Shark nets overwhelmingly catch turtles and other non-target creatures but human safety will be prioritised over a staged rollback of the rudimentary devices.

Details about animals entangled in Australia's largest network of shark nets last summer was revealed days after a rare fatality on Sydney's beaches.

The majority of marine animals caught died, with targeted shark species only accounting for one in 10 captured.

The 51 nets installed on NSW beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong stretch 150 metres and extend metres below the surface.

The nets are installed at the start of September and remain through summer.

But they were pulled a month earlier than usual in March, due to increased turtle activity in April.

Of the 13 turtles ensnared in the nets seven died. Green turtles wer

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