Deadly Encounter Revives Controversy Over Contentious Marine Meshes in Australia

Marine waters has traditionally been a major part of Glen Butler's existence.

Over 50 years a board enthusiast for five decades and, in that time, he explains he infrequently worried about ocean hunters.

"You recognize you're venturing into their domain, so you're cautious," the experienced waterman remarked.

But his confidence in the ocean was shaken recently.

He had ventured for a surf with his surfing buddies one Saturday morning at the beach area in Sydney's northern beaches. Shortly after he exited of the surf, companion surfer the local waterman was tragically lost by a white shark.

"It has disturbed us a bit," he admits. The surfer and his brother his brother were familiar in the area, he continues: "You would regularly say hello."

The nation Deadliest Spot for Shark Attacks

Australia is home to numerous the globally renowned shorelines. More than 80% of the population dwells on the shoreline, so an early morning ocean swim or wave session is common for numerous of beachgoers each day.

However there are residents who believe that regular routine is growing increasingly dangerous.

One local is part of this group.

The elderly Sydney resident recalls looking at massive large predators hauled in by fishermen as a kid, in the days the now-protected animal could still be lawfully captured.

Seeing these lifeless creatures hung by their tails caused a "gallows-like" sensation, he recounts, but not fear. Sharks were beings of the marine depths, he thought, and he surfed in the shallower inlets.

However half a decade back, his daughter his daughter was nipped by a shark species while free-diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Although she was not fatally injured, it made him worried about the animals – something that grows with each sensational headline about an encounter.

"Such incidents impact me… I'm freaked out," he acknowledges.

While 'The victim was only the next victim lost by a marine incident in the city over the past 60 years, it's little comfort to those who commonly frequent the urban shorelines.

Each surfer contacted in the time after Psillakis' fatal encounter said they feel shark appearances near the coastline are turning more frequent.

"We occasionally might have seen a shadowy figure, but it could have been a ocean creature," notes Mr Craney. "Presently, I see them frequently."

Certain worry that shark counts are growing exponentially, after several types - including the globally most dangerous ocean hunters, great whites and tigers - were given different levels of safeguarding in local marine areas.

Scarce investigation on shark numbers to accurately assess the situation – but specialists argue an rise in sightings doesn't necessarily mean there are more sharks.

Marine researchers indicate that heating marine waters are altering the swimming and eating behaviors of marine predators. But experts explain any increase in appearances is mainly due to more and more beachgoers entering the ocean, and they are enhanced by online platforms.

The chance of being bitten by a shark in Australia is still very low. You're many thousands times more probable to experience water-related fatality. Indeed, nevertheless, that the country is a shark attack danger zone.

The country ranks second only to the America - a nation with significantly more the people - for marine incidents, and it leads the world for deadly incidents, according to the global database.

The tracking system only monitors "non-induced" events – not including those potentially stimulated by individuals through actions such as underwater hunting – but a complete database of all reported shark interactions in the nation is managed by conservation group.

The data indicates that marine incidents have broadly been rising over the past years. Already this year there have been multiple lethal encounters - all spontaneous.

Nets 'Comparable to a Napkin in a Swimming Area'

The state had been preparing to test decreasing its deployment of predator meshes – its oldest shark safety approach – when the most recent fatal attack happened.

Shark nets have been implemented in NSW since the 1930s and currently are typically installed on multiple shorelines from September through to early autumn. Aside from Queensland, it is the sole region that maintains them.

It's not feasible to completely enclose complete coastal areas – marine environments are very forceful and would readily sweep the meshes away.

Instead, the predator meshes are around nearly 500 feet extending and sit a multiple meters beneath the ocean surface. While anchored to the sea floor at spots, they don't reach the base. So ocean hunters can go above, below and beyond them.

"It's comparable to throwing a paper into the pool," Research center Professor Chris Pepin-Neff commented.

Government officials states predator meshes are "not intended to create a total division between swimmers and sharks" but alternatively aim to "catch specific predators" during any {hunts

Kathleen Graves
Kathleen Graves

A passionate writer and life coach dedicated to helping others unlock their potential and live fulfilling lives.