A recent spate of shark attacks at Australian beaches has again sparked debate about the effectiveness and environmental cost of shark nets. An RMIT expert is calling for alternative preventative measures.
Dr Rebecca Olive, Vice-Chancellor's Senior Research Fellow
"It's not entirely clear what is behind recent shark bites and attacks, but factors including changing ocean temperatures, diminishing fish numbers, protections of some shark species, and growing numbers of people swimming and surfing could all play a part.
"Shark nets aim to protect beaches from shark encounters but through more awareness of their impacts on marine creatures, public attitudes toward this intervention are shifting.
"Even the most staunch advocates for shark control find that the numbers of other species killed in these nets - including whales, turtles, birds, stingrays and more - are an unacceptable cost.
"Instead, helicopter and drone surveillance at patrolled beaches in busy months is becoming increasingly popular, with any close sightings seeing life savers calling people into shore. At some popular but unpatrolled surfing beaches in NSW, 'shark bite kits' that contain equipment to stem bleeding, have recently been installed.
"Though the chance of encountering a shark is low, swimmers and surfers can further reduce their chance of injury by attuning themselves to the ocean places they use: find out from local news or information sources about any recent sightings and seasonal migrations and avoid paddling into large schools of fish, especially when it is clear that animals, such as dolphins, are feeding."
Dr Rebecca Olive is a Vice-Chancellor's Senior Research Fellow in the School of Global, Urban & Social Studies at RMIT University. Her research explores sport and leisure in nature spaces, with a focus on swimming and surfing. She is an Associate Director (Regenerative Environments and Climate Action) in the Centre for Urban Research and a Fellow in the Regenerative Futures Institute.
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