Press release – 17 November, 2016Sydney, 18 November 2016: Greenpeace Australia Pacific has slammed the legal ‘exemption’ granted this week to allow installation of shark nets at New South Wales north coast beaches.“Environmental laws are there for a reason – to protect the environment. Federal Government ministers shouldn’t just grant an exemption whenever it suits their political allies,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific Oceans Campaigner, Alix Foster.
“Indiscriminately killing marine wildlife is not in the ‘national interest’. Our true national interest is in defending marine ecosystems, not destroying them. No-one wants people injured after shark encounters, but it’s well known that nets trap thousands of creatures, including various endangered species.”
“There’s no strong evidence that they’re effective at deterring sharks from beaches. Simply put, there are better ways, based on ‘science not emotion’ as NSW Premier Mike Baird says himself,” she said.