SHARK REPELLANT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21934, 31 January 1946, Page 3

SHARK REPELLANT

MESHING REQUIRED SAFETY FOR SURFERS AGITATION IN SYDNEY (9 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 31. The necessity for shark-meshing in the interests of swimmers was emphasised by Mr. Adrian Curlewis, president of‘the Australian Surf Life : Saving Association. Meshing as carried out before the war was 100 per cent successful, because it not only destroyed sharks but scared thern from their natural breeding and feeding grounds. The Surf Life-Saving Association first agitated for the introduction of sharkmeshing in 1934. It was started in October, 1937, and discontinued in January, 1943. During those years more than 3500 dangerous sharks were caught. During meshing there were no shark attacks on Sydney beaches, and toward the end of meshing few sharks were ever seen. When meshing was started, 72 sharks were caught in the first fortnight, but eight months later the average catch was two or three. The boats were taken over by the American Navy, but now there were two with crews and equipment which could recommence at once. The Government’s yearly grant of £SOOO was infinitesimal compared with the safety meshing had given to the surfing public.