Sunday, September 1, was a sad day for ocean lovers, marine conservationists, and many residents who gathered at The Entrance to protest the deployment of shark nets along Central Coast shores as Spring began.
The Animal Justice Party Central Coast hosted the Father’s Day rally at Memorial Park, with community members gathered to voice their concerns and learn more about the detrimental effects of the nets.
Cathy Gilmore from Marine Wildlife Rescue, who has been advocating against shark nets for more than a decade, shared powerful stories of marine rescues and her first-hand experiences witnessing the devastating effects of these nets on marine life.
She highlighted how ineffective and harmful the outdated methods are.
Jackie Pearson, a respected local conservationist, independent journalist and publisher, highlighted the harmful effects of shark nets on biodiversity and ecosystems.
She stressed the crucial role sharks play in sustaining ocean health and advocated for more effective and humane alternatives to safeguard both marine life and beachgoers.
Nada Pantle, a pioneering long-distance ocean swimmer and underwater filmmaker, shared her personal experiences with marine animals, highlighting their gentle nature and the critical need to protect their habitats.
“Understanding the ocean and its inhabitants is the first step toward protecting it,” she said.
“You’ll realise there is nothing to fear and everything to gain.”
Sarah Ryan, the AJP candidate for The Entrance in the September 14 council election, delivered a powerful speech on the outdated use of shark nets, highlighting that the 1937 technology has remained unchanged in 87 years, despite non-harmful and effective shark mitigation options like drones being readily available.
She criticised the NSW Government’s complacency, which has resulted in the unnecessary killing of hundreds of animals including sharks, dolphins, rays and seals and the worsening threat to endangered species including leatherback turtles and grey nurse sharks.
“Despite the relentless efforts of AJP MP Emma Hurst and our local community, this Government has failed to listen to the voices of the people, the councils and the NSW Legislative Council,” she said.
“I believe our best chance at this stage is to push for local governments to be responsible for deciding if they continue to use shark nets, and this is one of the main motivations driving me to get elected as a Central Coast Council councillor.”
The DPI reported that in the 2023/2024 meshing period 255 animals were entangled in nets in NSW, 94 per cent of which were non-target animals, with 25 per cent of them endangered or protected species.