Swimmers warned: Summer weather means active sharks
Published Tuesday, 13 November, 2007 at 11:16 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Eleven 4-metre-plus sharks, including a Tiger shark nearly 5m long, were among 550 caught last financial year in shark nets and on drumlines along the Queensland coast.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the shark statistics were a timely warning to swimmers to take care in the water as summer approaches.
Mr Mulherin said that he hoped by releasing these statistics, beachgoers would be more conscious of where and when they swim as sharks become more active during the hot and wet summer months.
“As the weather heats up people are always tempted to swim wherever they find a cool place to take a dip, but people need to be aware of the possible dangers that lurk below the surface,” Mr Mulherin said.
“I would strongly encourage people to think carefully about where and when they swim.
“Swimming near river mouths, in canals, and artificial lakes and waterways is dangerous.
“People should also be aware that the bigger and more aggressive sharks, particularly Tiger sharks, follow whales migrating south at this time of year which brings these species closer to shore and may mean increased activity around the shark control equipment.
“Shark control equipment is designed to capture these large and dangerous shark species, therefore activities such as swimming, windsurfing, or board paddling near the gear is extremely dangerous.”
Mr Mulherin said of the 550 sharks caught in the 2006/2007 financial year, 201 were more than 2 metres in length. The total is on par with the previous financial year.
“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 control equipment in the last financial year was a 4.8m Tiger shark captured off Emu Park Beach on the Capricorn Coast.”
Other 4-metre-plus shark catches were at:
• Fisherman Beach, Capricorn Coast – 4m
• Kelly’s Beach, Bundaberg – 4.2m
• Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast – 4m
• Lambert’s Beach, Mackay – 4.1m
• Harbour Beach, Mackay – 4.2m
• Rainbow Beach, – 4m
• Alma Bay, Magnetic Island, off Townsville – 4.2m
• Point Cartwright, Sunshine Coast – 4m
• Cooee Bay, Capricorn Coast – 4.2m
• Tannum Sands, Gladstone – 4.35m
Mr Mulherin said that Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast recorded the highest shark catch in the state with 80 sharks caught in this area during the past financial year.
“The statistics also show that the most commonly caught species in shark control gear was the tiger shark with 196 captured.”
Mr Mulherin said DPI&F was continuing its partnership with Surf Life Saving Queensland this summer to promote rules for safe swimming to reduce the risk of shark attack.
“Through our education partnership with Surf Life Saving Queensland, the rules about sharks and safe swimming practices have been reaching a much broader audience,” Mr Mulherin said.
These rules to remember are:
• 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.
Shark Control Program manager Tony Ham said the program was introduced in 1962 following a spate of fatal shark attacks off Queensland beaches.
“Shark control equipment is strategically placed off 85 beaches along the Queensland coast,’’ Mr Ham said.
“Most of these beaches also have the added protection of having lifesavers or lifeguards on duty.’’
For more information about the Shark Control Program visit the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb.
Media:
Minister office 32396530
Shark Control program Manager 3224 2286
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the shark statistics were a timely warning to swimmers to take care in the water as summer approaches.
Mr Mulherin said that he hoped by releasing these statistics, beachgoers would be more conscious of where and when they swim as sharks become more active during the hot and wet summer months.
“As the weather heats up people are always tempted to swim wherever they find a cool place to take a dip, but people need to be aware of the possible dangers that lurk below the surface,” Mr Mulherin said.
“I would strongly encourage people to think carefully about where and when they swim.
“Swimming near river mouths, in canals, and artificial lakes and waterways is dangerous.
“People should also be aware that the bigger and more aggressive sharks, particularly Tiger sharks, follow whales migrating south at this time of year which brings these species closer to shore and may mean increased activity around the shark control equipment.
“Shark control equipment is designed to capture these large and dangerous shark species, therefore activities such as swimming, windsurfing, or board paddling near the gear is extremely dangerous.”
Mr Mulherin said of the 550 sharks caught in the 2006/2007 financial year, 201 were more than 2 metres in length. The total is on par with the previous financial year.
“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 control equipment in the last financial year was a 4.8m Tiger shark captured off Emu Park Beach on the Capricorn Coast.”
Other 4-metre-plus shark catches were at:
• Fisherman Beach, Capricorn Coast – 4m
• Kelly’s Beach, Bundaberg – 4.2m
• Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast – 4m
• Lambert’s Beach, Mackay – 4.1m
• Harbour Beach, Mackay – 4.2m
• Rainbow Beach, – 4m
• Alma Bay, Magnetic Island, off Townsville – 4.2m
• Point Cartwright, Sunshine Coast – 4m
• Cooee Bay, Capricorn Coast – 4.2m
• Tannum Sands, Gladstone – 4.35m
Mr Mulherin said that Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast recorded the highest shark catch in the state with 80 sharks caught in this area during the past financial year.
“The statistics also show that the most commonly caught species in shark control gear was the tiger shark with 196 captured.”
Mr Mulherin said DPI&F was continuing its partnership with Surf Life Saving Queensland this summer to promote rules for safe swimming to reduce the risk of shark attack.
“Through our education partnership with Surf Life Saving Queensland, the rules about sharks and safe swimming practices have been reaching a much broader audience,” Mr Mulherin said.
These rules to remember are:
• 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.
Shark Control Program manager Tony Ham said the program was introduced in 1962 following a spate of fatal shark attacks off Queensland beaches.
“Shark control equipment is strategically placed off 85 beaches along the Queensland coast,’’ Mr Ham said.
“Most of these beaches also have the added protection of having lifesavers or lifeguards on duty.’’
For more information about the Shark Control Program visit the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb.
Media:
Minister office 32396530
Shark Control program Manager 3224 2286