Remove the Nets

It is hard to believe with all we know about sharks, including their plummeting population, their critical role in our oceans, their value to emerging economies, and the small risk they actually pose to us, that the archaic process of killing these animals for bather “protection” still exists. But unfortunately, in many places around the world, shark nets are still installed. And the Shark Angels aim to end this practice.

It is time for a change. It is time for the shark nets to be removed. 

For several years now, many concerned citizens have spoken out against the nets in South Africa and Australia. Shark Angels is uniting these voices, fueling a unified effort to remove the nets in South Africa – and hopefully igniting a movement to remove nets around the world. We are helping the public take back the waters of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa providing a much-needed platform for awareness, education and grassroots activism.

The practice of killing sharks, and all else that come in contact with the nets, is an unnecessary and outdated practice that requires immediate examination and a short-term plan for termination. Nets (and drumlines) are no longer an acceptable option. Through a public awareness and education campaign combined with new environmentally-friendly shark management approaches, all can peacefully coexist in the oceans.

Remove the Nets is a movement fueled by the public, who rightfully should determine the future of the nets. Ultimately, what this campaign achieves rests in your hands. Please become part of the solution. Visit www.removethenets.com to sign the petition and get involved.

Learn more about shark nets
Watch our shark net video
Visit the campaign site: Remove the Nets
See our gallery: Shark Angels on Shark Nets

We aim to:

• Bring awareness to the existence of the nets and their negative impacts. 
• Educate people about the value of sharks to local economies and global environments while countering the myths that keep people from caring about their plight. 
• Reduce irrational fears associated with shark attacks and build understanding – as well as a tolerance for shared waters. 
• Challenge the public, particularly those using the netted beaches, to consider a new perspective.
• Build a network of passionate people within local communities and empower them with tools to begin a grassroots campaign.
• Build & launch unified local campaigns, reaching a broad spectrum of the public through education and awareness.
• Be a catalyst for the creation of a cross-functional team to identify other feasible options geared towards removing the nets and all other devices that result in destroying marine life, including sharks. 
• Enage in media and also serve as no-net advocates during times of incidents and when new installations are considered.

It could be said there was a time and place for nets. Years ago, the public knew little about sharks and the fear of attack was running high – and shark populations were far healthier than they are today. We could tolerate nets wreaking havoc on our world’s most important ecosystem, and implementing gill nets, the second most indiscriminate fishing method on the planet, was allowable, though thousands of harmless animals would subsequently be killed in the process. The public wanted and needed “protection” and nets served their purpose.

The days of killing animals out of fear are over.  And one only need to look at Yellowstone Park, in the U.S., as a prime example as to the far-reaching impacts of these short-sighted acts. At a time when we are racing through our natural resources at unsustainable rates, destroying wild animals simply because we can, or because of irrational fears fueled by a lack of knowledge, is no longer acceptable. 

Recent stories:
Western Australia Shark Cull
Mourning the Loss of 12 tigers
No Nets in Cape Town