Sydney's shark net trial begins as three nets brought down across three beaches

By 7NEWS Australia — A summer trial to remove shark nets at three beaches along the New South Wales coastline has begun, marking a high-profile experiment in how coastal safety and marine conservation can be balanced. The trial will see nets taken down at beaches within three local government areas: Waverley (Bondi), Northern Beaches Council and Central Coast Council, while shark nets remain in place at 51 other NSW beaches.

Table of Contents

• What the trial involves
• Where the removals will take place
• A dispute over who chooses the beaches
• Safety, effectiveness and historic context
• Environmental impact and the case for removal
• What the trial aims to learn
• What's next
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
• Conclusion

What the trial involves

The state has authorised a 12-month trial to remove shark nets at three beaches. The intention, according to authorities and experts, is to measure the environmental impact of removing nets and to explore alternatives that better protect marine life while still keeping beachgoers safe.

Where the removals will take place

The trial centres on three council areas: Waverley (home to Bondi Beach), Northern Beaches Council and Central Coast Council. While the councils involved are named, the precise beaches for net removal in each area have not been finalized publicly. Officials said the nets will be taken down beginning on the first day of summer.

A dispute over who chooses the beaches

Tension has emerged between the state Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the local councils over who should decide which beaches are included in the trial.

"The DPI says we want the councils to choose."

"The councils say, no. You're legally responsible, so it's on you."

That back-and-forth means that although the trial has been authorised and removal work has begun, a final list of the specific beaches where nets will be taken out remains unsettled.

Safety, effectiveness and historic context

Experts say it's difficult to precisely measure how effective shark nets are in preventing human fatalities at beaches. However, proponents point to long records indicating low numbers of fatal attacks at netted beaches. Since 1937, there have been no fatal attacks at the beaches that have had nets — a statistic often cited in safety debates.

Environmental impact and the case for removal

Environmental concerns are a central reason for the trial. Shark nets are not selective: they can entangle and kill a broad range of marine animals, including sharks, rays, turtles and dolphins.

Key figure: Two hundred animals were killed by nets last summer alone, according to figures cited by advocates for reform. The trial seeks alternatives that reduce bycatch and better protect marine life without substantially increasing risk to swimmers.

What the trial aims to learn

The 12-month experiment is designed to gather evidence on several points:

• Whether removing nets increases risk to beach users at the selected sites.
• The scale of reduction in incidental deaths of marine animals without nets.
• How surf lifesaving services and local authorities can adapt patrols, technology and public safety messaging if nets become less relied upon.

What's next

As the trial proceeds, councils, DPI and independent experts will monitor incident rates, marine life interactions and community feedback. The outcome could inform broader changes to how NSW manages shark risk along populated beaches in future summers.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

• Which beaches are having their nets removed?

  The trial targets beaches within Waverley (Bondi), Northern Beaches Council and Central Coast Council. A final list of specific beaches has not been confirmed publicly.

• How many beaches in NSW still have shark nets?

  Fifty-one beaches across the state remain netted; the trial affects three beaches where nets will be taken down for the 12-month period.

• Why are nets being removed?

  The trial aims to reduce harm to marine wildlife—two hundred animals were reported killed by nets last summer—while assessing whether alternatives can maintain human safety.

• Are shark nets proven to save human lives?

  Historical records show that beaches with nets have had no fatal attacks since 1937 at affected sites, which advocates say speaks to their effectiveness. However, experts note it is hard to gauge exact effectiveness and that nets also cause significant bycatch.

• Who decides which beaches are included?

  There is a dispute between the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and local councils: DPI prefers councils to choose beaches, while councils argue the state is legally responsible for decisions.

Conclusion

The shark net trial marks a pivotal moment in NSW coastal management: a balancing act between public safety and environmental protection. Over the next 12 months, data from the trial will guide whether the state scales up, scales back or redesigns the net program. For now, the removals at the three council areas signal a willingness to test new approaches and put marine welfare front of mind as summer unfolds.