Remove The Nets

emoving another casualty: a pregnant ragged-tooth shark.

In addition to signing the petition, there are many ways you can actively participate in our campaign. This website represents the first phase of the campaign. Please:

• Help us spread the word. Educate others and encourage them to get involved.
• Have all of your friends, family members and acquaintances sign the petition – and post it when you are blogging, facebooking, twittering, etc
• Continue to dispel the myths about sharks. Develop a voice.
• Partner together with us to join the campaign. Contact us for more information.
• Keep your eyes on the Sharks Board, and report back to us.

Want to do more? Volunteer your time. Get Involved.

1. If you are local in KZN, we are looking for campaign leaders for each of our beach installations. And we need volunteer beach monitors to record usage and administer surveys.
2. We need statisticians and market research specialists to assist with the analysis of data we are collecting.
3. Scientists, behavioralists and other marine experts are needed to participate in the identification and testing of other valid options to the nets.
4. We always can benefit from those with public relation, marketing and advertising skills to assist in our campaigns.
5. Got a background in technology – web development, databases and data analysis, social networking and other new media tools? Please contact us.

Contact Us:
e: admin@removethenets.com
p: +27 (0)72-903-0697

The public getting involved. Disgust on the beach at a sharks board boat.

The Remove the Nets campaign is intended to fuel a groundswell movement to remove the nets.

The removal of the KwaZulu-Natal Shark Nets is a complex issue that cannot be solved overnight, nor is there a silver bullet solution.

Net Removal requires a strong education and awareness campaign, as ultimately, it requires a new, more rational perspective and increased tolerance. And, it will require the support of many different groups and communities.

And, removal of the nets should be viewed as a process, rather than an event, and thus, a reasonable phased plan should be rolled out without prolonging the nets’ installation unnecessarily. Such a plan should include: net removal in marine protected areas and low usage beaches, net removal during low impact periods, net removal at closed beaches, short term implementation of bycatch reduction mechanisms, site studies and experimentation with other proven options, and the creation of a “brain trust “of cross functional experts who can begin envisioning and developing the ultimate removal plan.

But, more than anything else, this issue rests in the hands of the people. This is a movement that must be fueled by the public, and that is where the decision lies.

Phase One (In Progress):

• 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.

Phase Two:

• Gauge public opinion in a structured, normalized manner.
• 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.
• Launch a full media campaign geared around awareness and changing public opinion.

Ultimately, what this campaign achieves rests in your hands. Please help us and become part of the solution.

Contact Us:
e: admin@removethenets.com
p: +27 (0)72-903-0697