In the coastal waters of northern Australia, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is in the process of removing five of the state government’s trial shark nets two weeks before the the six-month trial is due to end, in order to protect thousands of migrating humpback whales, many with newborn calves. The decision was made due to an increase in sightings along the NSW coastline as the whales head north, swimming close to the surface and shore as they migrate, putting them at risk of running into the shark nets. The NSW government will make a decision on the future of the nets later this year following consultation with the community and scientists and will hopefully give serious consideration of alternatives to shark nets due to the danger these pose to many other marine species, including dolphins which become entangled, many dying in the process.
