Increased federal funding for shark mitigation urgently needed
2026-01-20
greens.org.au
The Greens call for federal leadership and funding for more effective shark bite mitigation measures in the wake of four incidents in just three days at NSW beaches.

Lines attributable to Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“The four incidents at NSW beaches in the past three days have ignited public discussion about what creates the perfect storm for shark encounters to spike, and how best to reduce risks to both ocean-goers and marine wildlife.

“This has again highlighted the urgent need for federal government leadership, starting with establishing a national summit of experts to drive shark risk education campaigns and provide better information and resources to the states. 

“This is something the Greens and shark experts have been calling for governments to implement for years.

“A Greens-led Senate inquiry into shark mitigation found the issue requires a nationally coordinated approach and the federal government needs to show leadership in striking the right balance between reducing the risk of shark encounters and conserving nature.

“The Senate inquiry recommended governments help keep ocean-goers safe by supercharging investment in modern-day alternatives to outdated and ineffective shark nets and lethal drumlines. This includes investing in public education, shark shield personal deterrent devices, shark spotter programs, eco-shark barriers, and bite-proof wetsuits.

“Resorting to lethal shark mitigation measures, such as nets and drumlines, is a lazy and ineffective approach – and evidence now shows these measures may attract sharks to beaches, where they can feed on captured marine wildlife.

“Palming off responsibility for shark bite mitigation to the states is a cop-out given many sharks and other marine creatures killed in lethal shark control programs are federally protected species.

“If we want to transition from lethal shark control programs that don’t work, to more effective and sophisticated approaches that protect marine wildlife and ocean-goers, the federal government has an important role to play.

“For the last decade successive federal governments have shown no leadership on this critical matter of public interest – and it’s time for that to change.”

Bobby. wrote on Jan 21^st, 2026 at 7:07am:


I had one close encounter when surfing (board) - no nasty bites or anythng but scary, and I was - yep - surfing alone at the time.  I find it hard to see how there would be so many more nowadays that attacks are more common.. maybe it's more people in the water.

This is from AI:-

"Scientific evidence does not support claims that overall shark populations are "booming" or rapidly increasing along the east coast of Australia
. While some protected species are showing signs of recovery, the populations of most major shark species (white, tiger, bull) are stable, declining, or, in the case of bull sharks, shifting their distribution due to climate change rather than increasing in overall numbers"

As soon as someone mentions 'climate change' my skepticism barrier goes up.... there are a few links to sharks and people - the gist seems to be more people spending more time in the ocean etc rather than shark population.  Many comments on the IDEA that 'the ocean is warming due to man's gases' etc...however:-

"The oceans have warmed significantly, absorbing about 90% of Earth's excess heat, with the top 700 meters warming roughly 1.5°F (about 0.83°C)"

I somehow feel that less than one degree C is not going to force sharks and fish to move.  Sharks are territorial anyway - our local great whites have their 'run' and so do the Grey Nurses.

Maybe we need to doubt these scientists again... if the reckon some shark species are declining yet attacks are going up .... and freediver sees plenty ... they might be looking in the wrong places.

Quote:


All wild animals are. They live the Malthusian dilemma.

Sharks are eating machines. Starving or bloated, they will still have a chomp. No different to goldfish. They will eat until the food pops out of their mouth when they go to squeeze more in.

freediver wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2026 at 6:10am:


I just watched a video of where a bull sharks jaw had been removed from it's mouth, when stimulated it would still close the muscles memory is that strong.

Considering the moronic authorities charge you if you catch one and kill it, is there any wonder  their numbers are exploding
If it is over 1 and 1/2 m.