Take Action
Contact your MP
Governments prioritise issues that their constituents are most vocal about and have the ultimate power to enforce regulations and laws that can protect our marine life.
You don't need to be a scientist to make a difference. As a voter, you have the power to set the agenda. When an MP receives multiple letters about Grey Nurse Shark protection, your "noise" can be the catalyst that drives the creation or extension of a sanctuary zones that will give these sharks greater protection.
Find Your Local Representative here:
Click the links below to find the contact details for your local Member of Parliament based on your state or territory:
- NSW: Find your Member - NSW Parliament
- QLD: Find your Member - Queensland Parliament
- VIC: Find your Member - Parliament of Victoria
- WA: Find your Member - Parliament of Western Australia
- SA: Find your Member - Parliament of South Australia
- TAS: Find your Member - Parliament of Tasmania
- ACT: Find your Member - ACT Legislative Assembly
- NT: Find your Member - NT Legislative Assembly
Template Letter - 30by30
Subject: Action: Sanctuaries for Grey Nurse Sharks (30by30)
Dear [MP Name],
I am writing to urge you to ensure Australia’s 30by30 commitment results in meaningful protection for the Critically Endangered Grey Nurse Shark, rather than just "paper parks."
The science confirms our current approach is failing:
- Sanctuaries Must Be "No-Fishing": Research proves Marine Protected Areas are ineffective unless they are designated "no-fishing" zones (see papers by Booth, Turnbull, & Edgar). Sites like Fish Rock currently allow almost all types of fishing, making the "protection" currently given inadequate.
- Scientifically-Backed Buffer Zones: CSIRO acoustic tagging shows these sharks forage up to 1.2km at night. While an independent review by NSW government, in 2003, recommended 1,500m sanctuary zones, most NSW sites shrink protection to 100m–200m. This exposure to human pressure in these areas is a critical failure.
- A Population at Risk: Modeling (Bradshaw, 2009) indicates a population of 3500 - 7100 is required for persistence. Current estimates (Bradford, 2025) place the East Coast population at just ~2,000 adults. With a slow reproductive rate (2 pups every 2–3 years), they need more protection..
- Key Threatening Process: In 2002, the NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee listed "Hook and line fishing in important areas" as a primary threat. Accidental hooking causes fatal infections and impairs feeding; sites with the least protection show the highest injury rates nationwide.
The Ask: Australia has committed to protecting 30% of our oceans by 2030. I urge you to advocate for consistent 1.5km "No-Take" sanctuary zones around all identified aggregation sites.
As a voter and member of the diving community, I look forward to your commitment to scientifically-grounded marine protection.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your Address]
Template Letter - Nets Out Now
Subject: Removing Outdated Shark Nets
Dear [MP Name],
I am writing to urge you to advocate for the immediate removal of shark nets in NSW. Data from the FY24/25 season proves these nets are not only ineffective but are actively making our beaches less safe for swimmers.
The science condemns the continued use of shark nets:
- Failure to keep swimmers safe: Marine science confirms that nets are not barriers; they are attractants. Entangled animals emit hydrodynamic disturbances and "struggling sounds" that act as a dinner bell for large predators. Freedom of Information data shows numerous instances of bycatch being predated upon within the nets - the nets are clearly baiting predatory sharks towards swimmers.
- Extreme by-catch rates: Last season, the Bondi shark net caught zero target sharks but entangled two critically endangered Grey Nurse Sharks. 90% of animals caught in the nets are harmless animals.
- Modern alternatives: Since 1999, Bondi and Bronte shark nets have caught only 15 target sharks between them, yet in just one year modern alternatives in the same area detected 358 sharks in real-time, proving that modern alternatives work and outdated nets need to go.
- False sense of security: Many people still incorrectly believe that nets provide a barrier. It is well documented that sharks swim over, under and around them since they are only 150m long. A shark net is as effective as a firefighter wearing a fire-proof g-string.
Modern alternatives, like drones, have the unanimous support of every NSW coastal council. Australia is the only country on Earth still using this 1937 technology.
The community and local councils have spoken. We urge you to pressure the Premier and Minister to now act and decommission the outdated netting program immediately. We urge that the funding is reallocated to proven, real-time drones instead, increased lifeguards, and that drone pilots are trained adequately to know when to raise the alarms.
We must stop "baiting" our swimming beaches and start using the science available to us.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your Address]