Almost 70 per cent of Noosa respondents to a shark net survey want the nets removed during whale migration season and more than 80 per cent want more research and education on the issue.
In response to community concerns regarding whale entanglements in shark nets, Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton opened a survey on 12 March to gauge the views of Noosa State Electorate residents regarding the use of shark nets at Noosa Main Beach.
This included whether further alternative shark control measures were supported during whale migration season, or throughout the year, in efforts to reduce impacts to other marine species including turtles. The survey closed on 1 April and the results have been anyalysed.
“Of the 405 Noosa Electorate responses, the majority (75.06 per cent) did not support the continued use of shark nets on Noosa Main Beach however they differed when it came to the specifics.
“This included in relation to whale migration season where 68.96 per cent supported removing the nets without an alternative shark control method however only 51.65 per cent supported this all-year round,” Ms Bolton said.
In addition to the survey, Ms Bolton also received additional feedback via email that had diverse views from being that there have been no fatalities at Noosa since the shark nets were implemented hence should be retained, to others who raised the need to use alternatives as being trialed elsewhere.
“The survey results, including that over 83 per cent supported additional funding for education and research, will now be taken forward to the Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries. This with an emphasis to accelerate trials currently underway into alternative shark control methods, in efforts to reduce impacts to marine life while maintaining human safety,” she said.
“In addition, our office will continue to work with advocates, Noosa Council, Tourism Noosa, the Noosa Biosphere Foundation and our community to obtain a united consensus, as this is vital moving into the future,” said Sandy.
The survey follows a meeting held last October after the entanglement of a whale calf in shark nets on Main Beach drove home the importance for stakeholders to bring together factual data, community education and, as a united front, find an alternative solution to the nets during whale migration to keep both humans and marine life safe at Noosa beaches.
Led by Surfrider Foundation Australia secretary Caz Lansdown, Noosa MP Sandy Bolton and Noosa councillor Amelia Lorentson the meeting was called to discuss the shark nets. Invitations were sent to 22 Noosa organisations, including SLSC, Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Sea Shepherd, tour operators, scientists, conservationists, wildlife rescuers and surfers.
In the 12 months prior seven humpback whales have been entangled in shark nets on the Sunshine Coast and whales were not the only bycatch in the nets, the meeting heard.
From 2001-2023 there have been 18,000 animals caught in the shark nets of which 17,000 were vulnerable, threatened or endangered.
Currently, Noosa Main Beach has standard shark nets in place, with shark-spotting drones being trialed, and other alternatives being tested in various regions that include, but are not restricted to, smart drumlines.
“As an Independent MP, it is important for me to hear directly from our residents, as I do not simply adopt the ideology or beliefs of any particular political party, nor my own views.” Sandy said.
See the full survey results on Noosa 360 at SandyBolton.com/Noosa360, which also has updates on many local matters.
