Ben Kneppers

Time and time again we have heard the various rumours and controversies concerning the use of shark nets at Manly beach and the surrounding waters. With gossip circulating in the public domain is ranging from the use of super high-tech shark tracking systems monitoring shark movements across all NSW shores to the more sombre existence of unbreachable nets running the entire length of the northern beaches and to the more extreme notion that the authorities are simply stating that the nets exist to dupe public confidence when in fact there is very little if any at all. Personally wishing to further understand this confusion, I decided to delve a little deeper and do a little research of my own.

By Ben Kneppers

I don’t get it. People come from all parts of the world (myself included) to come and enjoy the many beautiful beaches Australia has to offer. I think anyone that comes for a visit would agree how truly priceless these places are. Yet, again and again, some people are not thinking twice about leaving it littered with their rubbish.

Every day in Australia, an estimated 8 million items of litter become marine debris, which is significantly affecting the state of our beaches and coastlines (1).

by Ben Kneppers

The combined elements of H2O comprise one global interconnected body of salt water covering 71 percent of the world's surface. Customarily divided into several smaller seas, it is responsible for countles services necessary for keeping the earth stable; creating more than half of our oxygen; providing vital sources of protein, energy and minerals; driving weather systems; and moderating climate. Our manipulations of the ocean environment are creating an inbalance of innumerable wildlife species and if present trends continue, there will be an eventual crash on many levels bringing widespread suffering and irreparable damage.