Ballina Shire has asked the DPI to install 5 shark nets over the next 6 months as part of another 6 month trial. The shark nets were installed today, 2 days before the rally and paddle out on the 25th Nov. We urgently need to encourage all levels of government to not install/remove these marine killing nets. We also need to show that we do not consent to these nets that have killed over 140 marine creatures durring the last 6 month trial and that there are more effective non lethal alternatives.
remove shark nets
The plan is to meet on the beach in front of Lennox Head surf club at midday ~ Saturday 25th Nov~ and spell out some large words with bodies and boards then paddle out to the Shark nets that are planned to be about 300 meters off shore. Those who feel confident and with masks and fins can then swim under the shark nets that go down about 5 meters. This will help dispel the fallacy that the nets are a total barrier and that sharks, like humans, can swim under the nets.
You can see the effects of a similar action I organised at Mooloolaba and some of the positive media it generated here https://www.facebook.com/
If you want to sign some petitions to Lobby politicians or get more info on shark nets and the alternatives you can check my website www.migaloo2.com More info and media releases to come. Keep checking this event to see if there are any changes with dates, venues or time. Also ring Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair on 0409 682 163 or tel him not to instal the nets in writing at https://www.nsw.gov.au/
I have been talking to the person from the DPI by the name of Marcel Green who is co-ordinating the shark net program and installation of the nets off Ballina. He says the people of this region want the nets. Feel free to call him and let him know if this is true. 0410459959
Shark nets installed today. Media Release 23-11-2017
Shark net Rally. People plan to swim under the nets.
Skipper of Marine conservation yacht Migaloo 2, Dean Jefferys said “In responce to the shark nets being installed of Ballinas beaches concerned people will swim under the shark nets to help dispel the fallacy that the nets are a total barrier and that sharks and like humans, can swim under the nets.The plan is to meet on the beach in front of Lennox Head surf club at midday ~ Saturday 25th Nov~ and spell out some large words with bodies and boards then paddle out to the Shark nets that are planned to be about 500 to 800 meters off shore. Those who feel confident and with masks and fins can then swim under the shark nets that go down about 5 meters.”
“In July this year a humpback whale calf tangled up in a shark net off the Gold Coast. The mother also got tangled possibly trying desperately to free her baby from the Shark nets. The baby eventually drown and the mother was cut loose, I would suggest, devastated. Over 140 marine creatures died in the last 6 month trial, including many endangered species. How many many creatures need to die (data) to prove these nets don’t work. There are many more effective non lethal alternatives to Shark Nets, like Drone surveillance, Tagging, Smart bouys, Shark Shields, Spotters, and shark smart awareness programs. One point for swimming under the nets is to show what sharks do and how ineffective the nets are at keeping sharks away from swimming areas. Shark nets only go down 6 meters and are around 186 meters long, in a straight line. I am a drone operator currently working with “Shark Watch” around the Byron region. ”Shark Watch” is a non lethal example of an effective, real time, community based solution that could be expanded along Australia’s east coast”
Following is a letter i recently sent to the Ballina Chamber of Commerce and the Ballina Mayor asking for a meeting. “Seeing as they have opted for the shark nets as apposed to non lethal alternatives, it seems like we have no option than to proceed with the international campaign to encourage local people and overseas tourist to visit and spend their money at non netted beaches where there is a priority to look after and protect the local and migrating marine life and provide more effective, non lethal shark mitigation technology.”
Dear Ballina Mayor,
David Wright
I would like to ask for a meeting with representatives of the Ballina Chamber of Commerce, the Ballina Mayor, myself and other marine conservationists to discuss the non lethal alternatives to the shark net program currently proposed in your region. I have heard from various spokes people that a down turn in tourism after an unwanted shark encounter is a major concern for business people from the Ballina shire.
I have been talking with other marine conservationist and have come up with a list of non lethal ideas and activities that should be capable of preventing an unwanted shark encounter and has the potential to encourage people, rather than discourage people, to Ballina’s beaches.
I am currently involved in a public education campaign to inform beach users to the ineffectiveness of shark nets. If the shark nets get installed off Ballina’s beaches I and others will be doing a media event where we swim under the shark nets to show their ineffectiveness at stopping an unwanted shark encounter. If humans can swim under the nets then surely sharks can.
It appears that the shark net fallacy to attract tourism is just that, a fallacy and if/when an unwanted shark encounter occurs at a ‘netted’ beach this fallacy will be expose and so will your tourist industry. You will then have no where to run. This just occurred at Avoca netted beach and the local council is in severe damage control. Better to incorporate more effective, new, non lethal technology, now.
As part of the campaign to remove Shark nets, (that don’t work) we (a coalition of marine conservation groups) plan to encourage local people and overseas tourist to visit and spend their money at non netted beaches where there is a priority to look after and protect the local and migrating marine life and provide more effective, non lethal shark mitigation technology e.g. shark watch, drum lines, spotters, education etc. When/if we launch this campaign we will be encourage people to avoid Shark netted beaches though out Australia.
This international campaign has not been rolled out yet as we are trusting all shires and all levels of government do not install shark nets or that they remove all shark nets asap.
I trust we can work together to find a solution that serves everyone and provides the utmost safety for water users.
see rally info at https://www.facebook.com/events/219634585241479/
and more info at www.migaloo2.com.
https://www.facebook.com/Migaloo2/