Noosa residents are set to have their say on shark nets during whale migration season this year, along with the support of a newly formed Shark Net working group.
This follows the recent release of the death toll from Queensland’s lethal shark culling program from 2023, and footage of a tiger shark being stabbed in waters off the Sunshine Coast by Queensland Shark Control Program contractors.
Humane Society International (HSI) Australia and Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) analysis of the shark culling program data found that in total 722 marine animals were either killed or found dead after being drowned in the nets or hooked on the lethal drumlines between 1 January and 31 December, 2023.
Some of the non-target victims include dugongs, dolphins, turtles and manta rays. Of the 614 non-target animals caught, only 30 per cent were released alive.
In the local area, two dugongs were caught and found dead off Noosa Main Beach and Alexandra Headland.
HSI Australia and AMCS are now urging the Queensland Government to end the Shark Control Program and focus on modern strategies to protect swimmers.
HSI Australia marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck said these figures tell a story of a depressing disregard for precious marine wildlife.
“How can we continue to let dugongs, dolphins and turtles suffer and die each year off Queensland beaches, and even in the Great Barrier Reef?”
“This data tells us plain and simple – nets and drumlines don’t discriminate. These wildlife death traps have a kill rate of 70 per cent for non-target animals.
“We saw the footage last week of the tiger shark being brutally killed. Now we know that this scene may have replayed up to 322 times in 2023 – once for every target shark caught in South East Queensland, if it survived the initial entanglement or hooking.”
AMCS shark scientist Dr Leonardo Guida said, “Queensland must modernise its 62-year-old beach safety standards to improve the safety of humans and wildlife alike.”
“Nobody would accept 62-year-old safety standards at home, work or school, and the beach should be no different.
“Queensland has the solutions in hand – comprehensive education programs, drones as invaluable eyes on the water, tagging and tracking sharks – all of which demonstrate the culling component of the program is redundant.”
In October 2023, a meeting was called to discuss shark nets in Noosa, with invitations sent to 22 Noosa organisations, including SLSC, Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Sea Shepherd, tour operators, scientists, conservationists, wildlife rescuers and surfers.
Independent Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton MP chaired the discussion, who said in her Noosa MP survey last year, 60 per cent of respondents supported removing the shark nets.
Sandy has now reiterated the importance of data and evidence during consultations and decision making, with a survey of Noosa residents to be held in March 2024 regarding shark nets during whale migration season.
“A Shark Net working group was established last year, chaired by the local branch of the Surfrider Foundation,” she said.
“The latest responses to us from State Government remain unchanged from the previous advice that no changes would be considered until the trials currently underway have been completed.
“To ensure you are informed of when the survey opens, please subscribe to our Newsletter as well stay updated via Noosa 360 at SandyBolton.com”
Department of Fisheries won’t consider shark net removal in Noosa until 2025 when the research program was completed.
