Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch is calling on the Minns Labor Government to stop the rollout of shark nets across Central Coast beaches in September with Terrigal’s newest resident, a young seal known as “Terri”, highlighting the unnecessary risk they pose to marine life.
The seal has become a familiar sight at Terrigal Beach, regularly resting on the sand and rocks before heading back into the water.
Mr Crouch said Terri’s arrival at Terrigal was a timely reminder of why shark nets should be removed from Central Coast waters for good.
“Terri has quickly become a much-loved visitor to Terrigal Beach, but in just a few weeks shark nets are due to go back into the water and will put marine life like him at risk,” Mr Crouch said.
“Our community has been clear from the outset – we don’t want shark nets because they’re outdated, indiscriminately kill marine life and are just ineffective.
“They do not create a barrier between swimmers and sharks, but they continue to catch and kill a significant amount of other marine life, including seals like Terri.”
Mr Crouch has long advocated for the removal of shark nets in favour of more modern shark mitigation strategies, including SMART drumlines, shark listening stations and drone surveillance.
“We have better technology available and we absolutely should be using it,” Mr Crouch said.
“SMART drumlines, listening stations and drone surveillance enable us to ensure we can help keep swimmers safe without the use of shark nets which unnecessarily kill our marine life.”
:There is no reason for these death nets to go back into our waters this September, and no reason to put marine life like Terri the seal unnecessarily at risk.”