Petition to Discontinue the Dunedin Shark Net Programme
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We request that you discontinue the shark net programme from around the Dunedin coastline.
Of the thousands of popular recreation beaches around the world only three countries, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, deploy shark nets to protect beach users. The Dunedin City Council is the only council in New Zealand to employ shark nets. The aim of the netting programme is to reduce the local population of sharks in order to minimise encounters between sharks and beach users.
The netting programme was initiated in 1969 after an increase in the number of shark encounters in the area (according to the Global Shark Attack file, five reported in the Dunedin area from 1886 - 1969). The target species of the netting programme are dangerous sharks such as the White Pointer (a protected species). Since semi-reliable records began in 1986, 442 sharks have been caught in the nets. Instead of dangerous sharks, records show that at least ten species of sharks, widely viewed as harmless, have been caught. Catches of Basking Sharks (a filter feeder), Porbeagle Sharks, and Tope have been recorded. None of these species have ever been attributed to serious attacks on humans, and are all listed on the IUCN redlist of endangered species.
Representatives from the DCC and the Department of Conservation agree that rather than being an effective barrier between sharks and beach users the nets provide only a perception of safety. The programme includes a total of six nets, at 100 metres each in length, set at three popular recreation beaches around the Dunedin area (St Clair, St Kilda and Brighton beaches). The nets cover no more than 1\% of a coastline, frequented by surfers, swimmers, divers and other recreational users, within the Dunedin City boundaries. The nets are only set from 1st December to 1st March annual.
Studies undertaken on the impact of shark nets on non-target species in South Africa and Australia clearly show a significant by-catch issue. Although some incomplete records are available for Dunedin there is no by-catch data available. With populations of New Zealand Sea Lions, Fur Seals, Hectors Dolphins and numerous species of sea birds around the Otago coast, coupled with statistics from other netting programmes, it is highly unlikely there has been no by-catch in the Dunedin nets.
Not only are the nets ineffective they are also detrimental to the ocean eco-system, and an unnecessary expense to local rate payers.
Thank you for keeping our oceans wild.
Of the thousands of popular recreation beaches around the world only three countries, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, deploy shark nets to protect beach users. The Dunedin City Council is the only council in New Zealand to employ shark nets. The aim of the netting programme is to reduce the local population of sharks in order to minimise encounters between sharks and beach users.
The netting programme was initiated in 1969 after an increase in the number of shark encounters in the area (according to the Global Shark Attack file, five reported in the Dunedin area from 1886 - 1969). The target species of the netting programme are dangerous sharks such as the White Pointer (a protected species). Since semi-reliable records began in 1986, 442 sharks have been caught in the nets. Instead of dangerous sharks, records show that at least ten species of sharks, widely viewed as harmless, have been caught. Catches of Basking Sharks (a filter feeder), Porbeagle Sharks, and Tope have been recorded. None of these species have ever been attributed to serious attacks on humans, and are all listed on the IUCN redlist of endangered species.
Representatives from the DCC and the Department of Conservation agree that rather than being an effective barrier between sharks and beach users the nets provide only a perception of safety. The programme includes a total of six nets, at 100 metres each in length, set at three popular recreation beaches around the Dunedin area (St Clair, St Kilda and Brighton beaches). The nets cover no more than 1\% of a coastline, frequented by surfers, swimmers, divers and other recreational users, within the Dunedin City boundaries. The nets are only set from 1st December to 1st March annual.
Studies undertaken on the impact of shark nets on non-target species in South Africa and Australia clearly show a significant by-catch issue. Although some incomplete records are available for Dunedin there is no by-catch data available. With populations of New Zealand Sea Lions, Fur Seals, Hectors Dolphins and numerous species of sea birds around the Otago coast, coupled with statistics from other netting programmes, it is highly unlikely there has been no by-catch in the Dunedin nets.
Not only are the nets ineffective they are also detrimental to the ocean eco-system, and an unnecessary expense to local rate payers.
Thank you for keeping our oceans wild.
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Goal
50 signatures
Goal: 100
Latest Signatures
48.
Aaron A
|
Sharks are seriously misunderstood creatures that deserve to live in their natural habitat, instead of being forced out by greedy humans who have no respect for nature.
36.
Jude Raymond
|
I surf 3-4 times a week at beaches all around Dunedin, most of which dont have nets. Dunedin residents need to realize that if sharks wanted to eat humans, there wouldnt be many surfers left in Dunedin! Please remove the nets and protect marine wildlife f
29.
Sam M
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They are definitely not necessary, More of an embarrassment for the city council when you read the facts!
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