Rally to demand shark net removal

A rally will be held at Shelly Beach on Sunday, March 5, demanding the removal of its shark net, amid fears for the safety of a loggerhead turtle nest on the beach.

Organised by the Animal Justice Party and Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast, the rally will take place on the grassed area from 10am-noon. Animal Justice Party candidate for The Entrance in the March 25 State Election, Fardin Pelarek, said almost 20 turtles have been killed in Central Coast shark nets over the past 10 years.

“And that’s just the ones we know about,” he said.

“The babies will be small enough to get through the net when they hatch, but we want to make sure mum is safe to return next year.”

Pelarek said at least 588 marine animals have been caught in nets on the Central Coast in the past seven years, 418 of which died.

“This included 330 threatened species, 10 dolphins and 18 turtles,” he said.

“Shelly beach is one of the 14 netted beaches on the Central Coast and is also the beach where this endangered loggerhead turtle mum has chosen to lay her eggs.

“The government is ignoring the wishes of our coastal community.

“Locals have made it clear: the marine animals in our waters are part of our community, and we want to protect them.

“We’ll fight to protect them.”

In 2017 a federal inquiry was held into the efficacy of shark nets and their impact on marine life.

The inquiry spanned 15 months and resulted in more than 20 recommendations, the first of which was to “phase out shark meshing programs and increase funding and support for the development and implementation of a wide range of non-lethal shark mitigation and deterrent measures”.

“Six years on, the nets are still out there killing endangered marine life indiscriminately,” Pelarek said.

“Here on the Central Coast, we have already started using more advanced, proven technologies such as specialised shark monitoring drones and a listening station in Norah Head.

“These methods have been trialled and proven effective, so why is the government wasting money on archaic shark nets, instead of investing in proven technologies?

“We need a member of parliament who cares about our oceans, and about the marine life that we share it with.”

Pelarek will speak at the rally, along with Cathy Gilmore of Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast.

Source: Media release, Feb 28 Animal Justice Party