South Coast adventure tourism company operator Mick Austin holds a large hook found beneath popular jetty-jumping spot The Gantry at Bawley Point. Photo: Facebook.
A South Coast MP is calling for a ban on shark fishing near popular NSW beaches and jetties, following community concerns about public safety.
State Member for South Coast Liza Butler has launched a petition advocating for changes to regulations regarding shark fishing from structures close to popular swimming beaches.
The petition also raises concerns about drones carrying burley and bait attracting sharks into “extremely busy, unpatrolled beaches”.
South Coast adventure company operator Mick Austin first raised the issue after finding a shark hook at popular jetty-jumping hotspot The Gantry at Bawley Point.
Mick said that as a local tourism operator regularly working with kids in the water, he couldn’t stay quiet on the issue.
“I was guiding a snorkelling tour with a family and I retrieved this large shark hook and wire trace directly below where children were climbing back onto the rocks after jumping from the jetty,” he said.
“That hook was sitting there waiting for a small child’s foot.”
Mick raised the issue with Ms Butler, concerned that shark fishing near populated areas had increased in recent years. He is calling for regulatory reform.
“The focus is simple,” Mick said. “Stop the use of burley in busy public swim areas, prevent sharks being reeled onto rocks and beaches among families and put public safety first.”
A similar movement took place in 1997 in Tathra where public safety concerns led to the prohibition of shark fishing from Tathra Wharf.
“That action proved change is possible when communities speak up,” Mick said.
Australia has recently been named the shark attack capital of the world, recording the most shark attack fatalities globally in 2025, according to the International Shark Attack File.
In January, four shark attacks, including one fatality, were recorded along the NSW coast within 48 hours.
In addition to discarded gear such as large hooks and heavy lines, Ms Butler said the use of burley and bait to attract sharks into populated areas needed to be urgently addressed.
“It’s not safe. It’s irresponsible and we’re putting people in danger,” she said.
“They recognised that down in Tathra … We’ve recognised the danger of drawing large predatory animals such as sharks in close proximity with people. It’s just a commonsense approach and I believe it should be replicated right up and down the coast.
“We’ve got hundreds of isolated beaches. Go and fish for sharks there, but not close to where people are swimming.”
While the petition has attracted support online, some have questioned whether a ban would be effective.
One Facebook comment asked: “How did it work out for Tathra? Spend millions of taxpayers’ money on a public campaign then stick a $50 sign up on the wharf?”
Ms Butler acknowledged the challenges of enforcing a ban, but said reform would ultimately help to raise community awareness.
“Some people will always do the wrong thing, but if you ban it, you have signs up and people can get fined, they’ll be deterred from it.”
“Some people won’t be happy about it, but when we’re seeing so many shark attacks and the increase in the number of bull sharks up and down the coast, I think it’s a matter of community safety.”
Find the petition here.
Original Article published by Hayley Nicholls on Region Canberra.
