Surfer Lives Matter hashtag appears in Australian town after shark attacks

A spate of shark attacks along the northern New South Wales coast line of Australia, have brought with them a bizarre adaptation of the #BlackLivesMatter slogan.

In response to four recent attacks and the proposed installation of controversial shark nets along the popular coast line, someone graffitied "#SurferLivesMatter" on the road.

SEE ALSO: Students suspended after mocking Black Lives Matter in Snapchat videos

The co-opted Black Lives Matter hashtag movement was seen by many some local commentators as inappropriate -- trivialising the importance of the movement it references.

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The Indigenous advocacy Facebook group Blackfulla Revolution posted the photo, fielding the debate as to its appropriateness -- with fairly mixed responses.

story about shark attacks in northern nsw on abc news rn: someone has sprayed #surferlivesmatter on the pier.
get.
a.
fucking.
grip.

— courteneyh (@courteneyh) October 24, 2016

The majority of residents in the beach communities of northern New South Wales have been rallying against the introduction of shark nets, with huge crowds meeting at Ballina's Lighthouse beach this week in protest.

Lighthouse Beach Ballina. We say no to shark nets!! pic.twitter.com/DpRRoT5I0F

— Rochelle Ferris (@Turtle_Shell_Oz) October 22, 2016

@mikebairdMP majority here in Ballina do NOT want shark nets!!!!

— Kathryn (@kaffisbland) October 25, 2016

No shark nets at Ballina beach!!! No fricken way. Its not the answer! Its their territory not ours. @7NewsSydney

— Guy (@greysfan) October 23, 2016

Shark nets have been known to trap and injure sea life, with some local groups looking to technological innovations for more environmentally-friendly alternatives to keeping sharks at bay.