Shark Nets in the Eastern Suburbs - Time for a Safer, Smarter Approach

Calls grow for removal of outdated shark nets and shift to non-lethal technologies

A growing wave of community concern is calling on the NSW Government to phase out the use of shark nets along the Sydney Eastern Suburbs coastline, including at beaches like Bondi, Bronte and Coogee. 

First installed in the 1930s, shark nets were once seen as a way to reduce the risk of shark encounters at busy beaches. However, current studies and decades of data now tell a different story: shark nets are outdated, ineffective, and highly damaging to marine life.

I echo the concern of the community regarding shark nets and have taken action.

With the 2025 - 2026 summer season approaching, there is an opportunity for the NSW Government to adopt strategies which put safety, science, and sustainability at the forefront of our approach.

Here's the letter we sent to Minister for Agriculture on behalf of the Eastern Suburbs Community and our call for action: