shark net, noun phrase

A net suspended from buoys and positioned off-shore to protect bathers from shark attacks. Hence shark netting noun phrase, the material (now usually flat braided polyethylene twine) from which the nets are made, and as a verbal noun, the employment of shark nets.
Note:
Introduced in Australia in 1937, nets were first installed in South Africa in 1952. They do not form a continuous barrier, but reduce the shark population in the bathing area to such an extent that there is virtually no risk of attack.
1962 J. Allen in Star 16 Feb. 14Another pointer to the massive population of the world’s sharks is the evidence of the few hundred yards of shark nets erected off the South African coast at Durban for the protection of bathers. During the first year, ten years ago, 552 sharks became entangled.
1965 J. Malherbe Port Natal 248Today people bathe in safety along the whole stretch of bathing beaches..thanks to the highly effective shark nets that have been installed along this stretch.
1970 UCT Studies in Eng. I. 33The bracelets were originally made of shark netting. The surfer would dig his way out to the shark nets, cut himself a piece and tie it around his wrist.
1981 G. & M. Branch Living Shores 133Shark nets act like giant gill nets, enmeshing the sharks...The success of shark nets in reducing attack is proven beyond doubt.
1992 A. Gifford in Afr. Wildlife Vol.46 No.6, 252Shark-netting, as practised off the Natal Coast..is exacting a terrible toll on other marine animals as well.
1992 Dudley & Cliff in Afr. Wildlife Vol.46 No.6, 255There is..no conclusive evidence that the shark-nets are fishing any species at a non-sustainable rate, although there is cause for concern about two species of dolphin.
1992 Dudley & Cliff in Afr. Wildlife Vol.46 No.6, 257One of the most emotive issues related to shark-netting is the annual mortality of some 80 dolphins.
1994 N.B. Wynne Informant, Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu-NatalThe first shark nets in South Africa were installed off Durban’s South Beach in 1952.
A net suspended from buoys and positioned off-shore to protect bathers from shark attacks. Hence shark netting noun phrase, the material (now usually flat braided polyethylene twine) from which the nets are made, and as a verbal noun, the employment of shark nets.
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