"My thoughts are with Sam Morgan and his family and I am sure the whole community wishes him a speedy recovery.
The North Coast community has shown overwhelming support for the implementation of non-lethal shark barriers and deterrents. The Government has responded to our calls and I would like to see those technologies implemented as soon as possible in the Ballina region.
Unfortunately no technology is going to fully remove the risk of shark encounters for surfers and other ocean users, but an approach involving public awareness, surveillance, research and non-lethal shark exclusion devices and deterrents offer the best approach."