Remove The Nets

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

Ultimately, the removal of the shark nets rests in the public’

s hands. It is the public that needs to be educated on the truth about the nets. Only through education and awareness can we move forward.

We hope to visually capture the impact of the nets –

and in this case, pictures and videos are worth a 1000 words.

Please help us fuel this campaign. We are initiating a public monitoring process to record the Natal Shark’

s Board activities. Our goal is not to impede their work, but rather, be quiet observers.

• Do you know something you wish to report, have investigated or simply record? Please report it to us –even anonymously if you wish.
• Have you witnessed sharks board in action, removing animals from the nets or from the beach? Send us pictures or video footage.

Do you know when an animal is caught on a net or drumline? Please notify the Sharks Board as quickly as possible at +27-(0)31-566-0400 in the hopes that it can be saved. We would also like to be notified with the location of the catch as well as any other information you may have regarding the species. Call us at +27-(0)72-903-0697.

Use the form below, or email us at: admin@remove the nets.com. Please call us with anything time sensitive.

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**The shark nets are governmental property and should not be tampered with. It is illegal to do so. Additionally, the KZNSB employees should not be hindered from completing their responsibilities.

Accountability, and public understanding of the activities of the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board is critical. Residents of KZN have an intrinsic right to understand how their money is being utilized, and tourists should be properly educated on the destinations they choose to visit as well.

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