Sydney, New South Wales, is home to several beaches with shark nets, with 51 beaches along the coast from Newcastle to Wollongong having these safety measures. Famous beaches like Bondi, Tamarama, and Bronte have shark nets installed to reduce the likelihood of shark attacks on swimmers. The shark meshing program operates from September 1 to April 30 each year, aiming to decrease human interactions with sharks during peak swimming seasons.
The shark nets in Sydney are not a complete barrier between swimmers and sharks but are strategically placed to intercept sharks near meshed beaches, minimizing the risk of shark encounters. New South Wales boasts one of the world's largest shark management programs, incorporating various technologies such as 305 SMART drumlines, 37 tagged shark listening stations, and drone patrols across 19 local government areas.
Despite ongoing concerns, the New South Wales government maintains the use of shark nets as a key element of its comprehensive shark management strategy, blending traditional and modern approaches to safeguard beachgoers along the coastline.