As summer approaches, the Humane Society International (HSI) is calling for an end to shark culling in Australian waters.
Sharks and hundreds of other marine species, including dolphins, rays and turtles are threatened by the netting of beaches.
HSI’s Marine Scientist, Jessica Morris, said that nets do not make our beaches safer.
“We need further research and education on non-lethal options to help users feel safe in the water, to understand the risks and to understand that sharks are an important marine species,” she said.
Hundreds of marine species are killed by nets implemented by the NSW and Queensland government, which will continue to be a threat to marine wildlife.
From 2014 – 2015 NSW shark nets, which operate throughout the year, caught four critically endangered grey nurse sharks.
So far in 2016, the Queensland Shark Control program, which includes both nets and drumlines, has killed over 170 sharks.
“Their presence in the water is a natural occurrence and the majority of times, sharks and humans will be in the water together without any consequence to people’s safety,” Morris said.
