August 1 - 31, 2026: Issue 657

 

Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program 2025/26 Annual Performance Report

Bilgola, December 8, 2023. Photo; via GIPA, Humane World for Animals Australia

Among recent announcements prior to the July 2026 Winter School holidays break were one from Surf Lifesaving NSW about them installing Shark Bite Kits at every surf club, the NSW State Government announcements of drones for boardrider clubs and a late June confirmation it is expanding its investment in shark-spotting drone technology with year-round coverage, while SLS NSW shared data just last week that in July 2026 25 thousand plus flights have been undertaken under the program. 


Through this rolling out of announcements, the data published in the Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program 2025/26 Annual Performance Report, which was released quietly the same month (July 2026), may not have yet been scrutinised by residents in coastal communities such as ours. Much as mitigating the trauma our community has experienced over the past 2025-2026 SMP report period through the announcement of these safety measures has been welcomed, the community still wants to examine the data in the annual Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program 2025/26 Annual Performance Report.

The 2025-2026 Report states 'In 2024, the NSW Government released the state’s 2024-25 Shark Management Program, which included the Shark Meshing Program (SMP) and its suite of new measures to increase protections for marine life, including:

  • the removal of shark nets one month earlier, on 31 March 2025, to respond to increased turtle activity in April
  • increasing the frequency of net inspections by contractors during February and March from every 3rd day to every 2nd day
  • - SLS NSW drone surveillance of nets during February and March to check for non-target fauna on the days contractors aren’t inspecting
  • - trial of LED lights on 21 nets from Blacksmiths to Warriewood beaches during February and March to deter turtles and prevent their entanglement.

These modifications were formally adopted and incorporated into the 2024 MP under which the 2025/26 meshing program was managed. The 2025/26 meshing program also expanded the use of LED lights to cover all 51 nets from Newcastle to Wollongong.

The objectives of the JMA are to: minimise the impact of the SMP on threatened and protected species; and ensure that the SMP does not jeopardise the survival or conservation status of threatened species or cause species that are not currently threatened to become threatened.  The JMA and the Management Plan require an Annual Performance Report to be prepared and submitted to the parties to the JMA and relevant Scientific Committees convened under the FM Act and BC Act by 31 July each year.'

174 interactions with non-target animals caught in the nets: 48 of these threatened species

this year's report states a total of 210 marine animals were caught in the SMP during the 2025/26 meshing season, comprised of 36 target sharks and 174 non-target animals. Seventy animals (33%) were released alive.

The 36 target sharks comprised 23 White Sharks, 9 Tiger Sharks and 4 Bull Sharks.

The 174 interactions with non-target animals consisted of:

  • 99 non-target sharks, including 34 Smooth Hammerhead Sharks; 14 Dusky Whaler Sharks*; 13 Bronze Whaler Sharks*; 10 Greynurse Sharks; 8 Spinner Sharks*; 4 Shortfin Mako Sharks*; 4 Broadnose Sevengill Sharks*; 3 Common Blacktip Sharks*; 2 unidentified sharks; 2 Australian Angel Sharks; 1 Eastern Angel Shark; 1 Great Hammerhead Shark; 1 Scalloped Hammerhead Shark; 1 unidentified whaler species*; and 1 Silky Shark* (* reported as target sharks prior to 2017).
  • 58 rays, including 33 Southern Eagle Rays; 23 Australian Cownose Rays; 1 Black Stingray; and 1 Smooth Stingray.
  • 11 marine reptiles comprised of: 5 Green Turtles; 2 Leatherback Turtles; 2 Loggerhead Turtles; 1 Hawksbill Turtle; and 1 unidentified turtle.
  • 2 marine mammals comprised of: 2 Humpback Whales; and
  • 4 interactions with finfish (2 Australian Bonito, 1 Black Marlin and 1 Yellowtail Kingfish

There were forty-eight (23%) of the interactions were with threatened species comprised of: 23 White Sharks, 10 Greynurse Sharks, 5 Green Turtles, 2 Leatherback Turtles, 2 Loggerhead Turtles, 2 Humpback Whales, 1 Hawksbill Turtle, 1 unidentified turtle,1 Great Hammerhead Shark and 1 Scalloped Hammerhead Shark.

The observer program was implemented with observers present on 9.6% of all net checks (hauls/runs) undertaken by SMP contractors. Observers continued to focus on ensuring collection of biological samples in accordance with the Strategic Research and Monitoring Program. Biological samples were taken from 94 animals (1 alive, 93 dead) entangled in the nets in 2025/26. 

The report states the trigger point for the objective of ‘minimising the impact on non-target species and threatened species’ was not breached in 2025/26. 

Nine verified unprovoked shark-human interactions

During the 2025/26 meshing season (1 September 2025 – 31 March 2026), there were nine verified, unprovoked shark-human interactions recorded in NSW waters (eight at ocean beaches and one in an estuary). 

Three interactions were outside the SMP area of operation and occurred at: Kylies Beach, Diamond Head (fatality attributed to a bull shark); South West Rocks (minor injury from a wobbegong); and Point Plomer, Crescent Head (minor injury attributed to a bull shark). The unprovoked interaction that occurred in an estuary was at Nielsen Park, Vaucluse (Sydney Harbour) resulting in a fatality attributed to a bull shark. 

Five of these interactions were at meshed beaches of the SMP and occurred at: 

  • Dee Why Beach in September 2025, fatality attributed to a white shark; 
  • Avalon Beach in January 2026, minor injury attributed to a wobbegong; 
  • Dee Why Beach in January, surfboard bitten by a bull shark; 
  • North Steyne Beach in January, serious injury attributed to a bull shark; and 
  • Dee Why Beach in February, no injury as surfer was chased onto wave by unidentified shark.

Outside of the dates for this SMP report, Leah Stewart was rescued by Newport's Charlie Verco after a shark injury sustained just after 11am on Saturday 13 June, 2026.

The fatality and serious injury breached the trigger point for ‘reducing the risk to humans from shark attacks at beaches of the SMP’ during the 2025/26 meshing. Prior to these 5 interactions at meshed beaches in 2025/26, the highest was 3 interactions at meshed beaches in 2011/12, 2008/09 and 1999/00, none of which were fatal. 

The Management Plan trigger points related to the other objectives of ‘minimise OHS risks associated with implementing the SMP’ and ‘transparent monitoring and reporting’ were not breached in 2025/26. 

In 2025/26, DPIRD met all requirements of the JMA and associated Management Plan, the report states.

Further, in 2025/26, the report states: 'The trigger point for the objective of ‘reduce the risk to humans from shark bites at beaches of the SMP’ was breached during the 2025/26 meshing season with two separate serious shark-human interactions at meshed beaches. Both interactions involved surfers with one sustaining fatal injuries and the other sustaining serious injuries. DPIRD will complete a review report for this trigger point within six months of the publication of this 2025/26 Annual Performance Report'.

Number of sharks sighted by Surf Life Saving (SLS) NSW 2025-2026: 2025/26 SMP Report

  • Sydney: 27
  • Central Coast: 41
  • Illawarra: 140
  • Hunter: 48
  • Total: 256

Sydney beach visitations: 1,353,396

The report records weather during the most recent Summer was particularly inclement, including substantial rain downpours along the entire NSW coastal belt. Turbid waters and rough sea conditions will also have contributed to the lowest visitation numbers for the decade. Although most regions saw a downturn in visitations, this was most evident in the Sydney region where a spate of shark attacks in January 2026 severely impacted public psyche, even leading to many schools aborting ocean-based activities.

The report states 'DPIRD supported research into unmanned aerial vehicle applicability for marine and coastal research has demonstrated that drones are an effective assessment tool to quantify beach users across a range of environmental conditions and thereby improve coastal management decisions (Provost et al., 2019). DPIRD have increased support to SLS NSW with drones and training of lifesavers so that 80 (and increased to over 90 in 2026/27) beaches are now patrolled with drones for seven days of the week until the end of the April school holidays. Additionally, drones and training of pilots have been provided to Surfing NSW for boardrider clubs to use during surfing competitions and training activities. Finally, an increase in community outreach through the SharkSmart education program has been supported with the enhanced budgets allocated to the Shark Management Program. It is envisaged that these additional endeavours will allay the fears experienced during the past summer and will entice the public to enjoy NSW beaches over the next year.'

Review effectiveness of meshing operations used in shark control programs Status: Ongoing. 

Review NSW shark meshing net configurations. 

The report records Activities in 2025/26 were: Analysis of catches comparing shark nets with SMART drumlines indicate that SMART drumlines are more effective in catching White Sharks, however very few Bull or Tiger Sharks are caught in either gear (Butcher et al., 2025). Recent analysis of bull shark captures in the Queensland (QLD) Shark Control Program indicated that the traditional drumlines used in QLD caught more bull sharks of all size classes than nets; however, nets caught larger bull sharks (Banaghan et al., 2025) in the size range of sharks considered potentially dangerous and therefore a target for bather protection programs. Results support previous analyses of South African and Queensland bather protection programs which suggested a combination of nets and baited hooks (drumlines) represent the most effective shark catching methodology (Dudley, 1997; Gribble et al., 1998). Butcher et al. (2025) also reiterate the high bycatch mortalities incurred by the shark nets compared to SMART drumlines and support the concept of replacing nets with SMART drumlines off high bycatch beaches (see Niella et al., 2021b). Due to potential for proximal captures, it is recommended that 2-3 drumlines would provide similar fishing effort to a net (Butcher et al., 2025). While not every beach that has a net currently has a SMART drumline, across the entire SMP region, the current configuration of SMART drumlines is consistent with that recommendation, i.e. there are 51 nets and 138 SMART drumlines. Previous: refer to the 2022/23 Annual Performance Report 

Review the application of other shark control measures for use in NSW (e.g., drumlines). 

The report records Activities in 2025/26 were: The investigation into the efficacy of shark nets, SMART drumlines, drones and VR4G shark listening stations in reducing shark-human interactions, highlighted the difficulty of allocating statistical significance to mitigating against incidents like shark bites which are so few and far between (Huveneers et al., 2024). Although no new studies investigating the efficacy of any of these devices were conducted during the past year, the ability to use environmental DNA (eDNA) in the water column was determined to be effective at detecting white shark presence in NSW nearshore waters (Clark et al., 2025b). The limiting factor to using this technique for shark bite mitigation is a current inability to analyse eDNA in real time; however, this tool will potentially contribute to enhanced understanding of shark nearshore habitat use as the eDNA results indicated higher temporal detection rates than either SMART drumline catches or acoustic detection rates (Clark et al., 2025b).

Monitoring of all shark attacks 

When an attack occurs in NSW the DPIRD Fisheries Shark Scientist or delegate interviews the victims, where they are willing to cooperate, and seeks as much information and evidence of shark identification as can be attained. This includes scale-bar photography of wounds requested from responders/surgeons, examination of wounds and damage to surf craft or clothing/diving materials that show evidence of bite marks and collection of any tooth fragments for analysis to help determine shark species. The Shark Scientist also provides key media support following shark attacks in NSW providing balanced information to the community on the reasonable level of threat. While the focus of this annual report is on interactions at meshed and unmeshed ocean beaches during the meshing season, DPIRD monitors all incidents in NSW waters, and the following details are for all incidents in the 2025/26 financial year, not just within the meshing season. 

A total of 15 verified shark interactions were reported and investigated by DPIRD in NSW waters during 2025/26. These interactions included: 

  • three interactions with White Sharks - Tathra Beach (no injury), Cabarita Beach (no injury), and Dee Why Beach, Sydney (fatal injury);
  • five interactions with Bull Sharks (four at ocean beaches and one in an estuary) - Kylies Beach, Diamond Head (fatal injury), Steele Point, Sydney Harbour (fatal injury), Dee Why Beach, Sydney (uninjured, but board bitten), North Steyne Beach, Sydney (serious injury), and Point Plomer, Crescent Head (minor injury); 
  • four with wobbegong sharks - Southwest Rocks (minor injury), Avalon Beach in Sydney (minor injury), North Entrance Beach, Central Coast (no injury), and Bronte beach in Sydney (minor injury); 
  • one interaction with a Greynurse Shark at Avoca Beach (no injury); and 
  •  two interactions with an unidentified species - Dee Why Beach resulting in no injuries, and at Coogee Beach in June resulting in serious injuries. 

Five of these interactions occurred at a meshed beach.

Population trends and patterns of movements of dangerous sharks and attack behaviour

The 2025-2026 SMP report states 'DPIRD has sourced information from relevant agencies during 2025/26 and is continuing collaborative research into trends and patterns of movements of target sharks (refer to Table 3 section 2.3 of report). Information available to date does not necessitate any changes to the SMP'.

More shark drones welcomed but the NSW Government is still ignoring the science on shark nets: Humane World for Animals Australia

On June 28, 2026 the Humane World for Animals said the ''NSW Government’s announcement today of year-round and early morning drone coverage is excellent news for beach safety but as New South Wales residents seek answers to reduce shark bite risk, the government has signalled no intent to stop wasting taxpayer money on shark nets, which entangle animals and attract sharks nearer shore''. 

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced today a $34 million investment in the state’s shark monitoring program that will see year-round drone monitoring at more than 70 beaches with patrols beginning earlier in the day, at 6.15am. 

“This expansion of drone surveillance across Sydney’s beaches is fantastic news for ocean-goers,” said Humane World for Animals Australia (previously known as Humane Society International Australia)’s marine biologist, Lawrence Chlebeck. “Drones represent the best way to keep an eye out and patrols commencing earlier will make a big difference to reducing the risk of shark bites.”  

While comprehensive drone coverage marks great progress for public safety in Sydney’s beaches, Mr Chlebeck said shark nets remain a stain on the state’s government’s approach to shark management. 

“The public needs all of the Government’s shark bite risk strategies to be based on science,” said Mr Chlebeck. “But the Government’s continued trust in outdated shark nets is misplaced and undermines the strategy. All the shark nets do is entangle animals, which attracts sharks nearer to shore. If you want to improve shark safety, the worst thing you can do is kill animals and leave them to rot next to our beaches. We’ve seen photo after photo of carcasses pulled from shark nets with large bites taken from them. The nets are detrimental to public safety.” 

Science over sensationalism: a shark cull won’t make our beaches safer. Here’s what will.

Lawrence Chlebeck, Humane Society International (Australia), stated on August 11, 2026

''Shark bites over the last two years have rocked the New South Wales surfing and ocean-going community and understandably, it’s left everyone asking what can be done about them. In response, the NSW Government have unveiled a substantial investment in drone patrols that will undoubtedly make our waters safer.  

But while these will help, modern, effective technologies like drones and AI stand in stark contrast to archaic and ineffective shark nets that continue to undermine public safety. They need to be retired, and we need to understand that further shark culling will not make our beaches safer. 

The species we worry about in New South Wales are the great white, tiger and bull shark. The behaviours of each of these sharks tells you a lot about why culling has not worked in the past and will not work today.  

Culling for public safety assumes that a local population of sharks can be reduced by fishing. Bulls, tigers and whites range the entire east coast, are seasonally migratory and are more or less constantly on the move. There’s no such thing as a “local population”. Imagine culling like towing a car from a busy beach car park: as soon as a spot opens up, it is immediately filled by the next passing car. 

On top of being an ineffective way to reduce the number of sharks, culling activities attract sharks nearer to beaches and stimulate feeding behaviour. Baited drumlines and targeted fishing use bait and add blood, viscera and animal carcasses to the water, drawing in and exciting sharks, making the areas in which culling occurs far more dangerous. 

This all begs the question: do we want to kill sharks or do we want to improve safety?  

These things are not one and the same and there’s mountains of evidence to prove it. In 2019, Humane World for Animals Australia challenged shark culling in the Great Barrier Reef in court, with judges finding that: 

Modern scientific consensus is that the risk of shark bite is not related to shark abundance but rather abundance of ocean users and other external factors such as anomalous weather events. We are convinced that shark culling does not reduce the risk of shark attack on the individual – the scientific evidence before us is overwhelming in this regard.2 

And history backs this up. Between 1959 and 1976, Hawaii culled 4,668 sharks, yet no difference in the rate of shark bites was found.3 

In fact, in all of recent history, the only instance where a tenuous link exists between culling and a reduction in shark bites occurred in the French territory of Réunion, where the government implemented a cull of target species (bulls and tigers) as a part of a suite of measures. Thankfully, the bites stopped. But was it because of the culling?  

Introduced at the same time as the culling were drone surveillance, swimming enclosures, mandates to wear personal shark deterrents in certain areas as well as the complete closure of areas to swimming and surfing. All these measures implemented at once leaves it less clear as to what caused the bites to stop.  

It’s important to remember that only 53 bull sharks were culled from 2018-2022 in Réunion. And the simple fact that there are more than 53 bull sharks in the Indian Ocean, suggests that culling wasn’t the reason. Logic tells us it was something else the people of Reunion did to protect themselves. 

So, if not a cull, then what can we do? Year-round drone patrols from dawn until dusk at 70 beaches along the NSW coastline will make the New South Wales shark drone monitoring program the most extensive in the world, providing much more vigilant shark surveillance for ocean users moving forward.  

With more eyes in the sky, we will see more sharks and more sharks near swimmers and surfers. It’s critical we manage expectations here. We have always shared the ocean with sharks, we are just going to be more aware of how close we come to them. 

The next step is for shark nets to be removed from New South Wales waters as soon as possible. Dead and dying wildlife in shark nets attract sharks and the last three shark bite incidents on Sydney’s northern beaches occurred near shark nets.  

Culling sharks might make some people feel better, but it would be at best a placebo, and it may even be counterproductive. Do we want the community to feel safer, or do we actually want to reduce the risk of shark bite? It’s important we listen to science, not sensationalists. More drones up and the nets out. For safer beaches and safer swimmers and surfers.''

Fast facts on shark nets: Humane World for Animals Australia

  • Shark nets are deployed at 51 beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong each summer, with the program dating back to 1937.  
  • Shark nets are not barriers. Very different to the shark enclosures at harbour beaches, the shark nets at issue are 150 metre-long fishing nets installed 500 metres off ocean beaches designed to ensnare sharks. 
  • 37 bites have occurred at beaches with shark nets. The last three shark incidents on Sydney’s northern beaches all occurred in the vicinity of shark nets. 
  • 90% of animals caught in shark nets are not target shark species and includes Critically Endangered wildlife.  
  • Shark nets do not reduce the risk of shark bite. Sharks can easily swim around them and in fact, 40% of sharks caught in them are caught on the beach side of the net. 

Humane World for Animals Australia stated it supports a modern, non-lethal approach to shark bite risk mitigation. 

Damaged Nets

There were twenty reports of nets being damaged during the 2025/26 season, including six at local beaches, comprising: 

  • 01 October 2025 – Sydney North contractor reported that the net at Mona Vale beach had been destroyed and was in approximately 10 pieces. All ropes, floats and mesh were recovered, suspected whale damage;
  • 22 October 2025 – Sydney North contractor reported a large hole approximately 4m x 4m in the Mona Vale net. All ropes and mesh were recovered; 
  • 22 October 2025 – Sydney North contractor reported that the Bilgola net has suffered a lot of suspected shark damage with the foot rope bitten through and a large hole in a section of mesh. All gear recovered;
  • 27 October 2025 – Sydney North contractor reported a large 3m x 3m rip in the Avalon shark net. All gear recovered;
  • 19 December 2025 – Sydney Central contractor and SMP Observer reported the net at North Steyne had sustained damage with cut mesh and a sliced lead line being observed. Suspected that an animal may have been cut free but unclear. All ropes, floats and mesh were recovered;
  • 08 February 2026 – Sydney North contractor reported two 4m x 4m holes in the Whale beach net. All ropes, mesh and floats were recovered;

There were three reports of vandalism during the 2025/26 season at local beaches, comprising:

  • 05 September 2025 - Sydney North contractor reported that the pickup floats and LED lights plus cetacean acoustic alarms were missing from the Bilgola beach net; 
  • 13 October 2025 – Sydney North contractor reported that the net at Palm Beach and the Mona Vale shark net had the main floats dragged through the centre of the net. This movement of floats could not occur due to sea conditions or by an accident as floats were dragged from opposite ends of the net.

There were also extreme and adverse weather conditions throughout 2025/26 season resulting in many of the contractors removing their nets from the water to reduce the chances of losing them. During the 2025/26 meshing season there were three reports of nets or part of nets being lost, including one at Curl Curl:

  • 21 January 2026 – Sydney Central contractor reported that the shark net at Curl Curl beach was missing, due to the large swell over the previous couple of days. On 29 January 2026 contractor reported that the net and all gear had been found;

Distribution, abundance, biology, and ecology of non-target species affected by the SMP

The report records Activities in 2025/26 were: Eight whole carcasses of non-target animals caught in the SMP were collected during the 2025/26 period to contribute to sample requests from several Universities. Necropsies of marine mammals and sea turtles caught in the SMP were conducted in collaboration with Taronga Zoo, NSW DCCEEW and the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) during the 2025/26 SMP season. Samples for a genomics study were collected from three deceased Greynurse Sharks. Three non-target species were tagged prior to release during the 2025/26 SMP period.

Common Name -  Sample Type and Number - Total Number Dead for the season 

  • Australian Angel Shark - Genetics = 1 - 1 
  • Australian Cownose Ray - Genetics = 1 - 7 
  • Broadnose Sevengill Shark Genetics = 1, Vertebrae = 1 - 4 
  • Bronze Whaler - Genetics = 9, Vertebrae = 6 - 11 
  • Bull Shark - Genetics = 1, Vertebrae = 1 - 3 
  • Common Blacktip - Genetics = 2, Vertebrae = 2 - 3 
  • Dusky Whaler - Genetics = 5, Vertebrae = 5, Whole = 1 - 11 
  • Great Hammerhead - Isotope = 1, Genetics = 1 - 1 
  • Green Turtle - Genetics = 1, Whole = 2 - 3 
  • Greynurse Shark - Isotope = 1, Genetics = 3, Vertebrae = 2 - 3 
  • Hawksbill Turtle - Genetics = 1 - 1 
  • Scalloped Hammerhead - Genetics = 1 - 1 
  • Shortfin Mako - Genetics = 1, Vertebrae = 1, Whole = 1 - 4 
  • Smooth Hammerhead Genetics = 23, Vertebrae = 4, Whole = 3 34 
  • Southern Eagle Ray - Isotope = 2, Genetics = 1-  11 
  • Spinner Shark - Genetics = 6, Vertebrae = 6, Whole = 1 - 7 
  • Tiger Shark - Genetics = 3, Vertebrae = 2 - 7 
  • Whaler - unknown species Genetics = 1 - 1 
  • White Shark - Isotope = 1, Genetics = 10, Vertebrae = 9, Whole = 7 - 18

Forty-eight of those 210 interactions were with threatened or protected species, including:

  • 23 White Sharks (18 dead, 5 released alive)
  • 10 Greynurse Sharks (3 dead, 7 released alive)
  • 5 Green Turtles (3 dead, 2 released alive)
  • 2 Leatherback Turtles (both released alive)
  • 2 Loggerhead Turtles (1 dead, 1 released alive)
  • 2 Humpback Whales (1 dead, 1 released alive)
  • 1 Great Hammerhead Shark (dead)
  • 1 Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (dead)
  • 1 Hawksbill Turtle (dead)
  • 1 unidentified turtle (released alive)

In addition, there were 149 interactions with other non-target species, including:

  • 58 Rays (19 dead, 39 released alive)
  • 34 Smooth Hammerheads (dead)
  • 14 Dusky Whalers* (11 dead, 3 released alive)
  • 13 Bronze Whalers* (11 dead, 2 released alive)
  • 8 Spinner Sharks* (7 dead, 1 released alive)
  • 4 Shortfin Makos* (dead)
  • 4 Broadnose Sevengill Sharks* (dead)
  • 3 Common Blacktips* (dead)
  • 2 unidentified sharks (dead)
  • 2 Australian Angel Sharks (1 dead, 1 released alive)
  • 2 Australian Bonito (dead)
  • 1 Eastern Angel Shark (released alive)
  • 1 Silky Shark* (released alive)
  • 1 unidentified whaler species* (dead)
  • 1 Yellowtail Kingfish (dead)
  • 1 Black Marlin (dead)

* prior to 2017/18 meshing season, these species were reported as ‘target species’

The report records Batoids (rays and skates) continue to comprise the greatest proportion of catches in the SMP at 28%, followed by Smooth Hammerheads at 16%, the collective group of ‘target sharks’ (Bull, White, and Tiger Sharks) accounted for approximately 17%, and Greynurse Sharks accounted for 5%. 

Sydney North catch data

The report data records the following for the SMP in the Warriewood to Palm Beach peninsula:

Target sharks:

  • Galeocerdo cuvier Tiger Shark: 4 – across entire state SMP data 9 were caught in nets: 7 dead, 2 released alive

Non-target sharks and rays:

  • Squatina albipunctata Eastern Angel Shark: 1 - across entire state SMP data 2 were caught in nets: 1 dead, 1 released alive
  • Carcharhinus obscurus Dusky Whaler: 2  - across entire state SMP data 14 were caught in nets: 14 dead
  • Isurus oxyrinchus Shortfin Mako: 1 -  across entire state SMP data 4 were caught in nets: 4 dead
  • Carcharhinus limbatus Common Blacktip: 1 -  across entire state SMP data 3 were caught in nets: 3 dead
  • Sphyrna zygaena Smooth Hammerhead Shark: 3  across entire state SMP data 34 were caught in nets: 34 dead
  • Myliobatis australis Southern Eagle Ray: 3  - across entire state SMP data 33 were caught in nets: 22 released alive 11 dead
  • Rhinoptera neglecta Australian Cownose Ray: 3  - across entire state SMP data 23 were caught in nets: 16 released alive 7 dead

Non-Target Marine Mammals, Reptiles and Birds

  • Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill Turtle: 1  across entire state SMP data 1 were caught in nets: 1 dead
  • Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback Whale: 1 -  across entire state SMP data 2 were caught in nets: 1- released alive 1 dead **

** In October 2025 a humpback whale calf was found drowned after entanglement in a shark net off Coledale Beach, near Wollongong NSW. The dead whale was found still bound in the shark net, near Wombarra. 

Mona Vale, March 13, 2024. Photo; via GIPA, Humane World for Animals Australia

Sydney Central Data

The report data records the following for the SMP in the North Narrabeen to Manly beaches:

Target Sharks

  • none

Non-Target Sharks and Rays

  • Carcharhinus sp. unidentified whaler species - 1 - dead
  • Sphyrna zygaena Smooth Hammerhead Shark - 3 - all 3 dead
  • Myliobatis australis Southern Eagle Ray - 1
  • Rhinoptera neglecta Australian Cownose Ray - 3

Non-Target Marine Mammals, Reptiles and Birds

  • none

Non-Target Finfish

  • Seriola lalandi Yellowtail Kingfish - 1 - dead

Patterns of movements of non-target marine animals 

The report states 'DPIRD continues working with relevant agencies and reviewed available information during 2025/26. The apparent movement of threatened species of sea turtles into NSW nearshore waters and subsequent capture during April 2024 has led to removal of nets for an additional month (April) and increased checking of the nets for captures during February and March via contractor inspections every second day (every 48 hours instead of 72 hours) and drone surveillance by SLS NSW on the alternate days. This is the largest change to the SMP since the initiation of the Joint Management Agreement and associated Management Plan, highlighting the value of ongoing assessment of the program and initiating adaptive management strategies to minimise environmental impact of the program. No new data on other non-target species were published during the past year that would affect SMP activities

Threatened species recovery plan reviews 

The 2025-2026 SMP Report states: 'With the exception of a Population Viability Analysis for Leatherback Turtles (unpublished) which highlighted the precarious status of this species and the urgent need to reduce human-induced mortalities, no new recovery plans were prepared in 2025/26 and DPIRD is not aware of any new information that would necessitate any changes to the SMP'. 

Contractor compliance

Two compliance issues were identified during the 2025/26 meshing season. Contractor failed to inform Senior Manager Shark Programs within given timeframes that a net was missing and that a net had not been set at a given beach. Issues were discussed with contractor and written breach notice issued. Minor net issues identified by SMP Observers were rectified on the spot by contractors during preseason net inspections.

Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Conservation status - National: Vulnerable - The World Conservation Union classifies E. imbricata as critically endangered, primarily as a result of human fishing practices. Hawksbill shells were the primary source of tortoiseshell material used for decorative purposes. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species regulates the international trade of hawksbill sea turtles and products derived from them.

EPBC Act Status and Documents - Eretmochelys imbricata - Hawksbill turtle

Distribution and habitats

Hawksbill turtles typically occur in tidal and sub-tidal coral and rocky reef habitats throughout tropical waters, extending into warm temperate areas as far south as northern New South Wales. In Australia the main feeding area extends along the east coast, including the Great Barrier Reef. Other feeding areas include Torres Strait and the archipelagos of the Northern Territory and Western Australia, possibly as far south as Shark Bay or beyond. Hawksbill turtles also feed at Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

However, apart from the one that died on the nets here - Sydney North (Warriewood to Palm Beach) another was rescued in December 2025 at Beares Beach near Bermagui.

Breeding areas and nesting seasons

Along the Great Barrier Reef, hawksbill turtles nest in low numbers from just north of Princess Charlotte Bay to Torres Strait. Nesting also occurs in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Two major breeding areas occur in Australia:

Northern Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and northeastern Arnhem Land have several significant nesting areas including: Milman, and Bouydong Islands in the northern Great BarrierReef; Sassie, Hawkesbury, Dayman, Zuizin, Mimi, Bourke, Aukane, Layoak, Bet, Saddle, Dabalai, Albany and Mt Adolphus Islands in Torres Strait; and Lane, northeastern beaches of Groote Eylandt, Hawk, North East, Truant, Hawksnest and Bustad Islands in north east Arnem Land.

The north-west shelf of Western Australia has several significant nesting areas within the Dampier Archipelago and the Montebello Islands. Lower density nesting is known from the Lowendal Islands, Varanus, Barrow, and Muiron Islands and the mainland. This is one of the largest hawksbill turtle populations remaining in the world.

Although hawksbill turtles breed throughout the year, the peak nesting period in the Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef region occurs between January and February. In Arnhem Land, nesting peaks between July and October. The Western Australian nesting season occurs primarily from October to January, but the entire breeding season remains undefined.

Appearance: Distinct hawk-like V-shaped beak and overlapping shell scales (scutes) in amber, brown, and yellow.

Diet: Specialised feeders that primarily eat marine sponges, helping keep coral reefs healthy.

Size: Adult hawksbill sea turtles typically grow to 1 m (3 ft) in length, weighing around 80 kg (180 lb) on average. The heaviest hawksbill ever captured weighed 127 kg (280 lb). The turtle's shell, or carapace, has an amber background patterned with an irregular combination of light and dark streaks, with predominantly black and mottled-brown colours radiating to the sides.

Several characteristics of the hawksbill sea turtle distinguish it from other sea turtle species. Its elongated, tapered head ends in a beak-like mouth (from which its common name is derived), and its beak is more sharply pronounced and hooked than others. The hawksbill's forelimbs have two visible claws on each flipper.

A readily distinguished characteristic of the hawksbill is the pattern of thick scutes that make up its carapace. While its carapace has five central scutes and four pairs of lateral scutes like several members of its family, E. imbricata's posterior scutes overlap in such a way as to give the rear margin of its carapace a serrated look, similar to the edge of a saw or a steak knife. The turtle's carapace can reach almost 1 m (3 ft) in length.

Close-up of the hawksbill's distinctive beak. Photo: Tom Doeppner 

Survival Threats

Tortoiseshell Trade: Hunted illegally for centuries for commercial "tortoiseshell" jewellery and decorations.

Bycatch: Accidental capture in gillnets, shark nets and on commercial fishing hooks.

Habitat Loss: Coastal development destroys nesting beaches while climate warming damages coral reef ecosystems.

Young E. imbricata from Réunion Island. Photo: B.navez

References - Notes - Prior Reports

References  

  1. Australian Shark Incident Database, Taronga Conservation Society Australia 
  2. Humane Society International (Australia) vs Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (2019). Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court of Australia 
  3. Wetherbee (1994), A Review of Shark Control in Hawaii with Recommendations for further Research. Pacific Science (1994), vol. 48, no. 2: 95-115 
  4. Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program 2025/26 Annual Performance Report - PDF

Prior PON Reports

Over the 2025-2026 Patrol Season, SLSNSW drones undertook more than 65,000 flights and observed over 1,500 sharks. Photo taken at North Bilgola lookout - which has a view towards Avalon Beach headland as well as over Bilgola and Newport. Photo: A J Guesdon/ PON