Media Statement - 29 October 2025

Comments from Ward 1 Councillor Jess Whittaker on the deceased whale found in Coledale shark net on 28th Oct 2025:

"It was harrowing to see what happened to this magnificent creature off the Illawarra coast, and what makes it all the more heartbreaking is that it was completely preventable.

“Decades of evidence show shark nets are not effective. They are are public safety hazard and they are a hazard to wildlife.

“The nets are essentially loose fishing devices that entangle marine life indiscriminately. This whale is just the latest of thousands of animals, including dolphins, turtles and rays, to be caught up and killed by these outdated nets.

“The NSW government was about to trial removing shark nets at some beaches before the death of a surfer in Sydney. They put the trial on hold, and while the incident was tragic, the government's actions do not make sense, as the beach where this incident occurred had a shark net.

“Premier Chris Minns and Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty need to step in and review the shark net program as well as invest in the state's SharkSmart program. We shouldn't wait until the end of the season when the impact of killer shark nets continues to plague our coasts.”