Fisherman Urges NSW Government to Use Baited Hooks for Shark Mitigation

Commercial fisherman Ian Puckeridge is urging the New South Wales government to deploy baited hooks on state beaches to mitigate shark attacks [1, 2].

The proposal suggests a fundamental shift in how the state manages marine safety by moving mitigation authority away from scientists and toward industry professionals [1, 2].

Puckeridge, a long-time fisherman and commercial diver, argues that the current scientific approach is insufficient. He believes the Minns government should give the commercial fishing industry a greater role in determining how to protect swimmers and surfers ^[2].

To support his position, Puckeridge pointed to the strategies used in another Australian state. "I know in Queensland, they use baited hooks that are left overnight, as well as nets on the beaches," Puckeridge said ^[2].

He argues that these aggressive mitigation tactics have proven effective in reducing the frequency of encounters between humans and sharks. "They've had far less attacks in Queensland on their beaches than we're having in New South Wales," Puckeridge said ^[2].

While the debate over active mitigation like hooks and nets continues, the state has focused on emergency response. Currently, 129 beaches in New South Wales are equipped with shark-bite trauma kits ^[3].

These kits provide immediate medical intervention for victims, but Puckeridge maintains that prevention through removal or deterrence is the superior strategy. He suggests that adopting the Queensland model of overnight baited hooks could significantly lower the risk for beachgoers across the state [1, 2].