New NSW shark net destroyed by the ocean

There is bad news for shark-fearing beach goers on the NSW north coast after a new net was ripped apart by the ocean.

The second of two trials to see if shark nets would work on the NSW north coast has failed after the net was destroyed by sea swells.

The Lennox Head barrier trial was discontinued after it broke loose in swells.

The first trial in Ballina was deemed a failure after it wasn't able to be safely installed.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has said it will concentrate on aerial surveillance, shark tagging and drumlines to keep swimmers safe from sharks.

There have been four unprovoked shark attacks so far in NSW for 2016 with one person injured.

There were 14 unprovoked cases recorded in 2015.