Story by Coastal Watch.
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NEW SOUTH Wales Premier Baird has announced Far North Coast beaches will get shark nets after another surfer was attacked by a shark at Sharpes Beach, north of Ballina.
A 25-year-old was surfing with friends yesterday. October 12, when he was bitten by a shark and suffered lacerations to his lower leg.
Premier Mike Baird told Parliament that the extraordinary circumstances of the shark crisis on the NSW North Coast and repeated shark attacks required a critical response that was being followed up with pleas of desperation from the local member, local mayor and residents.
“We have to prioritise human life over everything.” Baird said. “The sentiment in that North Coast community has shifted. They were against nets. The recent attacks have started to shift that. There is a mood and a change within that community.”
Richard Beckers from Ballina Surf who’s business and sales has been directly affected by the shark crisis has said “It’s about time. I think we need everything that we can get. There are so many sharks out there everyone’s seeing them! I think we need the drumlines too but this is a good start.”
Lennox surfer/shaper and Coastalwatch panellist Phil Myers says he’s “a little bit stunned. And a bit of relief I suppose. I’m happy that they’ve listened to us though I do think they listened to the shark attack a bit.
“People were getting really frustrated. But when the nets go up it’ll give people confidence — I wouldn’t be surprised if [business] takes off again around the place.” He says “the only thing I’d ask now is when [the nets will go in]. I just hope it’s soon. I wanna go surfing!”