SYDNEY, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Most of the nets set up as part of a trial to deal with shark threats in Australia's New South Wales state hauled in mostly bycatch including dolphins and turtles instead, according to latest figures.
The latest haul from the nets deployed in the state's north coast region between April and May included dead bycatch such as two great hammerheads, one leatherback turtle and two Indo-Pacific dolphins, the state department of primary industries reported.
Since late November 2017, the trial netted 145 animals from 17 species at five beach areas, with two of them being the targeted bull sharks. One critically endangered Grey Nurse shark was also captured and released alive.
The species being targeted also include white sharks and tiger sharks.
The trial, initiated by the department to help keep dangerous sharks from swimmers, also features dolphin pingers and whale alarms to keep other marine animals away from the nets.
Authorities said they have modified net designs but local communities are still expressing concerns about the amount of bycatch, according to local media.
"Over the last two shark-net trials we've now killed eight dolphins. We've decimated the local population, and that's something I feel shame about," Ballina town's Deputy Mayor Keith Williams told reporters.
"I think the data is really clear. The nets are really not working."
The department said it would discuss the latest developments with marine specialists and communities as part of their shark mitigation strategy for the region.
