The state government has written to Waverley, Northern Beaches and Central Coast councils asking them to join a trial to nominate a beach where shark nets could be removed.
When asked on Sunday July 27, senior government minister The Hon. Ryan Park said the government was "looking at the data" on shark nets.
"I think it's an opportunity for them to use the technology," he said.
"We know the problems with nets are widespread, in particular around getting other species of marine life caught in those areas."
Northern Beaches Council, which is among a number of coastal councils that have passed a Motion calling to remove shark nets from beaches due to the impact on non-target species, stated it "welcomed" the move by the government.
Central Coast Council said on Monday July 28:
''Central Coast Council received correspondence from the NSW Government last week, to be one of three NSW councils to take part in a trial, which would see one beach nominated in each LGA to have shark nets removed permanently. Council has until 22 August 2025 to respond to the NSW Government on a preferred approach.
Council will take a co-ordinated approach with NSW Department of Primary Industries who are responsible for the Shark Management Program and Surf Life Saving, to make an informed decision on which beach to select to trial the removal of nets for the 2025/2026 patrol season.
This will involve reviewing the current shark management program technology in place across the region, findings from the recent trial of the removal of shark nets in March 2025, visitation of beaches and any additional risk factors. ''
Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh told the ABC should shark nets be removed at Bondi Beach he expected "additional measures" to be funded.
"Waverley Council's position is clear: the safety of our community comes first," he said.
"This is why we are only supportive of shark net removal if there is a significant increase in additional shark mitigation strategies provided for and funded by the state government."
On August 1st 2024, the NSW Government announced they would shorten the shark net season by one month because of the toll on endangered turtles. The nets were subsequently removed on March 31 2025.
The Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program 2023-24 Annual Performance Report, released August 1st 2024, recorded a total of 255 marine animals were caught in the SMP during the 2023/24 meshing season, comprised of 15 target sharks and 240 non-target animals. Only ninety-two animals (36%) were released alive.
The 2024-2025 SMP Report has not yet been released.
The 2024/25 Program included a suite of new measures to be trialled, which will increase protections for marine life whilst shark nets remain in use, including:
- Removing shark nets one month earlier, on 31 March 2025, to respond to increased turtle activity in April (from 1989 - 2024 nets came out on 30 April).
- Increasing the frequency of net inspections by the net contractors during February and March from every third day to every second day.
- Using SLS NSW drones to inspect the nets during March on the days the net Contractors aren’t inspecting, effectively providing daily net inspections.
- Trial of lights on nets to deter turtles and prevent their entanglement (February-March 2025).
The shark net removals came just before it was observed sustained warm waters and the state government's listening stations, in place at North Narrabeen, Palm Beach and North Steyne, reported a prolonged presence of sharks.
See:
It's a 'Bit Sharky' out there: 5 Tagged Bull Sharks Pinged at North Narrabeen on Same Day - Bull Shark spotted at Bayview + some historical insights into Sharks in the estuary and along our beaches (March 10-16 2025 Issue 640 - Week 3)
Sea Waters off NSW retaining sustained above average heat: BOM States May 2025 Sea Surface Temperatures are highest on record + ‘Like an underwater bushfire’: SA’s marine algal bloom is still killing almost everything in its path (June 10 - 15 June 2025 Issue 642 - Week 3)
On August 2nd 2025 DPI Fisheries advised: ''tagged White Shark #2386 was detected by North Narrabeen receiver at 11:24:24 AM (AEST) on 02-August-2025. Last detected at 11:18:33 AM (AEST) on 02-August-2025 by North Narrabeen receiver. Tagged and released 08-September-2024(AEST) at Nobbys Beach, Port Macquarie''.
A ping for a White Shark off North Narrabeen occurred on Tuesday last week as well.
This past week residents have reported a Grey Nurse Shark off Bangalley Headland feasting on a salmon and a GNS swimming peacefully past them at South Avalon, along with a one approximately 4 meters long and very black with a white underbelly off Palm Beach pool which breached in front of a group of young surfers who decided to head back to shore.
Fishers report there have been a fair amount of salmon and tailor off the Barrenjoey peninsula beaches in recent weeks, which has been drawing feeding sharks closer to beaches.
The NSW DPI states the nets do not create a total barrier between people and sharks. They are designed to intercept target sharks near meshed beaches to reduce the chance of an interaction.
However, others state they may actually draw in sharks to feed in what else has been caught in them.
“The nets are not just ineffective, they may actually put swimmers at greater risk by attracting sharks closer to beaches where struggle and die in the nets. They’ve created a perfect feeding opportunity,” said Lawrence Chlebeck, Humane World for Animals, Marine Biologist.
“This progressive decision indicates the Minns government may finally be changing its stance on outdated shark nets, and heeding the science and community expectations by removing nets from these beaches. We encourage them to extend that decision to remove shark nets from all remaining beaches throughout the state as soon as possible.
“Shark nets indiscriminately kill all sorts of the marine life that makes our oceans incredible—dolphins, turtles, rays, and many smaller, non-target sharks are killed every season.”
Despite the ineffectiveness of the nets, others have expressed a desire they be kept as they feel safer swimming in waters where they know they have been installed.
The government is set to announce a decision by December.