NSW Government Rejects Shark Cull Calls After Four Attacks in 48 Hours
Four shark attacks occurring within just 48 hours have captured international headlines and sparked renewed demands for a shark cull in New South Wales, with two victims still fighting for their lives in hospital. This unprecedented cluster of incidents across Sydney's iconic beaches and harbour has intensified pressure on the state government to implement decisive action.
Government Stands Firm on Prevention Over Lethal Measures
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty has firmly ruled out implementing a shark cull, emphasising that authorities are prioritising prevention, comprehensive monitoring, and public awareness campaigns rather than resorting to lethal measures. "It's not something that we're looking at at the moment," Moriarty stated during an interview on Sunrise on Wednesday morning.
She outlined the state's existing shark management strategy, which includes:
- Deployment of smart drumlines
- An extensive shark tagging and tracking operation
- Increased drone surveillance on beaches this summer
"We've got more drones on our beaches than we've ever had before this summer," Moriarty added, highlighting the government's technological approach to safety.
"We're Sharing the Ocean": Minister Urges Public Caution
Minister Moriarty described the recent days as devastating for New South Wales, extending her sympathies to the attack victims. She strongly encouraged beachgoers to download the official Shark Smart app, which provides real-time tracking of shark movements along the coast.
"I encourage people to download that app and check the information about shark movements, but we're not looking at a cull at this stage," she reiterated. The minister noted that recent severe storms across Sydney may have contributed to increased shark activity closer to shore, as such conditions are known to influence marine behaviour.
"There are bull sharks in our harbour pretty much every day, and we've got white sharks and other sharks across our ocean," Moriarty explained, underscoring the shared nature of the marine environment. She issued specific warnings about swimming during higher-risk periods:
- At dawn and dusk
- Following heavy rainfall events
"With the last couple of days, we have been saying to people, don't go in the water. It's been particularly risky following the storms," she advised. "People can still enjoy going to the beach, but I would encourage people to access that information, to make informed decisions. We're sharing the ocean. There are sharks on our beaches."
Moriarty acknowledged there is "no silver bullet" for preventing shark encounters, stating "We can't be in every single part of the ocean."
Political Pressure Mounts as Tony Abbott Renews Cull Demands
Former prime minister Tony Abbott has led calls for the reintroduction of commercial shark fishing, including within Sydney Harbour, arguing that current protective measures have gone too far. "There needs to be fewer sharks," Abbott told news.com.au. "The obvious thing is to restore the old shark fishery, including in Sydney Harbour."
In a subsequent Facebook post, Abbott contended that "This didn't happen because of the weather or the time of day but because there are too many sharks." He added, "We cannot put the protection of sharks ahead of the safety of people." Abbott, an avid surfer, has consistently advocated for shark culls and previously called for the expansion of shark nets across regional NSW beaches.
Shark Nets to Remain Despite Environmental Concerns
NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed that shark nets would remain installed at beaches in Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong, despite ongoing environmental concerns about their impact on marine life. Speaking on 2GB radio, Premier Minns stated, "We've decided that we're keeping them despite the fact that there's pressure to remove them."
"The truth of the matter is, we can't have a situation where they're removed, and we have further shark attacks on major metropolitan beaches," he explained. The government had previously suspended a planned trial to reduce shark nets following the fatal shark attack on 57-year-old surfer Mercury Psillakis off Long Reef Beach at Dee Why last year.
Victims' Conditions and Attack Details
A New South Wales man remains in critical condition after being attacked by a shark at Manly Beach on Monday night. In a separate incident on Tuesday, another man was attacked on the NSW mid-north coast, sustaining a chest wound while the shark also bit his surfboard, leaving visible bite marks on both the equipment and his wetsuit.
This attack marked the fourth shark incident at Sydney beaches in just over 24 hours. Earlier on Monday, an 11-year-old boy had his surfboard bitten at Dee Why. A day earlier, a young swimmer was seriously injured in a shark attack at Vaucluse in Sydney Harbour and continues to fight for his life in hospital.
Heightened Alert for Australia Day Long Weekend
With the Australia Day long weekend approaching and temperatures forecast to reach 35 degrees Celsius in Sydney on Sunday, authorities are urging swimmers to exercise extreme caution. Beachgoers are advised to check safety alerts through the Shark Smart app and heed official warnings before entering the water, particularly given the recent spike in shark activity along the NSW coastline.
