The ocean has always been a big part of Glen Butler's life. He's been a surfer for 50 years and, in that time, he says he rarely thought about sharks. 'You're aware you're stepping into their environment, so you're cautious,' the 61-year-old told the BBC. But Mr. Butler's confidence on the water was shattered last month. He had gone for a surf with his friends one Saturday morning at Long Reef in Sydney's northern beaches. A few minutes after Mr. Butler got out of the water, fellow surfer Mercury Psillakis was killed by a great white shark. 'It's shaken us up a bit,' Mr. Butler admits. Mercury and his twin brother Mike were well-known in the local community, he adds: 'You'd always say g'day.' The killing has revived a long-running and delicate debate about how to keep beachgoers safe in Australia's waters and turned the spotlight on the state of New South Wales (NSW). Authorities here have a range of measures in their arsenal to mitigate the risk of shark attacks, but the most famous - and most controversial - are nets which are rolled out each summer at many beaches. Conservationists say the nets do more harm than good – doing little to stop sharks reaching popular breaks and causing massive harm to other marine life – but many scared beachgoers remain attached to them as another layer of protection. Australia is home to some of the world's best beaches. More than 80% of the population lives on the coast, so an early morning swim or surf is standard for thousands of people every day. But there are people who feel that daily ritual is becoming increasingly risky. Mirek Craney is one of them. The 66-year-old Sydneysider remembers gawking at enormous great white sharks hauled in by fishermen as a kid, but now he feels increasingly anxious about the creatures since his daughter was bitten by a shark five years ago. This fear is becoming all the more pronounced as more surfers express seeing more shark sightings closer to shore. Experts argue that while Australia is indeed a shark attack hotspot, the likelihood of being bitten remains low compared to other risks, like drowning. The state government’s shark nets, used since 1937 at 51 beaches, have faced growing scrutiny for their ineffectiveness and cruelty, with many non-target species dying in them. Critics question whether they truly enhance safety and suggest alternatives like drumlines, drones, and enhanced swimmer education. Despite ongoing controversies, a recent shark attack leaves authorities hesitant, fearing that any moves away from nets could lead to further tragic incidents.