be removed from all east coast beaches, permanently.

The nets are meant to protect swimmers from shark attacks, but there are serious questions about their efficacy and the number of endangered species also being caught and killed.

Queensland has 26 shark nets in place all year round - New South Wales has 51 nets and removes them during the whale migration season. State governments run the net schemes and their maintenance.

Sky News travelled by boat off Sydney's coast to see the nets at Manly in northern Sydney.

https://news.sky.com/story/calls-to-get-shark-nets-removed-from-australias-beaches-from-countrys-leading-biologists-12851864

02:57 video in the link

[Scholar4Truth]

So what is the alternative to protect swimmers?

[Piney]

57 minutes ago, Scholar4Truth said:

So what is the alternative to protect swimmers?

Nothing, you want to swim in the oceans, take the risks.

Personally I'm sick of tourism trumping the environment. Beach replenishment destroys habitats along with sewerage. 

[Ambergris]

Wondered why the great whites where leaving Cape Town for Perth.

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

On 4/10/2023 at 12:58 AM, Scholar4Truth said:

So what is the alternative to protect swimmers?

Surf Life Savers, you know - like they do in areas without thr nets.

[Golden Duck]

On 4/10/2023 at 12:58 AM, Scholar4Truth said:

So what is the alternative to protect swimmers?

Solar powered ESD?  You probably shouldn't be swimming when the Sun goes down anyway.

[+and-then]

On 4/9/2023 at 9:58 AM, Scholar4Truth said:

So what is the alternative to protect swimmers?

They could try this:

This image was taken by a drone off Long Island. (the caption said these were Skate fish).  Depending on the visual clarity of the water, they could use drones over popular beaches.  I'm sure that connected to an AI-alert system, it'd be at least as effective as the nets were.  

[openozy]

It's not worth the risk swimming in the ocean to me, although I used to surf when young. If it's not sharks it's crocs or something else lethal. It seems crazy people are willing to face a monster to cool off.

[psyche101]

On 4/10/2023 at 12:58 AM, Scholar4Truth said:

So what is the alternative to protect swimmers?

Do what Mick Fanning did 

Punch it in the face 

OI, I'M SURFING HERE MF

Edited August 28, 2023 by psyche101

[openozy]

On 4/10/2023 at 12:58 AM, Scholar4Truth said:

So what is the alternative to protect swimmers?

What's an alternative food for the sharks seeing we rape the oceans of their normal prey.

[A rather obscure Bassoon]

Enter the Ocean at your own risk. Sharks have been around way longer than Humans.