SWIM WITH CAUTION IN WARMER WEATHER
Published Wednesday, 27 September, 2006 at 10:45 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin has warned swimmers to be aware of sharks with the arrival of warmer weather.
“With the weather warming up and school holidays underway, people are not the only ones becoming more active in Queensland’s waterways,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“The warmer and wetter weather means Queensland’s shark activity is also on the rise.
“People need to remember that sharks are a natural part of the marine environment and when we enter the water we are entering their domain,” Mr Mulherin said.
“People should avoid swimming near river mouths, in canals, artificial lakes and waterways, particularly early in the morning, evening and at night.
“Fatal shark attacks in Gold Coast canals in recent years have highlighted the dangers of swimming in these areas.”
Mr Mullherin said bull whaler sharks were most likely to inhabit these areas as they were able to tolerate freshwater and often preferred shallow habitats.
“The bull whaler can be found far up rivers and in some parts of the world have been recorded hundreds even thousands of kilometres upstream. This is due to their ability to tolerate low-salinity waters,” he said.
“They are also extremely aggressive which makes it particularly dangerous to swim in these spots.
“I would strongly encourage bathers to use patrolled beaches as a safer alternative.”
Shark control equipment is in place at more than 80 of Queensland’s most popular beaches and helps to protect swimmers by catching large sharks in a localised area thus reducing the risk of attack. These beaches also have the added protection of having lifesavers and lifeguards on duty.
“While shark control equipment is in place, people are still urged to take care when swimming at the beach as this equipment does not provide an impenetrable barrier between bathers and sharks,” Mr Mulherin said.
“People also need to be sensible about their activities. For example, cleaning fish at the waters edge is not a safe practice, particularly if there are swimmers nearby.”
Mr Mulherin said that while the chance of shark attack is low, there are some simple rules for safe swimming which can help reduce the risk of incidents involving sharks and humans:
• Swim or surf only at patrolled beaches and between the flags.
• Obey the lifesavers’ and lifeguards’ advice, and heed all sign and safety warnings.
• Leave the water immediately if a shark is sighted.
• Do not swim or surf after dusk, at night or before dawn when sharks are most active.
• Do not swim or surf in murky waters.
• Do not swim in or near mouths of estuaries, artificial canals and lakes.
• Never swim alone.
• Never swim when bleeding.
• Do not swim near schools of fish or where fish are being cleaned.
• Do not swim near or interfere with Shark Control Program equipment.
• Do not swim with animals.
In addition to warning bathers, DPI&F has recently launched a campaign educating recreational fishers about the dangers of berleying for, and catching, sharks.
“The campaign focuses on the dangers of shark fishing but it also encourages recreational fishers to be considerate of bathers and avoid fishing for sharks in popular bathing areas,” Mr Mulherin said.
For more information about the Shark Control Program and how it is helping to keep Queensland beaches safe visit the DPI&F Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb.
Media: David Potter 32396530
“With the weather warming up and school holidays underway, people are not the only ones becoming more active in Queensland’s waterways,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“The warmer and wetter weather means Queensland’s shark activity is also on the rise.
“People need to remember that sharks are a natural part of the marine environment and when we enter the water we are entering their domain,” Mr Mulherin said.
“People should avoid swimming near river mouths, in canals, artificial lakes and waterways, particularly early in the morning, evening and at night.
“Fatal shark attacks in Gold Coast canals in recent years have highlighted the dangers of swimming in these areas.”
Mr Mullherin said bull whaler sharks were most likely to inhabit these areas as they were able to tolerate freshwater and often preferred shallow habitats.
“The bull whaler can be found far up rivers and in some parts of the world have been recorded hundreds even thousands of kilometres upstream. This is due to their ability to tolerate low-salinity waters,” he said.
“They are also extremely aggressive which makes it particularly dangerous to swim in these spots.
“I would strongly encourage bathers to use patrolled beaches as a safer alternative.”
Shark control equipment is in place at more than 80 of Queensland’s most popular beaches and helps to protect swimmers by catching large sharks in a localised area thus reducing the risk of attack. These beaches also have the added protection of having lifesavers and lifeguards on duty.
“While shark control equipment is in place, people are still urged to take care when swimming at the beach as this equipment does not provide an impenetrable barrier between bathers and sharks,” Mr Mulherin said.
“People also need to be sensible about their activities. For example, cleaning fish at the waters edge is not a safe practice, particularly if there are swimmers nearby.”
Mr Mulherin said that while the chance of shark attack is low, there are some simple rules for safe swimming which can help reduce the risk of incidents involving sharks and humans:
• Swim or surf only at patrolled beaches and between the flags.
• Obey the lifesavers’ and lifeguards’ advice, and heed all sign and safety warnings.
• Leave the water immediately if a shark is sighted.
• Do not swim or surf after dusk, at night or before dawn when sharks are most active.
• Do not swim or surf in murky waters.
• Do not swim in or near mouths of estuaries, artificial canals and lakes.
• Never swim alone.
• Never swim when bleeding.
• Do not swim near schools of fish or where fish are being cleaned.
• Do not swim near or interfere with Shark Control Program equipment.
• Do not swim with animals.
In addition to warning bathers, DPI&F has recently launched a campaign educating recreational fishers about the dangers of berleying for, and catching, sharks.
“The campaign focuses on the dangers of shark fishing but it also encourages recreational fishers to be considerate of bathers and avoid fishing for sharks in popular bathing areas,” Mr Mulherin said.
For more information about the Shark Control Program and how it is helping to keep Queensland beaches safe visit the DPI&F Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb.
Media: David Potter 32396530