Conservation groups have welcomed a decision to cut the time shark nets are used on NSW beaches, but they say the measures should be done away with completely to prevent animals' unnecessary deaths.
The state government will trial scrapping the nets a month earlier than usual, ending the season - which begins in September - on March 31, 2025.
The change comes in response to increased activity in April among turtles, which are at risk of entanglement during their annual migrations.
But Humane Society International Australia said nets are effectively redundant as successive NSW governments have made use of modern shark-attack prevention methods such as drones and tagging.
All the nets were accomplishing was placing endangered species at risk, marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck said on Wednesday.
"Critically endangered grey nurse sharks are dying in the nets in alarming numbers, hastening their extinction on the east coast," he said.
"For every targeted shark caught last season, 17 other marine animals become entangled in the nets. Many of them were dead when found."
Premier Chris Minns has ruled out completely getting rid of shark nets, which have been set up annually for more than eight decades at beaches spanning from Wollongong to Newcastle.
He emphasised safety was the government's priority and an incremental approach was needed as alternate technology, such as smart drumlines, was rolled out.
"I've got to be comfortable that technology is good enough to be brought in at scale and I'm not prepared to make that call this year," he told reporters.
But Mr Minns noted the use of nets was relatively rare outside NSW, pointing out that both Victoria and South Australia did not use shark nets.
"Shark nets don't exist in California, in Hawaii, in Florida, in any of the other major surfing destinations around the world," he said.
Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said keeping beach-goers safe was the priority, but striking a balance that also protected sea-life was key.
"As we map the future of this program we will listen to local communities, and consider the best available evidence to ensure we are striking the right balance at our beaches," she said.
The possibility of local councils being able to make decisions on the use or removal of shark nets was also being looked at, the government said.
Other measures to be trialled during the 2024-25 peak season will be inspecting nets for trapped animals every two days instead of every three and more drone inspections on other days.
Lights will also be used on the nets in February and March to deter turtles, while dolphin pingers and whale alarms to be fitted for the safety of those mammals.
Only 24 of the 228 animals caught in the 2022-23 netting season were the targeted sharks.
