Shark nets have been used in Australia and around the world for many decades. The reason behind shark nets is to give a perceived safety message to the many millions of beachgoers who enjoy the beautiful surf and sun that our beaches are blessed with.

There is a political and commercial desire to make the beaches appear safe for a few reasons:

• People who use the beaches, the Australian population, and thousands of overseas visitors expect that the government is responsible for their safety. Governments see political mileage in creating the perception of safety for the general population.
• Many businesses rely on the patronage of millions of beachgoers for their livelihood. Examples include our tourism industry, accommodation, hospitality, transport, provisions, and groceries. Of course, thousands of others, directly and indirectly, benefit from the magnificent shoreline to which surfers, bathers, holidaymakers, and tourists are drawn incessantly.

You only have to consider the classic movie “Jaws” to see how the vested interests of politicians and commercial investors rely on the perception of safety at our beaches.

Nobody wants to see anyone fall victim to the perils of the sea, whether by drowning, stings or bites, shark bites or any other misadventure.

Alternatively, if we take the perspective of nature, the ocean is the preserve of marine creatures. We love many of them. Dolphins, fish, seabirds, whales and a myriad of other amazing creatures live in this watery domain.

Of course, these beautiful marine creatures are the hundreds of species of sharks that populate the seas from the upper reaches of the deepest oceans through to the shoreline, rivers and estuaries. The majority of these sharks are no threat to humans for several reasons. Many of them only populate the deep oceans and don’t come close to shore; many are large eaters of small crustaceans, including the largest fish on earth, the whale shark and its smaller cousin, the basking shark; many sharks are small and pose no threat to people because of their size and eating habits, for example, the Port Jackson shark, carpet sharks and wobbegongs.

Is it reasonable to expect that we should sacrifice indiscriminately millions of these beautiful creatures?

In a recent Australian report on the ecological impact of shark netting (http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/nets-are-a-dead-loss-for-sea-life-20100821-139pq.html#ixzz2JPEXBuh7), it was stated that of some four thousand sea creatures captured, only 4% were considered to be a risk to humans. That’s 160 sharks which were considered by virtue of the type and size to be a potential danger. So, three thousand eight hundred and forty innocent, harmless sea creatures … dead … gone … needlessly sacrificed just for the perceived peace of mind of a relatively small number of humans!

Research

Historical

Our professional team is currently researching all available historical relevant information and data about shark nets in Australia and overseas.

Care must be taken in recognizing the existence of “vested interests” in the outcomes of studies previously carried out to protect and secure specific political and financial agendas. There is no point in relying on the fox to watch the henhouse.

Upon completion of this historical review, our research team will move emphasis towards carrying out fresh and unbiased investigations by our organization, Oceans’ Harmony

“Hands-On” Research

In this critical phase, our investigators will work “in the field” in cooperation with one or more universities and private sector organizations to ensure that the work is fair and unhindered by any commercial or political outcome.

Findings / Conclusions

Once consolidated and compiled, our findings and conclusions will be made available in an easy-to-read form for all interested parties and the public. Of course, the technical base data and research will be available as required to support the finished reports.

Remember that our reason for being is to present non-commercial and non-political information about human impact on the oceans and marine environments of the world.

Recommendations

To provide recommendations that will be in the best interests of the long-term well-being of our marine environment, we will make recommendations based on the findings and conclusions of this project.

How you can help …

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