Published Tuesday, 24 April, 2007 at 03:05 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
SHARK FRENZY SPARKS WARNING
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin has warned Gold Coast residents not to take unnecessary risks in the water with the increased shark activity generated by a whale carcass offshore.
The warning follows reports of a person yesterday entering the water with a shark pack feeding on the whale.
“Such irresponsible actions fly in the face of the bather safety messages the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has been communicating to the public for years,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“As the agency responsible for the Shark Control Program we are constantly telling people not to swim in areas where sharks are more common or where they are feeding yet these people are going out of their way to do just that.
“I find it unbelievable that people would put their lives at risk by getting into the water in the vicinity of this shark feeding frenzy,” Mr Mulherin said.
“It not only puts the person undertaking the act at risk but also the lives of those who would feel compelled to assist should anything go wrong.
“Late last year I had to issue a warning after people were reported skylarking near shark safety equipment, pointing out that more than 550 sharks had been caught on drumlines or in nets across Queensland…and now this.
“This sort of behaviour is so dangerous it is incomprehensible.
“I hope this is the last we hear of this type of reckless behaviour especially as we head into the cooler months when shark feeding frenzies become more common as the sharks follow schools of fish closer to the shore.”
Mr Mulherin has warned all bathers to play it safe in the water by following these safety instructions:
• 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.
Media: 32396530
The warning follows reports of a person yesterday entering the water with a shark pack feeding on the whale.
“Such irresponsible actions fly in the face of the bather safety messages the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has been communicating to the public for years,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“As the agency responsible for the Shark Control Program we are constantly telling people not to swim in areas where sharks are more common or where they are feeding yet these people are going out of their way to do just that.
“I find it unbelievable that people would put their lives at risk by getting into the water in the vicinity of this shark feeding frenzy,” Mr Mulherin said.
“It not only puts the person undertaking the act at risk but also the lives of those who would feel compelled to assist should anything go wrong.
“Late last year I had to issue a warning after people were reported skylarking near shark safety equipment, pointing out that more than 550 sharks had been caught on drumlines or in nets across Queensland…and now this.
“This sort of behaviour is so dangerous it is incomprehensible.
“I hope this is the last we hear of this type of reckless behaviour especially as we head into the cooler months when shark feeding frenzies become more common as the sharks follow schools of fish closer to the shore.”
Mr Mulherin has warned all bathers to play it safe in the water by following these safety instructions:
• 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.
Media: 32396530