An $88 million plan that includes the expansion of nets and drumlines off South-East Queensland beaches has drawn fire from conservationists.
The Queensland Government last week announced its largest investment in shark management: a four-year project including a roll-out of nets, drumlines, drone surveillance, whale-deterrent measures and expanded research.
Control initiatives are set to be introduced at a dozen locations, including four on the Sunshine Coast at Happy Valley (drumlines), Coolum North (net and drumlines), Peregian North (net and drumlines) and Mooloolaba (drones).
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the “big and bold” announcement stood to benefit beachgoers, fishers and the $33 billion tourism industry.
“It puts swimmer safety first,” he said.
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“More beaches will have more protections in place, there will be more money spent on new technologies and innovation and more investment in leading research.”
“We’re striking the right balance between ensuring swimmer safety and maintaining a healthy marine environment, as well as upholding Queensland’s international tourism reputation as a safe place to enjoy some of the best beaches in the world.
“This plan recalibrates to protect people, while ensuring the ocean ecosystem
remains healthy and thrives into the future.”
But the Australian Marine Conservation Society slammed the announcement.
AMCS shark scientist Dr Leonardo Guida said the control methods were outdated and impractical.
“This is 2025 … expanding a 63-year-old marine cull flies in the face of modern science and common sense,” he said.
“Shark culling is not only ineffective, it’s a distraction from real solutions that actually improve people’s safety.
“If the Queensland Government is serious about bather safety … it should be fully investing in modern, non-lethal measures like real-time shark tracking, drones and public education programs.
“We don’t accept 63-year-old safety standards in our homes, schools or workplaces so why should our beaches be any different?”
There are several locations on the Sunshine Coast that already have shark control measures.
The Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton welcomed the plans for more, including at Happy Valley in her electorate.
“Swimmer safety is a top priority and it’s important that everyone feels confident and
secure while enjoying the ocean,” she said.
“Tools like drumlines and shark nets have proven to make a real difference in reducing the number of shark incidents when they’re actively in place.”
The state government stated that qualified experts in marine fields were consulted for the program’s evaluation report, which found that it was likely that shark control equipment, such as drumlines and nets, contributed to substantially lower shark attacks.
The new locations, which will be subject to further detailed assessment and community consultation, were identified based on Surf Life Saving Queensland presence and data showing increasing beach use.
But Humane World for Animals marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck said there was no place for nets and drumlines.
“If the Queensland Government is serious about public safety, they would look at the science and invest completely in the modern alternatives that are proven to work,” he said.
“The removal of apex predators from the food chain can cause an ecological collapse, known as a trophic cascade, where the natural populations of other species either explode or disappear as the predator/prey balance is distorted,” he said.
“It will (also) cause the death of a huge number of non-target animals that are casualties of the program.
“While we acknowledge the increase in drone surveillance, the increased use of shark nets and traditional lethal drumlines is a is a slap in the face to every Queensland voter who cares about the health of the marine environment”.
