[Greens-Media] Media Release: Spotting Sharks in Byron Bay

[Camille Keenan]

[0.9DC0.jpg]TAMARA SMITH MP
Member for Ballina
MEDIA RELEASE
15 June 2016

Spotting Sharks in Byron Bay
In a partnership between Sea Shepherd, Byron Shire Council and Member for Ballina Tamara Smith MLA, a feasibility study for shark spotting will take place at Wategos Beach.

 The trial will be carried out by members of Sea Shepherd and will determine whether the location and spotting abilities at Wategos Beach are suitable for a longer term shark spotting program, paying attention to the impact of morning and afternoon glare, spotting distance from water, changes in visibility in differing weather conditions and levels of water user activity at different times of the day.

 Funding for the trial is being provided equally by Tamara Smith, MLA and Byron Shire Council.

Tamara Smith MP, the NSW Greens spokesperson for Marine and Fisheries and a member of the government's recent Shark Inquiry said, " The Cardno Review recommended shark spotting as the best response to shark encounters and an ideal non-lethal shark mitigation strategy yet the government has not explored it as an option in NSW."

 "I was lucky to hang out with the Shark Spotters from Cape Town a few months ago and I was incredibly impressed and persuaded by their 13 year track record of safety for ocean users in Cape Town."

 "I am also very persuaded that paid, professional shark spotters are intrinsic to the program."

 "I am thrilled to partner with Sea Shepherd and Byron council to fund a feasibility study at Wategos."

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Developed by Sea Shepherd, the trial responds to the State Government's independent assessment of current shark mitigation strategies undertaken by the Cardno Review. This assessment identified a Shark Spotting program, currently used in Cape Town, South Africa as the highest ranked solution. The program was the only one that met eight assessment criteria including; a whole-of-beach solution, poses no risks to humans or wildlife, would be suitable for NSW beaches, has been tested on white sharks (and a variety of other shark species), has been peer reviewed, and the costs for the program are low.

The scoping study proposes to provide independent feedback on the abilities and limitations of a more permanent Shark Spotting program at this location.
Ends.

For more information: Camille Keenan - 66 867522 or Camille.keenan at parliament.nsw.gov.au<mailto:Camille.keenan at parliament.nsw.gov.au>

Camille Keenan
Officer Manager
Office of Tamara Smith, Member for Ballina
Office 1, 7 Moon Street, Ballina
Phone: 02 6686 7522
Website: www.tamarasmith.com.au<http://www.tamarasmith.com.au/>

The office of Tamara Smith MP respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we work - the Bundjalung people.

[untitled]

The information contained in this message and or attachments is intended only for the person to whom, or the entity to which, it is addressed. It may contain confidential and / or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient we ask you to contact the sender and to delete / destroy this message as well as any attachments and / or copies. Use of the information contained in this message by anyone other than the intended recipient without express authority is prohibited. Any views expressed in this communication are those of the individual sender except where they are specifically stated to be the views of Tamara Smith MP or The Greens NSW.
P Please consider the environment before printing this email.