Environment Minister Griffin has the power to stop the shark meshing program in NSW, but will he?

Whilst hope has been held that sanity would prevail and the 2022/23 Shark Meshing season would not proceed in New South Wales (NSW), it has recently become clear that Dugald Saunders, NSW Minister for Agriculture, lacks the political will to make this decision, despite science and community sentiment strongly supporting the abandonment of the Meshing Program in favour of modern alternatives.

In contrast, there are others who have spoken out supporting the removal of shark nets in favour of modern alternatives:

Adam Crouch, Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast

Paula Masselos, Waverley Mayor (Waverley includes the famous Bondi Beach); and

Gordon Bradbery, Wollongong Mayor, said, "it was time for the nets to go."

However, one key decision maker has yet to make any announcement or statement about the shark net issue.

We know that NSW Environment Minister James Griffin takes his Ministerial position seriously. So we wonder why Mr Griffin hasn't made a statement about the shark nets, despite all the controversy around the topic.

Community polling by the NSW Department of Primary Industries shows overwhelming community support to move away from shark nets.

We are left with no option but to ask that as Environment Minister, Mr Griffin terminate the Joint Management Agreement (JMA) that allows the Meshing Program to operate. This will stop the shark meshing program in NSW.

The justification for such an action by the Minister is clear. The last five meshing program annual reports show that the program is not meeting its objective, as detailed in the JMA. Moreover, Mr Griffin has the power to terminate the agreement if Mr Griffin chooses to.

Let Mr Griffin know he has your support to terminate the shark meshing program in NSW.

We've made it super easy. Just follow this link to email Mr Griffin and for further information.