Although shark fishing has been prohibited by council on Tathra Wharf since 1996, the rules have been almost impossible to enforce, spawning dangerous acts near swimmers and the growth of social media boasting.

Mr Armstrong said that shark fishing was completely out of control and that the numbers were "staggering".

He said that steel traces (to stop sharks biting through fishing lines), long lines that were being taken out by boat and live bait on very large hooks were seeing sharks hauled into Tathra Wharf.

"Bloodied and angry sharks are dangerous and bring in other predators. This is bringing these sharks into the beach," Mr Armstrong said.

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"We are swimming over carcasses everyday," Mr Armstrong, who remains a regular swimmer said.

He also said it was affecting the community with holiday accommodation providers being asked about the shark situation.

Cr David Porter who brought the motion to strengthen the ban, said local residents, business owners and tourists were rightly aggravated over the issue while shark fishermen publicly flaunt the laws on social media.

"Regular fisherfolk feel concerned that laws banning their hobby altogether could result from the dangerous acts of a minority and tourist organisations fear another shark attack on a swimmer would damage the reputation of Tathra as a holiday destination," Cr Porter said.

"Shark fishermen have been carrying lines out by boat and bring sharks into the swimming area, these sharks are often released in an injured and agitated state increasing the possibility of a human attack."

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Mr Armstrong said the situation was affecting the Surf Life Saving Club, of which he was a member.

He said a young surf life saver on an inflatible rescue boat recently got hooked into one of the long lines.

"If she had been going to a rescue that could have cost someone's life," he said.

Mr Armstrong spoke strongly in favour of banning the steel traces and large hooks and councillors voted unanimously for the erection of signs at Tathra Wharf that prohibit the use of wire traces from the shoreline on and within 250 metres of Tathra Wharf with information about the fine and number to call to report violations.

By prohibiting the use of wire traces, it becomes difficult to catch a shark and very easy to enforce as the simple presence of a wire trace on a fishing line is an immediate fine (currently $1100).

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