Aussie authorities mull legalizing shark nets after rise in attacks

Sydney: Australia has been going through a lot of shark attacks as of late, which has the government considering plans to introduce a new bill in November to legalize a six-month trial of shark nets on the North Coast.

The latest attack took place at Broken Head near Byron Bay, after a surfer escaped a run-in with a shark, with just a few teeth marks on his thigh.

The thirty-six-year-old man was waiting for a wave when the shark swam under him, but the marine predator got the surfboard, while its intended prey escaped, with three deep punctures in his thigh.

The beach was not patrolled at the time and has been closed. Surf lifesavers have also closed other beaches in the Byron Bay region for 24 hours.

The shark nets, that the Aussie authorities are pondering over, would be deployed on the North Coast beaches before the Christmas holidays after Parliament passes the legislation, Xinhua news reported.

New South Wales Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair said the state would introduce a dedicated legislation to regulate the mesh nets on a trial basis.

"No one measure can stop shark attacks, but this trial of traditional nets will complement our existing $12.17 million Shark Management Strategy, and help reduce the risk of further attacks," Blair said in a statement.

"Fisheries experts from Department of Primary Industries are investigating how mesh nets might be improved to avoid unnecessary hazard to marine life," Blair said

However, protecting human life is the first priority, he said.

There were 13 shark attacks reported at NSW beaches since February. 

Check out a tweet showing an image of the latest Byron Bay attack:

Pic of surfer bitten by shark at Broken Head this morning via @sealspirit https://t.co/O6NyxmalpL @newscomauHQ pic.twitter.com/vsGp6hpY7Y — Liz Burke (@lizeburke) October 23, 2016

(With IANS inputs)