NO MORE SHARK NETS
Shark nets used off South Africa’s beaches are not barriers.
They are fishing nets that catch sharks — and also dolphins, turtles, rays and other marine animals.
How Shark Nets Actually Work
Most people believe shark nets form a protective barrier between swimmers and sharks.They do not.Shark nets are large gill nets placed offshore parallel to beaches. Animals swimming through them become entangled, and sharks can swim around the ends of the nets.
Typical deployment of a shark net used along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline.
Animals that swim through the nets become entangled.
Data derived from the South African National Assembly, Question No. 1409 (NW1739E), published in Internal Question Paper No. 16 of 2024. The information was provided by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in response to inquiries regarding permits issued to the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board for the use of nets and drumlines. Available in our download section.Comparison: Targeted Sharks vs. Incidental Non-Target Species ( 2019 -2021)
High Shark Mortality Rates: Among targeted species, Hammerhead sharks (Grouped) face the most significant impact, with a 97% mortality rate, representing 274 sharks killed out of 282 caughtSignificant Dolphin Impact: Dolphins are severely affected as a non-target species, with an 81% mortality rate (109 killed out of 134 caught).
Dolphin grouping includes Common, Humpback, and Bottlenose species.Variable Survival for Turtles: Turtles show a survival rate of roughly 48%, with 53 released alive out of 111 caught.
Turtle grouping includes Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, and Loggerhead species.High Ray Interaction: Rays account for the largest volume of non-target catch with 640 total interactions, though they maintain a better survival rate of 70% compared to other groups.
Ray grouping includes Blue stingray, Bullray, Devilray, Diamondray, Longhorned/Shorthorn devilray, Eagleray, Flapnose ray, Giant guitarfish, and various Manta species.Whale Vulnerability: While interactions are rare, the recorded Humpback whales caught during this period did not survive the entanglement.
The Legal Challenge
South African legislation provides protection for marine animals such as turtles, dolphins, whales and various shark species.Permits that allow activities affecting these animals must comply with that legislation.A public-interest legal review is going to challenge the permits issued for shark nets and drumlines along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline.
Were the impacts on protected marine species properly considered?
Do the permits comply with South African environmental legislation?
Were less harmful alternatives evaluated?
Do the permits allow unlimited wildlife mortality?
Why Public Support Matters
Public-interest environmental litigation is expensive.Legal challenges require extensive preparation, expert scientific input and court proceedings.Public support helps ensure that environmental decisions affecting marine life can be properly examined in court.We need your help to win this.
Legal preparation
Scientific expert reports
Court proceedings
Public education
All funds raised will be used to support the legal review and related research.
THE PAPERWORK
This section contains the correspondence and legal documents relating to the High Court application concerning shark nets and drum lines.Enter your name and email below to receive access to the documents.