The New South Wales government has suspended a trial to remove shark nets from some beaches following the death of a surfer at Long Reef, adjacent to Dee Why Beach. Mercury Psillakis, 57, was attacked by a large shark on Saturday, just a week after the annual installation of shark nets along the NSW coast.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development assessed photographs of Psillakis's surfboard and determined a 3.4 to 3.6 metre white shark was likely responsible. The incident has reignited debate about the effectiveness of shark nets, which are not a complete barrier to entry for swimmers and surfers.
On Tuesday, the NSW government confirmed that no shark nets would be removed this summer, effectively halting the trial that aimed to replace nets with modern safety measures. Critics argue that nets have limited impact on preventing attacks and pose risks to marine life.
The tragedy has prompted renewed scrutiny of shark mitigation strategies, with experts calling for a focus on non-lethal alternatives such as drones, smart drumlines, and personal deterrent devices. The government has not yet announced a revised timeline for the trial.
