Aussie Divers Outraged Over Recreational Dive Tax Scheme; 'The Government is Killing Tourism'
Shark-Saving Magnets Pull in $25,000 Prize for American from International Smart Gear Competition
NOAA Proposes Measures To Rebuild Blacknose And Other Shark Populations
Shark Feeding for Tourists Blamed for Rise in Shark Attacks Along Cape Town Coast; 'Sharks Make the News'
Aussie Surfers Don 'Shark Repellant' Sticker; 'The Bull Shark Looks at What it's Attacking'
Experts: Marine Stewardship Council's Certification Failing Basic Science; 'Bureaucracy' Instead Of 'Biology'
Scientists: Sonar Images Reveal Sunken Oil Tanker Off California Coast, Possible Pollution Threat
Scientists: Marine Animals Suggest Evidence For A Trans-Antarctic Seaway; 'We Knew We Were Onto Something Very Interesting'
Researcher: Worry More About Lightning Or Bees Than Shark Attacks; 'A Surfer Looks Like A Seal'
From Pirate To Prisoner: Animal Planet To Air Whale Wars Special Featuring Eco-Maverick Peter Bethune
Florida Student Recounts Shark Attack, Shows Off Her Wound; 'There was blood'
Underwater Nude Model Bitten by Shark on Photo Shoot; 'We Push the Envelope'
Freak! Malaysian Fisherman Reels in Shark with 'Webbed Feet'
Guinness: India Park Home to World's Largest Crocodile; 23 Feet
South Africa Surfer Attacked By Great White Shark Hours Before 'Jaws' Broadcast; 'Lucky To Be Alive'
Strange Creature Found On Russian Coastline Baffles Locals - 380 comments
Freak! Malaysian Fisherman Reels in Shark with 'Webbed Feet' - 365 comments
Florida Student Recounts Shark Attack, Shows Off Her Wound; 'There was blood' - 261 comments
1063-pound, 12-foot 6-inch Mako Shark Hooked off Florida Coast May Be World Record - 251 comments
Aussie Teen Hooks Record Black Marlin, Feeds it to Sharks; 'It was Pretty Cool' - 194 comments
The NSW Government will introduce a range of measures, including the first ever public education campaign, to help keep swimmers safe this summer.
SYDNEY, Australia -- The NSW Government will introduce a range of measures, including the first ever public education campaign, to help keep swimmers safe this summer, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald, announced today.
The changes will supplement the Government’s highly successful annual shark meshing program which begins today.
“The Government has undertaken a thorough examination of its program over the winter months and looked at what we can do to further protect swimmers,” Minister Macdonald said. “We have sought expert scientific opinion and considered over 150 public submissions as part of the consultation process.
“We’re confident we’ve found the right balance that helps minimise the risk of shark attacks, while at the same time reducing impacts on the environment.”
Minister Macdonald said a targeted and staged public education ‘SharkSmart’ campaign, designed to involve and inform the public, is one initiative to come out of the review.
“SharkSmart will be rolled-out this spring and summer season focussing on how the public can further increase their safety and reduce the risk of shark attack,” he said.
“For example, people can reduce their risk by avoiding swimming or surfing when sharks are most active – such as at dawn and dusk - avoiding areas near schools of baitfish, in murky water, or at times when beaches are unpatrolled and there are few people about to help.
“We’ll be releasing information and resources at key times, such as just prior to school holidays and other peak swimming periods.”
Some of the key changes to be progressively implemented following the Government’s review include:
- The development of a strategic research and monitoring program in the first 12 months of the program.
- Increased frequency of net checking to further reduce environmental impacts, from every 96 hours down to every 72.
- Continuation of the development of the DNA database designed to further research into shark populations, size and movements.
- A major review of the NSW Shark Meshing Program to be completed every five years.
- An ongoing assessment of the impact and risk of the Shark Meshing Program on marine species.
- Ongoing involvement of the State’s threatened species scientific committees.
Minister Macdonald said the meshing program remained the best defence against shark attack.
“There is a lot of misinformation out there about the shark meshing program – it is not meant to be a barrier between the shark and the beach, it is there to stop sharks setting up a territory in that location and encouraging them to move along,” he said.
“The figures speak for themselves, since the meshing program commenced in 1937, there has been just one fatal shark attack at a meshed beach. Before the program was introduced there were 24 fatalities recorded in Sydney waters alone over the period 1900-1937.
“The NSW Government is committed to protecting swimmers along NSW beaches this summer – although we must remember there are no 100% guarantees and beachgoers need to use their common sense and stay out of the water at dawn and dusk for example.”
For further information on the NSW Shark Meshing Program and swimmer safety visit: www.industry.nsw.gov.au
Reader Comments
1 person has commented so far.They are also talking about a campaign later in the year called Earth Smart - warning people to be careful when walking, working, driving or sleeping and when around roads, parks, bushland, water and buildings. They are advising that one should stay within sight of at least one paramedic at all times and within 100 metres of at least 2 police officers. Otherwise there isn't a 100 % chance that one will go on living indefinately.
- Robert Hughes · Newcastle, Australia · Sep 8, 2009 @ 5:43pm