Published Thursday, 24 May, 2007 at 10:27 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
RELEASE TEAM EQUIPPED AND READY FOR WHALE MIGRATION
Preparations have been stepped up for this year’s whale migration season with Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries officers undertaking pre-season training in marine animal release techniques at Rainbow Beach.
Primary industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said that due to the ever-increasing population of whales travelling along Queensland’s coastline, it was crucial that Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers were kept up-to-date on response techniques to ensure caught animals had the best possible chance of survival.
“Winter and early spring are the most common times of year for animals to become entangled in the shark control equipment as they head north to calve in the northern waters and with this pre-emptive training, our Marine Animal Release Teams will be ready to respond,” Mr Mulherin said.
It is estimated that around 7000-plus whales undertake the annual east coast migration. Since 1990 just 32 have been caught in the shark control equipment with 28 of those released unharmed.
“We try to make the training as realistic as possible with the use of a simulated whale tail and practice exercises such as cutting nets, releasing ropes and observation exercises,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“DPI&F places extreme importance on the MART and its capabilities. With these teams and the additional equipment such as fitted acoustic markers on the shark nets, we are aiming for a 100 percent deterrence rate.
”Further training is scheduled for Mackay today.’’
Shark nets and drumlines are in place off 84 Queensland beaches to reduce the risk to bathers from shark attacks with beachgoers and residents also encouraged to look out for any possible entanglements in our waters.
Pingers are on all nets at Mackay, Rainbow Beach, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
“Early notification is one of the main keys to successfully freeing an entangled animal as the sooner we are notified, the sooner the MART can be on the scene to assist the animal,” Mr Mulherin said.
MART teams are based at Mackay, Noosa, Mooloolaba and the Gold Coast.
Members of the public who suspect entanglements should report them immediately to the DPI&F Shark Hotline on 1800 806 891. For more information on the Shark Control Program visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb.
Media:
Minister’s office: 3239 6530
DPI&F Mackay: Dan Stampa 0407 969 274
Primary industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said that due to the ever-increasing population of whales travelling along Queensland’s coastline, it was crucial that Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers were kept up-to-date on response techniques to ensure caught animals had the best possible chance of survival.
“Winter and early spring are the most common times of year for animals to become entangled in the shark control equipment as they head north to calve in the northern waters and with this pre-emptive training, our Marine Animal Release Teams will be ready to respond,” Mr Mulherin said.
It is estimated that around 7000-plus whales undertake the annual east coast migration. Since 1990 just 32 have been caught in the shark control equipment with 28 of those released unharmed.
“We try to make the training as realistic as possible with the use of a simulated whale tail and practice exercises such as cutting nets, releasing ropes and observation exercises,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“DPI&F places extreme importance on the MART and its capabilities. With these teams and the additional equipment such as fitted acoustic markers on the shark nets, we are aiming for a 100 percent deterrence rate.
”Further training is scheduled for Mackay today.’’
Shark nets and drumlines are in place off 84 Queensland beaches to reduce the risk to bathers from shark attacks with beachgoers and residents also encouraged to look out for any possible entanglements in our waters.
Pingers are on all nets at Mackay, Rainbow Beach, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
“Early notification is one of the main keys to successfully freeing an entangled animal as the sooner we are notified, the sooner the MART can be on the scene to assist the animal,” Mr Mulherin said.
MART teams are based at Mackay, Noosa, Mooloolaba and the Gold Coast.
Members of the public who suspect entanglements should report them immediately to the DPI&F Shark Hotline on 1800 806 891. For more information on the Shark Control Program visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb.
Media:
Minister’s office: 3239 6530
DPI&F Mackay: Dan Stampa 0407 969 274