For years, the shark nets at Coogee Beach have loomed beneath the waves—silent, unseen, and deadly. Sold as a safeguard for swimmers and surfers, they’ve tangled more than just fears; they’ve ensnared endangered marine life, turning Coogee’s iconic waters into a trap for creatures that were never meant to be caught. But now, that era is coming to an end.
People have made it clear where they stand. The shark nets at Coogee will be removed, aligning with all other NSW councils that have taken a stand against the outdated practice. The vote was the final piece of a movement years in the making, driven by science, community voices, and the undeniable evidence that shark nets don’t work.
A False Sense of Security
For some, the news might come as a shock. Shark nets have been part of Coogee’s identity for decades, a fixture of the beachscape that few questioned. But the truth? The nets have done little to keep people safe.
Lauren Sandeman, a marine biologist and expert on human-shark interactions, has spent years studying the impact of these nets. She presented her findings before the council vote, stating that since 2020, Coogee’s shark nets have failed to catch a single target shark. Instead, they’ve become a graveyard for marine life—critically endangered grey nurse sharks, sea turtles, and harmless rays caught in the mesh, never making it out alive.
More unsettling is the revelation that shark nets may be making the water more dangerous. Freedom of Information (FOI) requests have uncovered images showing large sharks feeding on dead animals trapped in the nets. This reinforces a long-held theory: rather than keeping predators out, the nets lure them in.
The Community’s Call for Change
This wasn’t a decision made lightly. The people of Sydney Eastern Suburbs—swimmers, surfers, locals, and conservationists—led the charge. Across the community, a shift has occurred: an understanding that shark nets belong to the past, and better solutions exist for the future.
Alternative shark safety measures have been years in development, with the NSW Government investing in technology that is far superior to nets. Drones now scan the waves, listening stations detect tagged sharks and send alerts, and SMART drumlines catch and relocate sharks safely. For those wanting extra security, personal shark deterrents are readily available. The science is clear—these modern methods are not just more humane but actually more effective at keeping beaches safe.
For locals like lifelong Coogee swimmer James Donnelly, the change is long overdue.
“We’ve been told for decades that the nets are here for our protection, but now we know they’re just killing marine life for no reason,” he said. “I’d rather see a turtle swimming past me than floating dead in a net.”
With all eight NSW councils rejecting shark nets in the 25 February vote, the next step is in the hands of the country’s leaders, which are expected to announce its shark safety strategy in the coming months formally. While there may still be debate, one thing is clear: Coogee is ready for change.
NSW’s Next Move
NSW will take down shark nets under the Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program a month earlier than usual, on 31 March, to reduce the impact on turtles, which become more active in April. Additionally, discussions with local councils could lead to permanent changes in the shark netting program.
Published 27-February-2025
