Protection from sharks to be trialled

There have been 13 shark attacks in NSW so far this year, up from three last year, and one surfer has been killed. Photo / Getty Images

Australian beachgoers should not expect new shark protection measures to be in place this summer, but New South Wales Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair says he hopes to have trials under way.

Experts from Australia, South Africa and the US gathered in Sydney yesterday for what has been touted as the nation's first shark summit.

Scientists are comparing notes on technologies that can best protect swimmers and surfers from attack.

There have been 13 shark attacks in NSW so far this year, up from three last year, and one surfer has been killed.

The Government has already responded to a spate of high-profile attacks on the NSW north coast with a A$250,000 ($275,000) shark-tagging programme and an independent review of detection and deterrence technologies.

"We're looking at all of the options," Blair said.

"As a result of today we will have technologies that we will be able to advance through testing this summer - within our own controlled environments or on the coast."

But he has ruled out any wholesale cull of great white sharks, which are protected under NSW law.

The DPI's top shark biologist Dr Vic Peddemors told reporters he believed beachgoers wanted a more environmentally friendly approach than old-fashioned nets.

"We feel that they have been effective but they do have obvious by-catch issues," Peddemors said.

"That is what we are trying to overcome - where we can protect people with minimal impact on the environment."

He has also vowed not to simply "placate" beachgoers, saying any technologies introduced would have to stand up to tough NSW coastal conditions.

Research from the University of Sydney found more than 80 per cent of residents living in Ballina and Byron Bay wanted non-lethal technologies.

NSW beaches with shark nets

• 51 beaches in NSW are protected by shark nets.

• The Shark Meshing Programme was introduced in 1937.

• Only one fatal shark attack has occurred on a netted beach since the SMP started.

• Nets cover only part of a beach and are designed to deter sharks from creating territories.

- AAP