State of New South Wales through NSW Department of Primary Industries
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2008-09)
Reporting Period: 2008-09
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental Protection
- Public Safety
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced dolphin captures since introduction of acoustic pingers
- Reduced whale entanglements since introduction of whale alarms
- Removal of nets during whale migration season (May-August)
Social Achievements
- Reduced fatal shark attacks at major metropolitan beaches since 1937
- Improved safety procedures for handling captured animals
Governance Achievements
- Implementation of Joint Management Agreements under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and the Fisheries Management Act 1994
- Public consultation on the Shark Meshing Program
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Continue to monitor, assess and report on catch and release rates
Medium-term Goals:
- Increase the frequency of net checking
- Investigate standardising mesh sizes
- Establish a strategic research and monitoring plan
Short-term Goals:
- Prepare publicly available annual reports
- Undertake a major review of the program every 5 years
Environmental Challenges
- Impacts on threatened species (grey nurse sharks, great white sharks)
- Bycatch of non-target species (dolphins, turtles, etc.)
- Operational challenges due to weather conditions
Mitigation Strategies
- Use of acoustic devices (pingers and whale alarms)
- Bottom-setting of nets
- Removal of nets during whale migration season
- Release of live sharks whenever possible
- Improved data gathering, management, and reporting