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Sydney Shark Net Trial on Hold After Deadly Attack
NSW government halts shark net removal trial after fatal attack at Long Reef Beach, citing safety concerns; experts suggest alternative shark protection technologies.
- NSW Premier Chris Minns halted the trial to remove shark nets in Central Coast, Northern Beaches and Waverley councils on September 8, 2025, calling it `the right thing to do` after a fatal attack.
- A rare metropolitan fatality on the northern beaches, Mercury Psillakis, 57-year-old surfer, was killed by a shark off Long Reef Beach on Saturday at a netted beach; it's the first fatality in nine decades, complicating net-removal talks.
- Emergency services rushed to the beach shortly after 10 a.m., but attempts to save Mercury Psillakis, attacked about 100 meters offshore and losing several limbs, were unsuccessful.
- Long Reef and Dee Why beaches remain closed on Monday while drone operators scan for shark activity and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development compiles a report.
- Councils and advocates argue removing nets would better protect wildlife and people, with Central Coast, Northern Beaches, and Waverley Councils supporting removal; research says nets don’t improve safety and advocates urge non-lethal alternatives like drone surveillance and smart drum lines.
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Shark attack kills surfer off Sydney beach in Australia - first such death there since 1963
A suspected "large shark" has mauled a surfer to death in a rare fatal attack off Australia's Sydney beach, police and rescuers said, prompting the closure of several beaches. The incident on Saturday is only the second deadly shark attack in Australia's most populous city after a 35-year-old British diving instructor was killed off a beach in February 2022 - the first such death in Sydney since 1963. The victim, still unidentified, was pulled o…
The Standard+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Beloved shark attack victim mourned as net trial paused
Tributes are flowing for a surfer mauled to death in a rare city shark attack as a net-free...
·Warrnambool, Australia
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Total News Sources19
Leaning Left8Leaning Right6Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution53% Left
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources lean Left
53% Left
L 53%
R 40%
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