Sample Letter to a Minister

Take Action!

Please send this letter to the following Ministers to let them know how you feel about shark nets. Make sure you include your address (so they can reply).

The Hon. Ian MacDonald

NSW Minister for Primary Industries
Level 33 Governor Macquarie Tower
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9228 3344
Fax (02) 9228 3452
Email: macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.nsw.gov.au

The Hon John Robertson
NSW Minister for Climate Change and the Environment
Level 35 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9228 5661
Fax (02) 9228 5168
Email office@robertson.minister.nsw.gov.au

The Hon Peter Garrett
Federal Minister for Environment, Heritage & The Arts
PO Box 6022
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone 02 6277 7640
Fax 02 6273 6101
Email him via http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/memfeedback.asp?id=HV4

Dear (Insert name of minister)

I am writing to draw your attention to the issue of the use of shark nets off New South Wales beaches. Protective measures against sharks are not necessary, as they pose such a small risk to swimmers. Over the past 218 years, the number of fatal shark attacks has remained steady at approximately one per year.

The belief commonly held by the general public that nets are designed to prevent sharks reaching the beach is incorrect, as approximately forty percent of sharks entangled are caught on the beach side. Sharks can easily swim around shark nets, which are merely designed to kill sharks, rather than protect the public. The large number of other animals, such as whales, dolphins and turtles, caught in the nets is unacceptable and unnecessary. Many of these species are endangered and thus the nets work in opposition to any of the Government's marine conservation plans.

Even if preventative measures were deemed necessary by the government, I implore you to consider the alternative solutions that would minimise the harm to sharks and other species, some of which are endangered. These technologies include sonar devices, shields and enclosures. Aerial patrols of beaches should be increased to warn beach-goers when sharks are around.

For the reasons expressed above, I urge you to remove all shark nets from New South Wales beaches. Please inform me of any measures taken by your department to address these issues, or any plans currently being developed in response.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

(Insert your name here)