'Fantastic' solution at iconic Aussie beach to divisive nationwide problem
In Western Australia a handful of beaches have installed the Eco Shark Barrier – a marine-friendly way to protect people from sharks.
Wildlife experts have applauded marine authorities for installing "marine-friendly" shark "barriers" at several beaches throughout one Australian state, moving away from harmful traditional netting which experts say do more harm than good.
In Western Australia, an Eco Shark Barrier was erected at Cottesloe Beach last Friday, the latest coastal spot to fit one of the devices in the state, following success at a number of other locations.
The 310-metre-long barrier at Cottesloe comprises a network of durable components and works to form an enclosure that is flexible enough to allow the passage of small marine life but also rigid enough to prevent the entry of large marine animals, including sharks.
Owner Craig Moss, from Perth, said the barriers were built to "withstand forces of nature" and aimed at allowing people to "feel confident and safe at the beach".
Once installed, the barrier looks similar to a children's netted pool common at many beaches across the country. But, unlike traditional shark nets or netted pools, the barrier does not pose any risk to marine life, instead, it allows aquatic animals to move more freely around it or through it.
Expert raves about 'great solution' to shark safety problem
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Lawrence Chlebeck from the Humane Society International (HSI) labelled the barrier a "great solution" to the issue of shark safety in the ocean.
"I have heard quite a bit about these barriers, they are a great solution to reduce the risk of shark bite by physically separating the swimmers from the open sea," he told Yahoo.
"Unlike 'shark nets' (those used on NSW and Queensland ocean beaches), Eco Shark Barriers actually create a completely enclosed space for swimmers, and also unlike shark nets, they do not entangle and kill wildlife.
"Using eco shark barriers is a fantastic way to eliminate the risk of shark bite without an impact on marine wildlife." Cottesloe Beach received the first version of Eco Shark Barrier in 2013, but manufacturers improved its quality in 2019, with the upgraded version formally swapped in last Friday.
Marine experts back 'evidence-based' approach to shark safety
In Western Australia, Eco Shark Barriers exist at beaches in Coogee, Sorrento and Esperance. In NSW there is one at Bermagui Beach on the south coast. Overseas in the Bahamas, one exists at Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.
The device forms a complete enclosure for people to swim freely in, from seabed to surface, with its design aimed at "blending into its surrounding environment".
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Leo Guida of the Australian Marine Conservation Society also spoke to Yahoo News on the topic. He echoed much of Chlebeck's sentiment, saying it's high time we adopted an "evidence-based approach to beach safety" in Australia.
"It's fantastic that the WA Government continues a modern, evidence-based approach to beach safety that the Cottesloe locals and visitors clearly appreciate," he told Yahoo. "These shark barriers are a semi-rigid barrier creating a complete enclosure from sea floor to surface that prevents entanglement of wildlife whilst enabling people to safely enjoy the water.
"There's no silver bullet to beach safety, so complementary measures including barriers, drones, alerts systems and the tagging and tracking of sharks, mitigate any gaps that only one of these approaches might have, significantly improving beach safety."
Concerning shark net figures emerge in NSW
The issue of shark nets and their effectiveness is one that remains a controversial topic of debate, particularly as summer approaches. In NSW, there are nets at 51 beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong, with recent data suggesting they are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of marine animals — many vulnerable and endangered.
Earlier this year, HSI released data obtained from the NSW Department of Primary Industries which revealed in the state, shark nets caught 208 non-target marine animals — species that are incidentally captured —since September 1, 2023.
Five critically endangered grey nurse sharks were found dead, as well as four endangered leatherback turtles and an endangered loggerhead turtle. An incredible 93 per cent of marine animals caught in NSW shark nets during the 2023-2024 season were non-target species such as whales, turtles, dolphins, rays and smaller or non-aggressive sharks, the data showed.
"Shark nets don’t discriminate. Year after year, nine out of 10 animals caught in the nets are non-target species, and without providing any benefit to public safety. It’s why NSW beachside communities are fed up with these wildlife death traps," Chlebeck said in April.
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