CATCH HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO STEER CLEAR OF SHARK EQUIPMENT
Published Wednesday, 18 October, 2006 at 10:45 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Eight 4-metre-plus sharks were among 553 caught last financial year in shark nets and on drumlines, prompting a warning by Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin for swimmers to steer clear of control shark control equipment.
“It’s seems inconceivable that some people would be deliberately in the water near shark safety gear,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“But the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has had a number of recent reports of people going too close to nets and drumlines.
“Shark control equipment is designed to capture large and dangerous shark species.
“Swimming, windsurfing, or board paddling near the gear not only shows a complete absence of common sense but is extremely dangerous.
“In addition to increasing the risk of shark attack, people are also putting themselves at risk of being tangled or hooked on the gear which could cause serious injury or drowning.’’
Mr Mulherin said that he hoped by releasing these statistics, beachgoers who are putting their lives at risk by venturing too close to shark control equipment, would think twice about their actions.
“People should also be aware that the bigger and more aggressive sharks, particularly Tiger sharks, follow whales migrating south at this time of year.
“This brings these species closer to shore and may mean increased activity around the shark control equipment.”
Mr Mulherin said of the 553 sharks caught in the 2005/2006 financial year, nearly half (250) were more than 2 metres in length.
“Any size shark can cause serious injury or death if they attack, however, sharks more than 2 metres in length are particularly dangerous.
“The biggest shark recorded caught in the safety equipment in the last financial year was a 4.5m Tiger shark captured off Kelly’s Beach near Bundaberg.”
Other 4-metre-plus shark catches were at:
• Bucasia Beach, Mackay - 4.1m Tiger shark
• Mullambin Beach, Capricorn Coast - 4m Tiger shark
• Tanby Point, Capricorn Coast - 4.2m Tiger shark
• Currimundi, Sunshine Coast - 4.2m Tiger shark
• Tannum Sands, Gladstone - 4.2m Tiger shark
• Wurtulla, Sunshine Coast - 4m Hammerhead
• Horseshoe Bay, Townsville - 4.1m Great Hammerhead.
Mr Mulherin said this year’s shark catch total had decreased from the 2004/2005 financial year when 630 sharks were caught in nets and drumlines throughout the State.
The Shark Control Program was introduced in 1962 following a spate of fatal shark attacks off Queensland beaches.
"The Shark Control Program methods provide the best swimmer protection for the least incidental bycatch of non-target species,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Since 1992 the SSP has had 28 entanglements of Humpback whales in SSP equipment and has successfully released 24 of these alive. Only one entanglement in shark control equipment has been recorded so far this migration season despite the increasing whale population.
"The purpose of the program is to protect human life by catching sharks using nets or baited drumlines off the Queensland coast adjacent to major swimming centres.
"Each piece of fishing equipment is serviced every second day, weather permitting. Sharks caught in the nets and on drumlines are disposed of."
Mr Mulherin said DPI&F continues to promote rules for safe swimming to reduce the risk of shark attack. These rules included:
• 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 (SCP) equipment
• Do not swim with animals.
Media: David Potter 32396530
“It’s seems inconceivable that some people would be deliberately in the water near shark safety gear,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“But the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has had a number of recent reports of people going too close to nets and drumlines.
“Shark control equipment is designed to capture large and dangerous shark species.
“Swimming, windsurfing, or board paddling near the gear not only shows a complete absence of common sense but is extremely dangerous.
“In addition to increasing the risk of shark attack, people are also putting themselves at risk of being tangled or hooked on the gear which could cause serious injury or drowning.’’
Mr Mulherin said that he hoped by releasing these statistics, beachgoers who are putting their lives at risk by venturing too close to shark control equipment, would think twice about their actions.
“People should also be aware that the bigger and more aggressive sharks, particularly Tiger sharks, follow whales migrating south at this time of year.
“This brings these species closer to shore and may mean increased activity around the shark control equipment.”
Mr Mulherin said of the 553 sharks caught in the 2005/2006 financial year, nearly half (250) were more than 2 metres in length.
“Any size shark can cause serious injury or death if they attack, however, sharks more than 2 metres in length are particularly dangerous.
“The biggest shark recorded caught in the safety equipment in the last financial year was a 4.5m Tiger shark captured off Kelly’s Beach near Bundaberg.”
Other 4-metre-plus shark catches were at:
• Bucasia Beach, Mackay - 4.1m Tiger shark
• Mullambin Beach, Capricorn Coast - 4m Tiger shark
• Tanby Point, Capricorn Coast - 4.2m Tiger shark
• Currimundi, Sunshine Coast - 4.2m Tiger shark
• Tannum Sands, Gladstone - 4.2m Tiger shark
• Wurtulla, Sunshine Coast - 4m Hammerhead
• Horseshoe Bay, Townsville - 4.1m Great Hammerhead.
Mr Mulherin said this year’s shark catch total had decreased from the 2004/2005 financial year when 630 sharks were caught in nets and drumlines throughout the State.
The Shark Control Program was introduced in 1962 following a spate of fatal shark attacks off Queensland beaches.
"The Shark Control Program methods provide the best swimmer protection for the least incidental bycatch of non-target species,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Since 1992 the SSP has had 28 entanglements of Humpback whales in SSP equipment and has successfully released 24 of these alive. Only one entanglement in shark control equipment has been recorded so far this migration season despite the increasing whale population.
"The purpose of the program is to protect human life by catching sharks using nets or baited drumlines off the Queensland coast adjacent to major swimming centres.
"Each piece of fishing equipment is serviced every second day, weather permitting. Sharks caught in the nets and on drumlines are disposed of."
Mr Mulherin said DPI&F continues to promote rules for safe swimming to reduce the risk of shark attack. These rules included:
• 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 (SCP) equipment
• Do not swim with animals.
Media: David Potter 32396530